Project summary
Research shows that having too much fat inside the pancreas is one factor that can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes. Dr Al-Mrabeh is exploring how excess fat affects different cell types in the pancreas. This could shed light on new treatments that target toxic fats and help people with type 2 diabetes go into remission - or prevent or delay type 2 in people at risk.
Background to research
We know that it’s possible for some people with type 2 diabetes to go into remission by losing weight.
But it’s unclear how weight loss may lead to remission.
To learn more, we need to study the cells of the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ made of clusters of insulin-producing beta cells, and other cells that produce enzymes which help digestion.
Dr Al-Mrabeh has previously found that living with obesity leads to excess fat in the pancreas, which is 30-40% smaller overall and irregularly shaped. This means that its beta cells produce less insulin, which can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes.
But research also suggests that weight loss can reduce levels of fat inside the pancreas and restore its usual size. Now, Dr Al-Mrabeh wants to investigate how having less fat in the pancreas plays a role in type 2 remission. To do so, he’ll pinpoint which cell types in the pancreas are damaged by fat - and how.
Research aims
Dr Al-Mrabeh is seeing whether excess fat in or around the pancreas changes the behaviour of its cell types. He’ll compare how cells from the pancreases of people with and without type 2 diabetes work under ideal conditions. He’ll then study the cells in an environment which mimics type 2 diabetes.
Dr Al-Mrabeh will repeat this process to compare how well the cells work in each environment. He’ll also investigate how toxic fats affect the cells’ functions, which could help identify sites in the cells for drugs to target.
Potential benefit to people with diabetes
Whilst we know it’s possible for some people to go into remission from type 2 diabetes through weight loss, there’s still lots we don’t know about remission. Dr Al-Mrabeh’s research could reveal how excess fat in different cell types of the pancreas is linked to remission and help find ways to block these toxic fats. This could help us find new and improved ways for people living with type 2 diabetes go to into remission, and lead to new treatments to delay or prevent type 2 in those at high risk.
