Research team prevent diabetes amongst rats

A team of researchers at the University of Utah indicates that inhibiting the production of a particular fat molecule known as ceramide could prevent obese rats from developing type 2 diabetes . Despite being at a very early stage, the study holds potential to influence the future treatment and prevention of type 2.
The findings were published in the journal Cell Metabolism. The molecule, ceramide, comes from saturated fats and generally accumulates in those people who have insulin resistance (a common pre-cursor to diabetes.) Ceramide is known to affect insulin sensitivity, and the study team has shown that this holds true amongst overweight lab rats.
Using a number of different drugs and genetic methods to prevent synthesis of ceramide, the research team blocked diabetes amongst a number of rats. The conclusion of the scientists is that ceramide is particularly important for health and the prevention of diabetes. Unfortunately, the compound they tested has potential for adverse side effects amongst humans.