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A Zebrafish Model of Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolic Memory
Published on: February 28, 2013
The major diabetes prevention trials
Jaakko Tuomilehto1, Jaana Lindström
1National Public Health Institute, Diabetes and Genetic Epidemiology Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Health Promotion, Mannerheimintie 166, Helsinki 00300, Finland. jaakko.tuomilehto@ktl.fi
Abstract:
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a devastating disease with multiple complications affecting many tissues, most notably the cardiovascular system. To be able to prevent a chronic disease such as T2D, certain requirements have to be met. Knowledge about its natural history with a preclinical phase, modifiable risk factors, effective and simple screening tools to identify high-risk subjects, and effective intervention that is affordable and acceptable are necessary. In addition, the efficacy of the intervention has to be proven under a clinical trial setting. Several major lifestyle intervention trials have been successfully carried out, with consistent results: the risk of T2D in high-risk subjects can be halved, the effect of lifestyle changes is rapid, and benefits are similar in different ethnic groups. Thus, the prevention of T2D is possible in most high-risk subjects, but how to achieve this at the population level remains a major challenge.
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