Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Researcher Adds New Findings in the Area of Obesity and Diabetes (Deficiency of the hemoglobin-haptoglobin receptor, CD163, worsens insulin sensitivity in obese male mice).

A recent study conducted by researchers at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine has found that excessive iron accumulation in metabolic organs, such as adipose tissue, liver, and skeletal muscle, is associated with an increased risk of diabetes. The study focused on the role of the scavenger receptor CD163, which is present on tissue-resident macrophages and plays a significant role in iron homeostasis. The researchers discovered that the absence of CD163 worsened glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in obese male mice. This study highlights the importance of CD163 in anti-inflammatory and hemoglobin scavenging roles, and its absence can impair systemic insulin action in an obese setting. [Extracted from the article]