12:45 PM
Wednesday 31 August 2022
A new study shows that a common type of herpes virus can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.
According to the “Russia Today” website, the recent study, conducted by researchers at Ludwig Maximilian University and Helmholtz Munich in Germany, followed previous research indicating that viruses (including rubella and hepatitis C) are linked to type 1 diabetes (an autoimmune disease). not related to obesity).
The researchers recruited more than 1,200 adults with normal blood sugar levels. Participants were tested for eight known herpes viruses, including herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 (HSV1 and HSV2, which cause cold sores and genital herpes, respectively), varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox and shingles), Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus. (It is widespread and usually less symptomatic but can cause flu-like symptoms.)
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) was very common, with 46% of participants testing positive for antibodies, an indication of previous infection, while 11% were positive for HSV 2. Most of them also had antibodies to more than one type of herpes virus. .
Seven years later, 364 of the study participants developed prediabetes. Those who initially tested positive for HSV2 were 59% more likely to develop prediabetes or diabetes than those who had no previous signs of herpes.
Those infected with CMV were 33% more likely to develop prediabetes or diabetes, according to the research paper published in the journal Diabetologia.
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The researchers did not find a link between type 2 diabetes and the herpes viruses that cause chickenpox, cold sores, or shingles.
Dr. Tim Wolfley, a neuroscientist and lead author of the study, told Good Health: “I think this is the first time that research has focused on how the herpes virus can trigger prediabetes, which leads to type 2 disease. Our research is new because we We previously checked to see if the subjects in the study had antibodies to different types of herpes viruses.”
He continued: “Many people do not know that they have had one or more types of herpes virus, but it is very common. While our study suggested that the incidence of prediabetes was explained mainly by age, body mass index, cholesterol and fasting glucose, both HSV2 ( HSV2) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) increase the risk.”
Previous research findings revealed that some viruses may reduce the number of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, or that viruses may turn off proteins that control how cells metabolize sugar and turn it into energy, which may explain how infection can be linked to type 2 diabetes.
The researchers noted that it is not yet clear whether preventing herpes virus infection can reduce the risk of developing diabetes.
“These findings highlight the link between viruses and diabetes (and prediabetes), and the need for further research to evaluate public health virus prevention strategies, including possibly the development of effective herpes virus vaccines,” said Dr. Wolfley.
Dr Faye Riley, Director of Research Communications at Diabetes UK, said: ‘Currently, the best way to reduce diabetes risk is to eat a healthy, balanced diet and get regular physical activity.