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Joan Stephenson, PhD

JAMA. 2008;299(11):1252.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

Dysregulation of a gene that encodes an enzyme involved in lipid metabolism may contribute to hyperglycemia-induced insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes, reports a team of scientists from Sweden, Finland, China, Japan, and the United States (Chibalin AV et al. Cell. 2008;132:375-386).

The researchers discovered that expression of a "fat-burning" enzyme, diacylglycerol kinase (DGK), is reduced in muscle tissue of patients with type 2 diabetes who have high blood glucose. Studies in diabetic rodents found the animals had reduced levels of DGK protein and DGK activity, which could be restored with successful treatment of the animals' blood glucose levels. The researchers also found that mice genetically engineered to express reduced levels of DGK in muscle and fat developed impaired insulin sensitivity and obesity.

The findings "suggest a previously unrecognized role for DGK hyperglycemia-induced peripheral insulin resistance," the researchers noted. Because reduced DGK may . . . [Full Text of this Article]