Recipients
Kaushik Desai
Type 2 diabetes, which normally affects middle-aged and older adults, is affecting more and more children. The increase in the number of children and adults across North America who are suffering from diabetes is attributed to a diet high in carbohydrates. Dr. Kaushik Desai is conducting research to find out how high dietary carbohydrates cause type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes, which is more common, differs from typical type 1 diabetes because it is relatively resistant to the hormone insulin, which is used by diabetics to help the body use glucose efficiently. In type 2 diabetes, insulin does not function properly and glucose levels rise. Dr. Desai has found there is a corresponding high level of another reactive chemical called methylglyoxal. When produced in excess, the body cannot rid itself of this chemical and it combines with many proteins and enzymes, preventing them from working normally. Dr. Desai believes this chemical could be one of the causes of type 2 diabetes.
Dr. Desai is studying the effects of elevated levels of both glucose and methylglyoxal, and the underlying molecular mechanisms. He has identified three different drugs that can bind methylgoyxal and inactivate it, and is assessing the potential for these drugs to prevent methylglyoxal and high glucose from causing type 2 diabetes. Based on this research, Dr. Desai believes that a safe drug can be developed to prevent type 2 diabetes in people with high-carbohydrate diets.
