More than 3.5 million people were treated for diabetes in 2020 in France according to the Health Insurance website. Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by excess sugar in the blood and which leads complications acute, like hypoglycemia et hyperglycemia, but also chronic, mainly in the heart, arteries, eyes, nerves, or even the feet. To prevent the development of the disease or the appearance of possible complications, people with diabetes are encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle, with A balanced diet by avoiding sugar and saturated fats, practicing regular physical activity, and maintaining a normal weight.
But diabetes could also have long-term consequences on brain health. This was observed in a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, which takes place March 23-26, 2024 in San Antonio. The goal ? Analyze the links between type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. For their work, the scientists studied in diabetic mice how diet could influence the development of Alzheimer’s disease, focusing on the impact of a particular gut protein on the brain.
Development of Alzheimer’s in diabetics: the expression of an intestinal protein could be responsible
As a reminder, Alzheimer is a neurodegenerative disease that progressively affects many cognitive functions, such as memory, language, reasoning, and even learning. If age is the main risk factor according to Inserm, we must not neglect the weight that genetics, cardiovascular risk factors, or even poor lifestyle habits can play in the development of this disorder.
At the end of their observations, the researchers noticed thata high-fat diet suppressed the expression of the intestinal protein Jak3, and that mice deprived of this protein were affected by a cascade of inflammation, first in the intestine, in the liver, then to the brain. “Since the liver is the metabolizer of everything we eat, we believe that the path from gut to brain passes through the liver“, said in a press release Narendra Kumar, one of the authors of the study. In the end, these mice presented in the brain symptoms similar to those of Alzheimer’s diseasesuch as overexpression of beta-amyloid, hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, and signs of cognitive impairment.
Diabetes management: ways to limit the risk of developing Alzheimer’s
According to the study scientists, these results suggest thatit would be possible to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by properly controlling diabetes, or by avoiding it from the start. “We believe that diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease are closely linked, and that by taking steps to prevent or improve diabetes, we can prevent or at least significantly slow the progression of dementia symptoms in Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease“, declared Narendra Kumar. Indeed, the researchers suggest that this inflammatory process can be stopped through a healthy diet and blood sugar control as early as possible, especially in people with prediabetes.
Sources :
- How might diabetes lead to Alzheimer’s? Study suggests the liver is key – American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology annual meeting
- What is diabetes ? – Ameli.fr
- Diabetes – World Health Organization
- Alzheimer’s disease – Inserm
