KKG biomarkers for the subclassification of type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Head: Prof. Dr. Jochen Seißler
- Institution:Diabetes Center
We want to identify diagnostic parameters (biomarkers) that can already indicate an increased risk of type 2 diabetes in people with a normal sugar metabolism.
Project description:
Type 2 diabetes ("adult-onset diabetes") is a very common metabolic disease with life-threatening sequelae. Hereditary factors and environmental influences such as obesity, physical inactivity and smoking play a role in its development. The course of the disease is usually progressive from the time of diagnosis, which means that it becomes increasingly difficult to control therapeutically. It would therefore be very important to find people with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes while their sugar metabolism is still normal. Preventive measures could then begin much earlier and in a more targeted manner to prevent or at least delay the onset of the disease. However, no diagnostic parameters or "biomarkers" are yet available that would allow risk individuals to be identified so early.
Gestational diabetes is a disorder of sugar metabolism that occurs for a limited time during pregnancy. The cause is the increased need for insulin during this time. Women who develop gestational diabetes also have a significantly increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life, as the genetic basis for both disorders is very similar. In the years following "diabetic pregnancy," however, affected women initially have a normal sugar metabolism again.
The central project of the KKG is a clinical study with women who have had gestational diabetes. The assistance of these test subjects offers the unique opportunity to study individuals with an already proven risk of diabetes while their sugar metabolism remains unimpaired. This provides the basic requirements to be able to identify the biomarkers described in the first section.
Source: HMGU