A while ago scientists discovered a link between type-2 diabetes and the dysfunction of the immune system, which is often accompanied by excessive weight.
Now from a series of articles published in Nature Medicine we learn that some long-known asthma and allergy drugs have been found effective in treating type-2 diabetes and obesity. Some antihistamines that has been here for some time like Zaditor (ketotifen fumarate) and cromolyn were used on mice and were found able to control the progress of these conditions.
The answer to that lies in the abdomen.
The abdominal fat tissues of humans (and mice) of average weight contain a significant quantity of mast cells that bring on the symptoms of allergy and asthma.
The abdominal fat of humans (and mice again) who suffer from diabetes and overweight carries macrophages – immune cells – also in great quantities.
Lead researcher Steven Shoelson believes that herein lie the possible roots of type-2 diabetes. “It’s possible that the inflammation caused by macrophages results in insulin resistance,” he says.
Controlling the quantity and functioning of mast cells, zaditor and cromolyn fight allergic conditions, and simultaneously they can bring down type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Source of the image: flickr.com/photos/kruggg6.
