Gene trait may increase diabetes risk

EDMONTON, Alberta, Jun 29, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- A University of Alberta study has discovered a variation of a common gene trait that could increase risk of type 2 diabetes.

The study, published in July issue of Diabetes, said the team discovered 2 million Canadians who may be at an increased risk of the disease if they carry a particular type of a common genetic trait known as a polymorphism.

Authors Peter Light and Michael Riedel said saturated and trans fats are much more effective activators of a specific potassium channel found in the pancreas, which reduces insulin secretion from the pancreas and increases blood sugar levels when activated. They said the effect is amplified in the polymorphic potassium channel.

"We're suggesting that people with this specific potassium channel polymorphism -- about 2 million Canadians -- may be more susceptible to type 2 diabetes if they have a high fat diet or are overweight, two of the biggest risk factors for type 2 diabetes," Light said. "This may explain why 20 percent of type 2 diabetic Caucasians carry two copies of this polymorphism in their genes compared to only 10 percent in the non-diabetic Caucasian population."