The relevance of GABA for diabetes highlighted in two new studies

Dynamic interactions between the nervous system, hormones and the immune system are normally ongoing, but in diabetes the balance is disturbed. Two studies published in EBioMedicine by an international research team from Uppsala University highlight the importance of the neurotransmitter beta-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

GABA is synthesized by an enzyme called GAD from the amino acid glutamate in nerve cells but also in the in . GAD has two forms, GAD65 and GAD67. In type 1 , beta cells are destroyed while type 2 diabetes is associated with impaired beta cell function and insulin resistance. Patients with type 1 diabetes often have antibodies to GAD65. However, there has been no strong link between GABA and type 2 diabetes until recently, when it was shown that GABA is important for maintaining and potentially also in the making of new beta cells.

The new studies reinforce the image of GABA's importance for both types of diabetes. The scientists used ion channels that GABA opens, the GABAA receptors, as a biological sensor for GABA, and were able to determine the effective, physiological GABA concentration levels in human pancreatic islets. They also showed that these ion channels became more sensitive to GABA in type 2 diabetes and that GABA helps regulate insulin secretion (Article 1).

The scientists then isolated immune cells from human blood and studied the effects GABA had on these cells. They show that GABA inhibited the cells and reduced the secretion of a large number of inflammatory molecules (Article 2).

The anti-inflammatory effect of GABA may be vital in the pancreatic islets since as long as GABA is present, toxic can be inhibited, thus increasing the survival of the insulin-secreting beta cells. When the beta cells decrease in number and disappear from the islets as happens in Type 1 diabetes, then GABA consequently is also decreased and, thereby, the GABA protective shielding of the beta cells. When inflammatory molecules increase in strength, it may weaken and even kill the remaining beta cells.

In ongoing studies, the scientists now focus on clarifying the GABA signaling mechanisms in the and in the human . They will also study how existing drugs can increase, decrease or mimic the effects of GABA, says Bryndis Birnir.

More information: Amol K. Bhandage et al, GABA Regulates Release of Inflammatory Cytokines From Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells and CD4 + T Cells and Is Immunosuppressive in Type 1 Diabetes, EBioMedicine (2018). DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2018.03.019

Journal information: EBioMedicine
Provided by Uppsala University
Citation: The relevance of GABA for diabetes highlighted in two new studies (2018, April 5) retrieved 29 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-04-relevance-gaba-diabetes-highlighted.html
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