Understanding early insulin changes linking obesity and type 2 diabetes

Marc Liesa

Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, M.P., Spain

Obesity and type 2 diabetes are closely linked, but the early biological changes connecting them remain poorly understood. Evidence suggests that, even before blood sugar levels rise, the pancreas may release too much insulin during fasting, contributing to insulin resistance, weight gain and the later development of diabetes. This project aims to investigate why this abnormal insulin release occurs and whether it can be reversed.

The researchers hypothesise that obesity changes the energy-transforming organelles inside insulin-producing cells, causing these pancreatic cells to release more insulin when they should remain quiet. A team with expertise in metabolism, diabetes, pancreatic cell biology and disease models will study how fats circulating in the body affect these organelles. Then, they will test whether mitigating these organellar changes induced by fats can normalise insulin secretion and reduce obesity and insulin resistance.

The project could open a new therapeutic approach focused on an early stage of type 2 diabetes, helping prevent or treat the disease before it becomes established, especially in people at risk of obesity-related metabolic disease.

Mechanisms of beta cell dysfunction caused by obesity and fatty acids

€499,622.00