MyMetabolon Login
© 2021 Metabolon, Inc. All rights reserved.
Metabolon Metabolon
  • Metabolomics
    • About Metabolomics
    • Our Process
    • Technology & Knowledgebase
    • Quality Assurance
    • Setting the Standard: The 4Cs
    • Our Latest Insights
  • Solutions
    • Column 1
      • Products & Services
        • Global Metabolomics
        • Lipidomics
        • Targeted Assays
        • Microbiome
        • Study Design & Consulting
        • Sample Preparation & Handling
        • Study Success Sample Handling Kit
        • Reporting & Interpretation
        • Bioinformatics
        • MyMetabolon Client Portal
    • Column 2
      • By Research & Development Phase
        • Discovery & Target Selection
        • Lead Candidate Selection
        • Preclinical
        • Clinical Development
        • Manufacturing & Bioprocessing
    • Column 3
      • By Therapeutic Area
        • Cardiovascular Disease
        • COVID-19
        • Diabetes
        • Gastrointestinal
        • Liver Disease
        • Neuroscience
        • Oncology
        • Renal & Urological Disorders
        • Respiratory Disorders
    • Column 4
      • By Sector
        • Academic
        • Agriculture
        • Biotech / Pharmaceutical
        • Precision Medicine
        • Nutrition
        • Personal Care & Cosmetics
        • Population Health
        • Veterinary & Animal Health
  • Insights
    • Our Latest Insights
    • Blog
    • News & Events
    • Publications
  • Resources
    • Resource Library
    • Client Stories
    • COVID-19
    • Publications
  • Company
    • About Us
    • Working With Us (FAQ)
    • Leadership
    • Careers
    • Strategic Partnering
    • News & Events
    • Contact Us
MyMetabolon
Demo Our Data
Metabolon
Demo Our Data

Metabolomics Brings New Insights to Type 2 Diabetes Research

inDrug Development, Microbiome

Diabetes, a serious metabolic condition that results from higher than normal blood sugar levels, is a nationwide epidemic. According to the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, more than 30 million Americans and 422 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is the most common form of diabetes representing about 90% of diabetic cases, according to the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation. While adults are especially at risk for T2D, the disease can also affect children and young adults. T2D causes an impaired response to insulin; blood sugar levels are not adequately controlled, resulting in too much glucose in circulation and not enough glucose in tissues. Measuring changes in metabolites – small molecules present in the blood – using metabolomics could provide clues into how the disease develops and, subsequently, new treatments. Metabolomics enables simultaneous assessment of hundreds of compounds present in living systems, making it a critical tool that advances our understanding of disease mechanism and opens doors to identify novel targets and treatments.

Metabolon scientists are hard at work searching for new insights to aid in understanding mechanisms contributing to the development of T2D. Most recently, our technology contributed to the identification of a key gut microbiome-derived compound linked to insulin resistance. The study by Koh et al., identified an important connection between microbially produced compound and insulin resistance that helps us better understand how the gut microbiome affects their host’s physiology.

The human body is home to trillions of microorganisms known as the microbiome that live on our skin, in our mouth, nose and gastrointestinal tract. These microorganisms are vital to human health as they produce vitamins, contribute to food digestion and prevent pathogen colonization. Numerous studies have reported that diseases such as obesity and diabetes are associated with altered gut microbiota community structure. To identify factors that may be linked to abnormal activity of gut bacteria and trigger changes contributing to these metabolic diseases, in the Koh et al., study metabolomics was performed on plasma from subjects with T2D. Metabolomic profiling of these samples revealed that the microbiome-derived metabolite, imidazole propionate (ImP), was elevated in patients with T2D. Additionally, ImP-exposed mice showed impaired glucose tolerance. Researchers were able to mechanistically identify that ImP inhibited insulin signaling at the levels of insulin receptor substrate, which occurred through activation of mTORC1pathway. The damaged insulin signaling contributed to insulin resistance.

This work identifies an important connection between microbial activity in the gut, metabolite signaling and effects on host physiology. Metabolomics has provided another puzzle piece that will help researchers better understand how diabetes develops and how it can be treated. Improved understanding of gut microbiota metabolism linked to generation of ImP may also reveal new targets and lead to new treatments aimed to improve insulin signaling.

This study is just one example of how metabolomic profiling supports evolving perspectives by providing biological insights that drive scientific advancement. Metabolomics reveals biological insights otherwise unseen. By providing a better understanding of biology, we can unravel the mystery of human health and disease, and with a global capacity to conduct research and compare data, Metabolon can make connections where others can’t.

Disease processes are complex and we need new understandings to drive discoveries. These groundbreaking innovations can only occur through a deep understanding of the manifestation of living system – something only Metabolon can provide.

To learn more about how partnering with Metabolon can help you uncover actionable insights contact us at [email protected].

Back to the Blog

Contact Us

Request a quote for our services and get more information on sample types and handling procedures.

    Get a Project Quote
    • Adding Metabolomics to Genomics to tackle challenges in Lung Cancer
      Previous PostAdding Metabolomics to Genomics to tackle challenges in Lung Cancer
    • Next PostThe 4Cs of Metabolomics
      Adding Metabolomics to Genomics to tackle challenges in Lung Cancer

    Related Posts

    Event: Precision Medicine World Conference (PMWC)
    Events

    Event: Precision Medicine World Conference (PMWC)

    Metabolon Partnership with University of Maryland School of Medicine Amish Research Program Leverages Metabolomics to Identify Novel Biomarkers
    Company News

    Metabolon Partnership with University of Maryland School of Medicine Amish Research Program Leverages Metabolomics to Identify Novel Biomarkers

    Metabolon Expands Data Access Strategy to Include TwinsUK Registry
    Company News

    Metabolon Expands Data Access Strategy to Include TwinsUK Registry

    Metabolon Appoints New Vice President of Global Marketing, Supporting Commercial Product Expansion
    Company News

    Metabolon Appoints New Vice President of Global Marketing, Supporting Commercial Product Expansion

    Webinar: Integrated Multiomic Analysis for Disease
    Events

    Webinar: Integrated Multiomic Analysis for Disease

    Metabolomics in drug discovery: The missing piece for multi-omics data
    Events

    Metabolomics in drug discovery: The missing piece for multi-omics data

    How Metabolomics Can Raise the Bar in Drug Development
    Drug Development Working with Metabolon

    How Metabolomics Can Raise the Bar in Drug Development

    Metabolon Announces Chief Financial Officer Transition
    Company News

    Metabolon Announces Chief Financial Officer Transition

    Lunch and Learn: Applications of Metabolomics in Microbiome Research
    Events

    Lunch and Learn: Applications of Metabolomics in Microbiome Research

    Metabolon to Power Metabolomic Enriched Population Health Studies at FinnGen
    Company News

    Metabolon to Power Metabolomic Enriched Population Health Studies at FinnGen

    Metabolomics

    • About Metabolomics
    • Our Process
    • Technology & Knowledgebase
    • Quality Assurance
    • Setting the Standard: The 4Cs
    • Insights & Discoveries

    Solutions

    • Products & Services
    • By Research & Development Phase
    • By Therapeutic Area
    • By Sector

    Insights

    • Our Latest Insights
    • Blog
    • News & Events
    • Publications

    Resources

    • Resource Library
    • Client Stories
    • COVID-19

    Company

    • About Us
    • Working With Us (FAQ)
    • Leadership
    • Careers
    • Strategic Partnering
    • News & Events
    • Contact Us
    Metabolon - Logo - Enlightening Life

    Metabolon provides actionable biological insights to answer the toughest questions in life sciences research and drug development.

    © 2022 Metabolon, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy & Terms

    in
    Copy