A new research led by Professor John Nolan of Trinity College Dublin and St James's Hospital, Dublin, might spell potential benefits for young adults, aged between 18 and 25 years, suffering from Type 2 diabetes.

Practically the most common type of diabetes, Type 2 diabetes results from the body ‘too little’ production of insulin; as well as an improper use of the insulin secreted. The occurrence of Type 2 diabetes is becoming increasingly common among the youth because of lifestyle factors like diet, obesity, and lack of physical activity.

The findings of the new study, published in the online edition of the journal Diabetes Care, reveal that new mechanisms in muscle cells for explaining severe insulin resistance, which not only diminishes the body’s ability to respond to the effects of insulin, but also reduces its response to aerobic exercise in young obese Type 2 diabetes patients.

Commenting on the findings, Nolan said that “obese young patients with Type 2 diabetes have abnormal function of key mitochondrial genes and proteins. Mitochondria are the energy centres in cells and these abnormalities contribute to insulin resistance and a severely blunted response to physical exercise.”

With Nolan further noting the benefits of aerobic exercise in the prevention and treatment of Type 2 diabetes in middle-aged and older people, the findings of the study can help develop more specific treatments for the youth affected by the disease.