NutritionNerd
Bronze Member
I have been researching biology of stress responses for a while now and this particular avenue is one I hope someone eventually looks at for PTSD.
There is an enzyme called 11βHSD1 which is responsible for converting cortisone (the inactive form) to the cortisol (the active form). This particular enzyme has become a target for research in Type 2 diabetes medications. The Incyte company has successfully completed phase II trials for a drug called INCB13739. Results published 2010 showed an improvement in glucose control, lower cholesterol and weight loss.
Although cortisol levels are not necessarily elevated in PTSD there is a mechanism by which the stress causes type 2 diabetes in some genetic types. Glucocorticoids interfere with insulin binding in cells thereby causing elevation of circulating glucose. They can also increase muscle catabolism. So you can wind up with type 2 diabetes symptoms from having PTSD. Overall PTSD causes the liver to increase it's output of glucose as well.
There is an enzyme called 11βHSD1 which is responsible for converting cortisone (the inactive form) to the cortisol (the active form). This particular enzyme has become a target for research in Type 2 diabetes medications. The Incyte company has successfully completed phase II trials for a drug called INCB13739. Results published 2010 showed an improvement in glucose control, lower cholesterol and weight loss.
Although cortisol levels are not necessarily elevated in PTSD there is a mechanism by which the stress causes type 2 diabetes in some genetic types. Glucocorticoids interfere with insulin binding in cells thereby causing elevation of circulating glucose. They can also increase muscle catabolism. So you can wind up with type 2 diabetes symptoms from having PTSD. Overall PTSD causes the liver to increase it's output of glucose as well.
