Diabetes risk may be ‘creeped’ into our DNA because ‘two sets of genes increase the likelihood of disease’

The main genetic causes of type 2 diabetes have been discovered by British scientists – suggesting that risk of the disease is ‘ingrained in our DNA’.

The landmark study found that having two sets of genes increases the risk of developing the disease.

First, people with a genetic makeup that makes them more susceptible to fat storage in the liver have a higher risk of developing the disease.

For every 5% increase in liver fat, the risk of type 2 diabetes increased by 27%. Research also shows that genes associated with having a smaller pancreas increase the risk of developing the condition.

The pancreas is an organ of the digestive system that produces insulin, the hormone that controls blood sugar levels in the body.

Key genetic causes of type 2 diabetes have been discovered by British scientists – revealing disease risk ‘is firmly embedded in our DNA’

Diabetes UK says the study, which looked at data and MRI scans from 32,859 people in the UK, is the first to show that the risk of the condition ‘is tied to our genetics’.

The charity says the findings, published in the journal Diabetes Care, could lead to more tailored ways to reduce diabetes risk in people with genes linked to high levels of liver fat. and smaller pancreas.

There are now 4.1 million people in the UK diagnosed with diabetes, which can lead to complications including heart attack, stroke, amputation and blindness.

Nine out of ten people with diabetes have type 2, which is linked to obesity and an unhealthy lifestyle. Type 1 diabetes is an incurable autoimmune disease that usually develops in childhood.

Lead author of the study, Dr Hanieh Yaghootkar, from Brunel University, west London, said: ‘People with type 2 diabetes often have excess fat in the liver and pancreas, two vital organs. in maintaining normal blood sugar levels.

‘The genetic analysis we used in this study is the best possible method to test this relationship and we have provided evidence for a causal role of liver fat in diabetes risk. type 2 road.

‘Our results encourage better treatment of people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and provide evidence of the many benefits of weight loss and better diabetes risk screening in these people.

‘We also show that people who carry a gene that makes them more likely to have a smaller pancreas have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

There are now more than 4.5 million Britons living with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and 13.6 million are thought to be at risk of developing it.

‘We hope that by better characterizing fat in different organs and different organ sizes in the future, we can provide a better understanding of the mechanism underlying the disease. type 2 diabetes.’

Dr Lucy Chambers, head of research communications at Diabetes UK, said: ‘This pivotal study, funded by Diabetes UK, has established for the first time that liver fat and pancreatic size directly contribute part increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and this is difficult. into our genetics.

‘However, it is important to remember that a complex combination of genetic, biological and environmental factors contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes.

‘Knowing your overall risk of type 2 diabetes is the first step to accessing support, such as prevention programmes, to help reduce your risk.’

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