Common variant in MTNR1B associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes and impaired early insulin secretion.

Genome-wide association studies have shown that variation in MTNR1B (melatonin receptor 1B) is associated with insulin and glucose concentrations. Here we show that the risk genotype of this SNP predicts future type 2 diabetes (T2D) in two large prospective studies. Specifically, the risk genotype was associated with impairment of early insulin response to both oral and intravenous glucose and with faster deterioration of insulin secretion over time.

Clinical risk factors, DNA variants, and the development of type 2 diabetes.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is thought to develop from an interaction between environmental and genetic factors. We examined whether clinical or genetic factors or both could predict progression to diabetes in two prospective cohorts.

Methods: We genotyped 16 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and examined clinical factors in 16,061 Swedish and 2770 Finnish subjects.

The place of sulfonylureas in the therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Sulfonylureas are still largely used for treatment of type 2 diabetic patients, and they still occupy a central position in many international therapy guidelines. More recently concern has been raised with respect to possible adverse effects associated with the use of these agents. Sulfonylureas are, indeed, believed to favor the development of hypoglycemia, to accelerate beta cell apoptosis and beta-cell exhaustion, and to impair endothelial function with increased risk for ischemic complications.