Medical Bulletin 02/November/2023

Here are the top medical news of the day:

Are high insulin levels linked to increased pancreatic cancer risk, study finds

A new study from the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Medicine reveals a direct connection between high insulin levels, which are common among individuals with obesity and Type 2 diabetes, and pancreatic cancer. The research shows that excessive insulin levels can overstimulate pancreatic acinar cells, responsible for producing digestive juices, leading to inflammation that transforms these cells into precancerous cells.

This research primarily focused on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common and highly aggressive form of pancreatic cancer, with a five-year survival rate of less than 10 percent. While it was already known that obesity and Type 2 diabetes increased the risk of pancreatic cancer, the precise mechanisms behind this connection remained unclear. The study highlights the role of insulin and its receptors in this process.

Reference: Hyperinsulinemia acts via acinar insulin receptors to initiate pancreatic cancer by increasing digestive enzyme production and inflammation, Cell Metabolism, DOI 10.1016/j.cmet.2023.10.003

Warning labels on meat may reduce meat consumption, new study suggests

A recent study conducted by researchers at Durham University indicates that cigarette-style graphic warning labels on meat products could reduce meat consumption and have beneficial effects on public health and carbon footprint reduction in the UK. The study evaluated various warning labels warning about climate damage, health implications, and pandemic risks related to meat consumption. Results showed that all warning labels, when accompanied by a graphic image and text, discouraged people from choosing meat-based meals, reducing selections by 7 to 10 percent.

Lead researcher Jack Hughes, a PhD student at Durham University, explained that warning labels have effectively reduced smoking and the consumption of sugary drinks and alcohol. Implementing warning labels on meat-containing products could be a national policy to contribute to achieving net-zero emissions and supporting public health goals.

The study was published in the academic journal Appetite.

Reference: DURHAM UNIVERSITY, Appetite

Is high metabolism an early sign of Alzheimer's disease? Study finds

Researchers from Karolinska Institutet have identified a potential early sign of Alzheimer's disease - a metabolic increase in the hippocampus, a region of the brain. Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, affecting thousands of people each year. The researchers used mice to observe metabolic changes that occurred in the brain during the early stages of Alzheimer's development.

The increase in metabolism in young mice was followed by synaptic changes caused by disruptions in the cellular recycling system known as autophagy. Detecting metabolic changes may offer a diagnostic factor for the early detection of Alzheimer's before the onset of symptoms, and it could be essential for timely intervention with emerging treatments.

Reference: “Mitochondrial hypermetabolism precedes impaired autophagy and synaptic disorganization in App knock-in Alzheimer mouse models.” Luana Naia, Makoto Shimozawa, Erika Bereczki, Xidan Li, Jianping Liu, Richeng Jiang, Romain Giraud, Nuno Santos Leal, Catarina Moreira Pinho, Erik, Berger, Victoria Lim Falk, Giacomo Dentoni, Maria Ankarcrona, Per Nilsson. Molecular Psychiatry. doi:10.1038/s41380-023-02289-4