Tübingen, 22.04.2022

A calorie-reduced diet cannot only delay the development of metabolic diseases, but also has a positive effect on the immune system. Researchers have now shown for the first time that this effect is mediated by an altered gut microbiome*, which slows down the deterioration of the immune system in old age (immune senescence). The study has been published in ‘Microbiome’.

Potsdam-Rehbrücke, 21.04.2022

The lipid metabolism plays an important role in the development of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. However, little is known about the molecular relationships. Using lipidomics, a modern analytical method, the team led by Dr. Fabian Eichelmann from DIfE and DZD identified those lipids that are statistically associated with cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. In addition, the scientists found that a diet with an increased proportion of unsaturated fatty acids (FAs) leads to a reduction in risk-associated lipids and an increase in low-risk lipids. The findings were published in the journal ‘Circulation’.

Düsseldorf, 11.04.2022

An analysis of current projections of the worldwide number of people with diabetes shows that the predicted increase will be reached considerably sooner than assumed on the basis of the projection models. This indicates that the sharp increase in diabetes that is already expected in the coming decades will be even greater.

Neuherberg, 07.03.2022

The identification of subgroups in diabetes and prediabetes, the development of new drugs for the treatment of obesity, insights into how lifestyle controls our genes – these are just some examples of research findings which in the future can benefit people with diabetes. At the German Congress of Endocrinology (March 16-19), researchers from the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) will present 'Diabetes Research – Patient-Focused Precision Medicine' in a symposium on March 17.

Tübingen, 25.02.2022

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become an epidemic, similar to the non-communicable diseases cancer, obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In a review article in ‘The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology’, Norbert Stefan and Kenneth Cusi first highlight the extent to which NAFLD and diabetes jointly occur worldwide. Then they address the major mechanisms that are involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and type 2 diabetes and discuss whether these mechanisms place NAFLD in an important position to better prevent and treat non-communicable diseases and the communicable disease COVID-19. Finally, using a holistic approach, integrating knowledge from early childhood development to older age, they propose solutions how this knowledge can be used for personalized prevention and treatment of NAFLD in the future.

Potsdam-Rehbrücke, 22.02.2022

Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease are preceded by metabolic alterations. A current study by the DZD and DIfE indicates that specific lipid molecules (ceramides*), which are produced when the body metabolizes fats, are involved in the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The study also establishes a link between an unhealthy diet and unfavorable ceramide levels in the blood. This could explain, for example, why the risk of diabetes increases with frequent consumption of red and processed meat. As potential biomarkers, ceramides could enable more precise dietary approaches for the prevention of cardiometabolic diseases. The results of the study have now been published in ‘Nature Communications’.

Düsseldorf, 18.02.2022

A study by the German Diabetes Center has not only found that diabetes increases the risk of erectile dysfunction in men, but also that there are differences in its prevalence between different diabetes subgroups. What exactly are the findings? Does this allow conclusions to be drawn about future therapies?

Neuherberg, 14.02.2022

It only takes a blood test to detect the autoimmune disease type 1 diabetes in children at an early stage and, thus, prevent severe metabolic derailments. Helmholtz Munich offers the world's largest population-based screening for type 1 diabetes in children, the Fr1da study. Researchers have now published a detailed cost analysis about the testing strategy. Introducing screenings into standard care would presumably cost the health care system in Germany 22 euros per child screened.

Tübingen, 11.02.2022

The Heart and Diabetes Center NRW (HDZ NRW) has honored Professor Norbert Stefan with the “glucohead 2021” award for his creative work in the field of diabetology. He received the award in particular for his research and educational work on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and its involvement in the development of diabetes and the metabolic syndrome.

Neuherberg, 08.02.2022

Voluntary fasting, for example interval fasting, is beneficial to health for many people, depending on their individual condition. For example, controlled periods of starvation can prevent and improve diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Researchers have now found that the immune system plays an important role in ensuring the positive effects of fasting on our bodies. The new findings will help develop more effective therapies based on fasting.

Neuherberg, 03.02.2022

Data is not only the answer to numerous questions in the business world; the same applies to biomedical research. In order to develop new therapies or prevention strategies for diseases, scientists need more and better data, faster and faster. However, the quality is often very variable and the integration of different data sets often almost impossible. With the Computational Health Center at Helmholtz Munich, one of Europe's largest research centers for artificial intelligence in medical science is now being established under the direction of Fabian Theis.

Düsseldorf, 21.01.2022

Prediabetes should not simply be understood as a "last warning" before the actual di-agnosis of diabetes because already the preliminary stage of diabetes mellitus increas-es the risk of serious complications. This was brought to light by an umbrella review conducted by the German Diabetes Center. What exactly are the results?

Neuherberg, 14.01.2022

Exercise causes the body to release hundreds of different signals that improve our health in many different ways. Now scientists have mapped these intrinsic signals and how they are released by different organs in mice following exercise at different times of the day. Their ‘Atlas of Exercise Metabolism’ is a major step toward developing more effective exercise therapies that are timed to the body clock.