Sep 19, 2020
Without glycogen, we couldn't go
very far. Dr. Sullivan is a specialist in the glycogen molecule,
which stores glucose, our energy source. In this podcast, he
describes exciting discoveries and future research centered on
glycogen presence that might help explain the connection between
diabetes and kidney disease.
Listen and hear answers to these questions and more:
- How does diabetes affect the kidneys?
- How do glycogen molecules differ in the liver of diabetic patients and why is that important?
- What does glycogen do to the kidney that might lead to diabetic kidney disease stages?
Mitchell Sullivan is pursuing a
postdoc at the University of Queensland in a group that
investigates glycation, diabetes, and how diabetic bodily systems
handle extra glucose.
Dr. Sullivan in particular follows glycogen formation in the
organs. He's just setting out on a new study connecting diabetes
and kidney health by focusing on glycogen presence in the kidneys
of diabetics. Normally, glycogen is in the liver and muscle tissue,
waiting to supply us with different kinds of energy needs. But
microscopy shows glycogen in the kidneys of diabetic patients that
likely leads to damage and inflammation. The findings may lead to
better therapeutics and prevention measures, from a more effective
diabetes and kidney disease diet to medical
interventions.
Listeners will have the
privilege of hearing straight from Dr. Mitchell the hypothesis for
this study that's just begun. He explains with clarity why the
structure of this glycogen in diabetic kidneys differs from its
normal form and is significantly insoluble in this form.
Furthermore, it sticks together in clumps of starch-like granules
in the thick ascending limb of the nephron. He's investigating if
these cells that aren't accustomated to glycogen become overwhelmed
and the glycogen gets stuck, leading to damage and inflammation
that make for one of the common kidney failure causes.
What's most interesting is that his PhD work on glycogen in the
liver and muscle tissue of diabetics makes this hypothesis seem
more likely. Listen in to hear why that's the case and more about
this study that might bring scientists that much closer to
improving diabetes and kidney health.
To find out more about Dr.
Mitchell's work, search his name in research aggregates, see
his information page with Queensland University, and feel free to
email him: mitchell.sullivan@mater.uq.edu.au.
Available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2Os0myK