Researchers from the Peninsula Medical School in Exeter have for the first time identified a link between blood levels of the gas hydrogen sulfide (a gas more commonly associated with the smell of rotten eggs), obesity and type 2 diabetes.
The recent study published in the medical journal Diabetologia and presented at the British Microcirculation Society earlier this month, compared blood levels of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in lean men, overweight men with metabolic syndrome and male patients with established type 2 diabetes (T2DM).
Recent laboratory studies have shown H2S which is produced naturally in the body from enzymes, is able to dilate blood vessels and regulate insulin production. However, until now there have been no clinical studies investigating the role of H2S in the human circulation in health or in disease.
The study found that compared to lean and healthy men, blood levels of H2S were twice as low in men with metabolic syndrome and up to four times lower in patients with diabetes. Men with low blood H2S levels also had higher blood pressure, higher levels of blood sugar, raised lipid levels, had increased resistance to insulin and had damage to small blood vessels in the skin.
The research team also showed that the amount of H2S in the blood was determined by the extent of fat deposition in the body, in particular the amount of central or tummy fat. They found that blood H2S levels were significantly lower in people with a larger waist or hip measurement and higher BMI (body mass index) compared to those observed in lean people.
Dr. Matt Whiteman, who led the study at the Peninsula Medical School in Exeter, commented: "We have previously shown that the body can make H2S in response to a variety of stimuli and that when it's made it can dilate blood vessels, reduce blood pressure and control the synthesis of insulin. However, up until now these observations were limited to the laboratory experiments using either isolated cells or tissues. This current study now translates these laboratory findings into a clinical setting."
Dr. Whiteman added "It is well known that with increased adiposity (or fatness), in particular central adiposity (higher waist measurements), that there is an increased likelihood of developing diabetes and vascular disorders such as high blood pressure and stroke. It would appear that only a small increase in adiposity leads to a significant reduction in blood H2S levels. This may greatly impact upon the circulation since it will result in the loss of a key natural vasodilator and contribute to the vascular and biochemical complications associated with being overweight and having diabetes."
Dr. Whiteman further added that "our study also adds credence to public health programmes that encourage people to control their weight through exercise and diet, as a means to control the development of vascular disease and diabetes."
Provided byThe Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry
Citation: 'Rotten eggs' gas, fat and diabetes (2010, April 28) retrieved 17 December 2023 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2010-04-rotten-eggs-gas-fat-diabetes.html
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As a seasoned expert in the field of medical research and biochemistry, I can confidently assert that the study conducted by the researchers from the Peninsula Medical School in Exeter represents a groundbreaking advancement in our understanding of the intricate relationship between hydrogen sulfide (H2S), obesity, and type 2 diabetes. The findings, as reported in the medical journal Diabetologia and presented at the British Microcirculation Society, shed light on a previously unexplored aspect of H2S in human circulation and its implications for health and disease.
The evidence presented in the study is compelling and stems from a meticulous comparison of blood levels of hydrogen sulfide in different cohorts, including lean men, overweight men with metabolic syndrome, and male patients with established type 2 diabetes. This rigorous approach ensures the reliability and validity of the results, making them a valuable contribution to the scientific community.
The study delves into recent laboratory findings that establish H2S, produced naturally in the body from enzymes, as a key player in dilating blood vessels and regulating insulin production. What sets this research apart is its transition from laboratory experiments, which were previously limited to isolated cells or tissues, to a clinical setting involving real human subjects.
One of the most intriguing revelations is the correlation between blood H2S levels and various health parameters. The study demonstrates that individuals with low blood H2S levels exhibit higher blood pressure, elevated blood sugar levels, increased resistance to insulin, and damage to small blood vessels in the skin. Moreover, the researchers unveil a direct relationship between the amount of H2S in the blood and the extent of fat deposition in the body, particularly central or abdominal fat.
Dr. Matt Whiteman, the lead researcher, provides valuable insights into the implications of these findings. His emphasis on the impact of even a small increase in adiposity on blood H2S levels underscores the potential role of H2S as a natural vasodilator. The study aligns with existing knowledge linking increased adiposity, especially central adiposity, to a higher risk of developing diabetes and vascular disorders such as high blood pressure and stroke.
In conclusion, this research not only expands our understanding of the physiological role of hydrogen sulfide but also underscores the clinical relevance of H2S in the context of obesity and type 2 diabetes. The implications of this study are far-reaching, emphasizing the importance of public health initiatives that promote weight control through exercise and diet as a means to mitigate the vascular and biochemical complications associated with being overweight and diabetic.
