Type 2 Diabetes and Its Etiology Research Paper

Type 2 Diabetes

Disease phenotype and genotype

Although several major risk factors (particularly obesity/overweightness) have been identified for diabetes mellitus type 2’s (T2D) development, not much information is available on its etiology. Environmental as well as genetic elements play a central role, with disease risk probably a reflection of a multifaceted relationship between the two. Specific T2D epidemiology elements, the extensive susceptibility to it, growth in susceptibility among individuals of particular ethnicities, and the more recent well-defined linkage between disease risk and low weight at birth have triggered multiple theories. Such theories strive towards explaining the disease’s abovementioned key epidemiological facets, in addition to broadening insights into its etiology. A common theme in the thrifty phenotype and genotype theories is the idea that T2D susceptibility might point towards prior nutritional conditions. The latter theory holds that patients’ nutritional history supports genetic polymorphisms that increase likelihood of disease diagnosis. On the other hand, the former theory posits that early adverse nutritional situations may make people vulnerable in later life (Lindsay, 2003).

The pathophysiological processes of the disease

T2D is characterized by various intracellular insulin activity-related deficits; of these, the most prominent one is reduced insulin receptor activation through tyrosine phosphorylation stimulation. This accounts for endogenous insulin’s reduced capacity when it comes to increasing tissue glucose acceptance (especially within muscles) and suppressing hepatic glucose production for the postprandial plasma glucose increases (which is a common phenomenon among diabetics).

Free adipose cell-secreted fatty acids that are produced on account of enhanced lipolysis can aggravate insulin resistance as well, via the inhibition of phosphorylation and glucose transport, decreased glycogen production and glucose oxidation rates, greater secretion of apolipoprotein B and a growth in hepatic lipase activity. Persistently enhanced levels of free fatty acids prevent beta cells from secreting insulin and tend to lower liver and muscle insulin sensitivity (Codario, 2011).

Genetic predispositions and genetic tendencies

Environmental as well as genetic determinants trigger T2D development. Scholars have discovered a linkage between numerous gene mutations and increased susceptibility to diabetes. While not every individual with a mutation develops the disease, within several diabetics, at least one mutation does exist. Differentiating between environmental and genetic risk may be challenging. Environmental risk is usually shaped by an individual’s household. For instance, a household that upholds healthful eating practices will probably pass such practices on to their children. Meanwhile, genetics contributes substantially to deciding weight and one cannot ascribe diabetes susceptibility solely to behavior (Winter, 2016).

Research into twins indicates a potential relationship between genetics and T2D. Up to now, many mutations demonstrate impacts on T2D susceptibility. Individual genes normally play a small role. But added individual mutations in an individual elevate risks. Generally, genetic mutations within genes that participate in the function of controlling body glucose (e.g., genes controlling glucose synthesis, insulin secretion and regulation, sensing of body glucose levels, etc.) may exacerbate T2D diagnosis vulnerability. T2D-connected genes include:

· TCF7L2: This gene impacts the generation of insulin and the production of glucose

· ABCC8: This is responsible for aiding in the insulin regulation process

· CAPN10: This gene is linked to susceptibility to diabetes mellitus type 2 among Mexican-Americans

· GCGR: This is a glucagon hormone that takes part in the function of glucose regulation

· GLUT2: This gene facilitates glucose movement into a person’s pancreas (Winter, 2016)

Any patterns of inheritance

Diabetes mellitus type 2 lacks an explicit inheritance pattern; however, several people diagnosed with the condition come with a family history of diabetes. Susceptibility to T2D development aggravates as more family members develop the disease. Though this growth in vulnerability is perhaps, partly, on account of…