We already know that insulin resistance is a condition when one's body does not respond to insulin resistance anymore, thereby increasing blood sugar levels. When this happens, the condition leads to type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance may be brought about by obesity.

Now, two genes that may play a role in insulin resistance have been identified by a team from University of Alabama at Birmingham, namely: NR4A3 and NR4A1.

The two genes seem to boost insulin resistance in muscle tissue, according to the researchers - opening new ways to search treatments for type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

According to W. Timothy Garvey, M.D., professor and chair of the Department of Nutrition Sciences at UAB and the lead investigator of the study:

Our findings show that these two proteins help sensitize muscle to insulin, promoting glucose uptake and thus keeping glucose levels within healthy limits.

This gives science a new target for diabetes research by suggesting new pathways for drug development that will help boost the presence or activity of NR4A3 and NR4A1."

Findings of the said study were published recently in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

Find more details from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

[In Photo: JBC Nov-2-2007 issue cover]