February 16, 2025
Diabetes

Why People with Diabetes Are More Prone to Respiratory Risks

New research conducted at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel has shed light on why people with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing severe lung disease, particularly in the case of viral infections like influenza and COVID-19. The study, published in the journal Nature, found that high levels of blood sugar disrupt the function of key cell subsets in the lungs, impairing the immune response and leaving individuals with diabetes more susceptible to severe respiratory infections.

Researchers led by Prof. Eran Elinav and his team at the Weizmann Institute conducted experiments on multiple mouse models of types 1 and 2 diabetes. The diabetic mice were exposed to viral lung infections, and similar to humans with diabetes, they developed severe and fatal lung infections. The immune response in the diabetic mice was impaired, leading to uncontrolled infection, lung damage, and eventual death.

To investigate the underlying cause of this heightened risk, the researchers analyzed the gene expression on the cellular level in the lung cells of infected diabetic and nondiabetic mice. They discovered a dysfunction of certain lung dendritic cells in the diabetic mice, which are responsible for orchestrating a targeted immune response against infections. High blood sugar levels disrupt these dendritic cells, preventing them from initiating the necessary immune response to fight off infections effectively.

Further experiments revealed that high sugar levels in diabetic mice disrupted the normal function of lung dendritic cells by altering sugar metabolism. This led to the accumulation of metabolic byproducts that disrupted gene expression regulation and resulted in abnormal immune protein production.

To counteract the harmful effects of high sugar levels in the lung dendritic cells, the researchers explored two potential solutions. First, tight control of blood sugar levels through insulin supplementation restored the capacity of dendritic cells to generate a protective immune response against lung infections. Second, administration of small molecules that reverse the regulatory impairment caused by high sugar also restored the normal function of dendritic cells and enabled them to mount an effective immune response.

The findings of this research have significant clinical implications, as more than 500 million people worldwide are affected by diabetes, and its incidence is expected to rise. Controlling blood sugar levels in diabetic individuals may help reduce their susceptibility to respiratory infections. Additionally, small molecule drugs that correct gene alterations caused by high sugar levels could potentially prevent or alleviate severe lung infections in diabetic patients. Targeted delivery of these treatments through inhalation could enhance their effectiveness while minimizing adverse effects.

These insights provide a better understanding of why individuals with diabetes are more prone to respiratory risks and offer potential strategies for preventing severe lung infections in this population. Future human clinical testing will be necessary to validate these findings and explore their applicability in medical treatments.

*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it

Ravina
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Ravina Pandya, a content writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemicals and materials, etc. With an MBA in E-commerce, she has expertise in SEO-optimized content that resonates with industry professionals. 

Ravina Pandya

Ravina Pandya, a content writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemicals and materials, etc. With an MBA in E-commerce, she has expertise in SEO-optimized content that resonates with industry professionals. 

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