American Diabetes Month

38 million Americans are currently living with diabetes (about 1 in 10), and about 90 percent of them have type 2 diabetes (CDC). 

Recently, Dr. Maria Kontaridis and her lab published a paper identifying a promising molecular target to protect the heart against damage caused by high-fat diet and obesity.

Dr. Kontaridis’ research highlights the protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP1B, a nodal enzyme involved in insulin signaling, as a key driver in maladaptive cardiac metabolism and dysfunction under dietary stress. This breakthrough finding suggests a promising new way to protect people affected by obesity and diabetes from serious heart problems.

An alarming 50 percent of Americans are on track to be classified as obese by the year 2030 (World Health Organization), including a disproportionate number of children, the urgency of this epidemic cannot be overstated. These findings have the potential to impact society significantly. These results position PTP1B as a potential therapeutic target for preventing heart disease in obese patients and those with diet-induced metabolic disorders. The team hopes this foundational research will pave the way for future clinical studies.

To learn more about Dr. Kontaridis’ latest publication, click here.