Glucose. It means sugar, right? It’s in your body, right? But how does it get transported, and how does your body know how much it needs to transport? Most importantly, why should you care? Read on.

A group of scientists at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered a mechanism, enzyme Protein Kinase C (PKC),  for how the body adjusts glucose (sugar) levels. When this mechanism is abnormal, it can result in diabetes, cancer, and rare genetic diseases. The scientists published their findings in the journal Molecular Cell.

Dr. Richard Wang, senior author of the study,tells the Medical Xpress about the findings: “Precisely controlling glucose transport is critical to health. This process is defective in a variety of disease including diabetes and cancer.” The Medical Xpress describes the enzyme as a thermostat for glucose levels. It can determine when the levels need to be adjusted, to keep the room (human body) comfortable and functioning.

Scientists of course have known for years how glucose was transported throughout the body, but being able to pinpoint the controller opens up treatment possibilities for Glut1 deficient patients.

Based on the UT study detailed in the Medical Xpress, the researchers were able to observe a Glut1 deficient body will actually impair the PKC regulation. Basically, these patients thermostat goes a little awry and the glucose levels fluctuate rapidly which can result in seizures.

Thanks to this group of scientists, diagnosing, treating, and preventing cancer, diabetes, and other diseases are getting much easier.

It may sound like medical mumbo jumbo, but any new information regarding Glut1 is a win for the community. Pass this info along by clicking a share button below.