Scientists from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (USA) have discovered that a high-sugar diet triggers brain insulin resistance in fruit flies. This situation leads to neurodegenerative diseases due to the inability to evaluate the waste products of the organ. Research results published In PLOS Biology.
To prove the relationship between excessive sugar consumption and a higher risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, scientists conducted an experiment involving fruit flies (Drosophila). They examined glial cells in animals fed a high-sugar diet. Glial cells are a collection of cells that support nerve tissue. These cells are known as “neuron helpers” that ensure their normal development and function.
It turns out that excess sugar leads to a decrease in PI3k levels in glial cells. The concentration of PI3k protein indicates how effectively cells respond to insulin. A low level indicates resistance to this hormone and glucose accumulation in the body. This pathology leads to the inability of glial cells to remove brain waste products – degenerated axons. Their accumulation can interfere with the normal functioning of neurons and trigger Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
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