Origins of diabetes traced to intestines by new study

The underlying causes of diabetes could be linked to changes taking place within the intestines, according to a new study.

Research using mice by the Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis has revealed that subjects with an inability to make fatty acid synthase (FAS) in the intestine are more likely to develop chronic inflammation in the gut, a key predictor of diabetes.

This leads to a degeneration of a key mucosal layer within the intestines and allows bacteria to invade the colon, creating inflammation that leads to insulin resistance and diabetes.

Previously, it was assumed that the causes of diabetes were linked to the pancreas and liver, but this new discovery could potentially challenge that long-held belief.

Dr Clay Semenkovich, principal investigator on the study, said: "When people become resistant to insulin, as happens when they gain weight, FAS doesn't work properly, which causes inflammation that in turn can lead to diabetes."

Diabetes is thought to affect around 2.8 million people in the UK, according to NHS data, with one million type 2 diabetes cases going undiagnosed.