Epigenetics and Exercise in Type 2 Diabetes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exercise and Metformin in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Impact on Selective DNA Methylation Patterns - preliminary investigation
IRAS ID
274016
Contact name
Gareth Davison
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Ulster University
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
The three corner stones of clinical care for type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients are improved diet, exercise and medication. Metformin is a widely prescribed first line intervention drug for the treatment of T2D, this is due in part to its effectiveness in reducing blood glucose and low risk of side effects. Exercise has many health benefits which allows T2D sufferers to better regulate blood glucose levels including the activation of cellular adaptations resulting in better glucose uptake from the blood.
There is growing interest in the role of changes in epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation levels and adaptations seen as a result of both exercise and the antidiabetic drug metformin. DNA methylation occurs when a methyl group attaches to a cytosine within the DNA sequence, this biological marker is associated with the regulation of genes. Differences in DNA methylation are associated with changes in gene expression and protein production in response to both environmental and pharmacological factors. This mechanism for adaptations may contribute to positive changes observed within the physiological changes caused through exercise and metformin usage.
We are especially interested in the drug metformin in combination with exercise as they both active the same glucose uptake pathway (AMPK). To see direct links between exercise and metformin use on DNA methylation pattern changes at selected genes, we have designed a study which will include exercise interventions of a T2D cohort. Groups will be separated depending on whether the participants are actively taking metformin or not, those who are not on metformin will be used as a control group. We hypothesise T2D patients on metformin will show changes in DNA methylation patterns when compared to those not prescribed metformin and the addition of an exercise intervention will lead to increased changes. This will be tested in the current study.
REC name
HSC REC B
REC reference
20/NI/0001
Date of REC Opinion
30 Jan 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion