Satya Dash on erythritol and cardiometabolic disease; Jeffrey Hodgin and Alan Attie on genetic analysis of obesity-induced diabetic nephropathy in BTBR mice; and revisiting Frans Schuit’s 1998 “Classic in Diabetes” on glucagon biology

Welcome to the February 2024 episode of DiabetesBio—the American Diabetes Association’s podcast for its flagship research publication, Diabetes. In this episode of DiabetesBio, Drs. Kirk Habegger, Darleen Sandoval, and Kevin Williams discuss the latest and greatest content in the February 2024 issue of Diabetes. 

2:25: To kick things off, Darleen and Kirk are joined by Dr. Satya Dash of University Health Network and the Banting & Best Diabetes Centre, University of Toronto. Dr. Dash is the senior author of “Erythritol as a Potential Causal Contributor to Cardiometabolic Disease: A Mendelian Randomization Study.” Do low-calorie sweeteners possibly contribute to cardiometabolic disease? Listen to hear about the results of Dr. Dash’s study. This article can be freely accessed at https://doi.org/10.2337/db23-0330. 

14:52: Next, the Big 10 is well represented when Darleen and Kirk meet with Drs. Jeffrey Hodgin (University of Michigan) and Alan Attie (University of Wisconsin) to discuss their fascinating collaboration on their “Genetic Analysis of Obesity-Induced Diabetic Nephropathy in BTBR Mice.” Drs. Hodgin and Attie’s study can be freely accessed at https://doi.org/10.2337/db23-0444. 

36:51: Sweet talk! Kevin introduces the first installment of the journal’s “Classics in Diabetes” series. This new format brings timeless articles into the spotlight and showcases their value for today’s scientists. The first installment, “GPCR Promiscuity Reshapes Islet Physiology” (https://doi.org/10.2337/dbi23-0014), was co-authored by Diabetes Associate Editor Jonathan Campbell and Frans Schuit and appears in the September 2023 issue of the journal. This commentary explores the work of Dr. Schuit, its implications for the understanding of diabetes, and how it laid the foundation for a rethinking of a traditional role of glucagon. Here, in this enlightening discussion, Dr. Schuit takes us through the historical context that led to the hypothesis and conclusions of his January 1998 classic, “Dual Glucagon Recognition by Pancreatic β-Cells via Glucagon and Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptors” (https://doi.org/10.2337/diab.47.1.66), and Dr. Campbell explains how rediscovering the concepts and findings of Dr. Schuit’s work has informed his current research. Drs. Schuit and Campbell conclude the discussion by sharing their thoughts on glucagon research and diabetes treatment. 

To learn more about Diabetes and DiabetesBio, please visit diabetesjournals.org/diabetes. Thank you for listening, and don’t forget to smash that “follow” button!