A study conducted by the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in March 2020, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows that an enzyme, SITRI, which is associated with regulation of metabolic activities and ageing, is directly controlled by glucose. SIRT 1 deacetylates proteins that contribute to cellular regulation. If the control of glucose, is disturbed, it can lead to a diabetic-like state. Whereas, excess feeding and sustained low levels of SIRT1 may lead to obesity and enhanced ageing.
Key Highlights of the Report
Some of the key highlights of the report are as follows:
(i) The glucose controls the functions of SIRT1, which in turn, maintains everyday feed-fast cycles, the metabolism of which is largely taken care of by the liver.
Many metabolic disorders occur due to high calorie content in the body, or wrong feeding regimen. Every organism has evolved to follow a basic pattern known as feed-fast cycle and then alternately fasting.
(ii) In the fed state, glucose puts a check on the activity of SIRT 1 but when thin check is not there, SIRT 1 activity increases and results in hyperglycemia in a fasted state. So, both over-activation and under-activation of this process could result in disorders, or diseases. Thus, it is necessary to maintain a balance between glucose and fat metabolism.
There is active research to identify drugs to activate SIRT 1, the cost of uncontrolled overactivation of SIRT 1 has not been investigated especially because it decreases in a healthy individual in a fed state. The study might be useful in handling lifestyle disorders and ageing-related problems.
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Diabetes mellitus (DM), commonly known as diabetes, is a group of metabolic disorders, characterised by a high blood sugar level over a prolonged period of time. Diabetes is due to either the pancreas not producing enough insulin, or the cells of the body not responding properly to the insulin produced. Diabetes is of three types—(i) Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in which the loss of beta cells is caused by an autoimmune response, the cause of which is unknown. (ii) Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), which begins with insulin resistance, a condition in which cells fail to respond to insulin properly. Excessive body weight and insufficient exercise are the most common causes. (iii) The third type is called gestational diabetes which occurs when pregnant women without a previous history of diabetes develop high blood sugar levels.
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