Gill, V. “Dolphins have diabetes off switch.” BBC News. February 20, 2010. BBC MMX [Internet]. [accessed Feb 20, 2010] Available from:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/science/nature/8523412.stm
Dolphins have diabetes off switch
New findings from scientists at the US National Marine Mammal Foundation indicate that bottlenose dolphins exhibit insulin resistance, similar to human diabetes. The difference is that in dolphins, this resistance is switched on and off. It is hoped that researchers can find a human equivalent to the “off switch” in dolphins.
Dolphins in a San Diego study were fed snacks continuously throughout the day, but not fed at night. Blood samples taken both during the day and after the overnight fast showed that the changes in the dolphins’ blood chemistry mimicked that in humans with diabetes. They found that insulin, which reduces glucose levels, had no effect on dolphins during the periods of fasting. In the morning, after being fed, dolphins switch back to their non-fasting state, automatically controlling blood glucose levels.
Evolution may explain how these mammals developed this mechanism in order to cope with a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet of fish. Their large-sized brains require sugar, but since their diet is very low in sugar, they developed a way to conserve small levels present in their bodies. Other fish with smaller brains do not appear to have this mechanism, so the big brain may be a key factor in its development. However, it is suggested that even dolphins could potentially develop diabetes if fed a diet high in sugar.
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