Search
What are you looking for?
Start main content

Press Releases

Press Releases

https://www.med.cuhk.edu.hk/press-releases/cuhk-research-explains-why-patients-with-cystic-fibrosis-often-develop-diabetes
https://www.med.cuhk.edu.hk/press-releases/cuhk-research-explains-why-patients-with-cystic-fibrosis-often-develop-diabetes

CUHK Research Explains Why Patients with Cystic Fibrosis Often Develop Diabetes

Recent research led by Professor CHAN Hsiao Chang, Li Ka Shing Professor of Physiology and Director of the Epithelial Cell Biology Research Centre at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), explains why patients with cystic fibrosis often develop diabetes.  The study also suggests a potential treatment strategy for cystic fibrosis associated diabetes.  The finding has been published in an international leading scientific journal, Nature Communications.

 

Diabetes mellitus or diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease with over 300 million people suffering worldwide, which could be either insulin insufficient (type 1 diabetes) or insulin resistant (type 2 diabetes). Insulin insufficiency or impairment in insulin-secreting pancreatic islet β-cells is also found combined with insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes.  However, the cause of insulin insufficiency remains unknown in many diabetic cases apart from the generally accepted cause of β-cell damage by autoimmunity.

 

Mutations of the gene encoding cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) are known to cause cystic fibrosis and epidemiological studies have shown that patients with cystic fibrosis often develop diabetes but the underlying reasons have been poorly understood.

 

The study, led by Professor CHAN Hsiao Chang at CUHK, reveals a previously unrecognized contribution of an anion channel CFTR to the function of pancreatic β-cells.  It demonstrates an important role of CFTR in insulin secretion and explains why patients with cystic fibrosis often develop diabetes.

 

The research further demonstrates that an experimental drug for the treatment of cystic fibrosis restores normal function of β-cells with this mutation, suggesting a potential treatment strategy for cystic fibrosis associated diabetes.  The findings also suggest that defects in CFTR expression and function may also underlie insulin insufficiency in many unexplained diabetic cases.

 

The research team led by Professor Chan has a long-standing interest in CFTR, particularly intrigued by how CFTR mutations lead to a range of disorders/diseases.  Their previous works published in highly visible scientific journals have also provided explanations on how CFTR defect results in infertility and ovarian abnormalities.

 

Recent research led by Professor CHAN

Recent research led by Professor CHAN (right) explains why patients with cystic fibrosis often develop diabetes.

The research team led by Professor Chan

The research team led by Professor Chan (front row, 2nd left) has a long-standing interest and achievement in CFTR research.

Professor CHAN Hsiao Chang

Professor CHAN Hsiao Chang, Li Ka Shing Professor of Physiology and Director of the Epithelial Cell Biology Research Centre, CUHK.

 

More Press Releases

A CU-led international study identifies metabolomic markers for diabetic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes

A CU-led international study identifies metabolomic markers for diabetic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes

Research
CUHK study shows few patients with type 2 diabetes can achieve diabetes  remission in real-world settings through weight loss at early stage and eventually stop medications

CUHK study shows few patients with type 2 diabetes can achieve diabetes remission in real-world settings through weight loss at early stage and eventually stop medications

Research
A major international study identifies biomarkers that enhance prediction accuracy of cardiovascular diseases in people with diabetes and have potential to change clinical practice

A major international study identifies biomarkers that enhance prediction accuracy of cardiovascular diseases in people with diabetes and have potential to change clinical practice

Research
CUHK Phase 1 Clinical Trial Centre celebrates 10th anniversary Centre has completed 150 early-stage studies of novel drugs for cancer, diabetes and more

CUHK Phase 1 Clinical Trial Centre celebrates 10th anniversary Centre has completed 150 early-stage studies of novel drugs for cancer, diabetes and more

Research
CUHK proves the eHealth App’s Health Management module helps promote  self-management of diabetes

CUHK proves the eHealth App’s Health Management module helps promote self-management of diabetes

Research
CUHK identifies a new genetic marker to predict heart disease risk in people with diabetes Study finding highlights the potential of precision medicine in diabetes

CUHK identifies a new genetic marker to predict heart disease risk in people with diabetes Study finding highlights the potential of precision medicine in diabetes

Research
New initiative launched to support and empower young people with diabetes

New initiative launched to support and empower young people with diabetes

Health Campaign
CUHK study shows prediabetes in young people predicts a 90% lifetime risk of diabetes and is linked to nearly 70% higher risks of cardiovascular diseases

CUHK study shows prediabetes in young people predicts a 90% lifetime risk of diabetes and is linked to nearly 70% higher risks of cardiovascular diseases

Research
CUHK survey finds half of pregnant women have excessive sodium intake during early pregnancy

CUHK survey finds half of pregnant women have excessive sodium intake during early pregnancy

Research
CUHK study supports continuation of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASi) in patients with type 2 diabetes and advanced chronic kidney disease to reduce major cardiorenal complications

CUHK study supports continuation of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASi) in patients with type 2 diabetes and advanced chronic kidney disease to reduce major cardiorenal complications

Research
CUHK first discovers obese patients with diabetes and fluctuating blood glucose control had a high cancer risk while patients with diabetes treated with a common class of blood pressure lowering drug had a low cancer risk

CUHK first discovers obese patients with diabetes and fluctuating blood glucose control had a high cancer risk while patients with diabetes treated with a common class of blood pressure lowering drug had a low cancer risk

Research
International study led by CU Medicine highlights significant global incidence of newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes among adults much higher than previously believed

International study led by CU Medicine highlights significant global incidence of newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes among adults much higher than previously believed

Research
CUHK study shows DNA telomere length can predict the decline in kidney function in diabetes patients

CUHK study shows DNA telomere length can predict the decline in kidney function in diabetes patients

Research
CU Medicine Professor Ronald Ma Receives Prestigious Research Award from  The Asian Association for The Study of Diabetes

CU Medicine Professor Ronald Ma Receives Prestigious Research Award from The Asian Association for The Study of Diabetes

Awards and honors
CUHK Study Shows Regular Exercise Is a Safe Diabetes Prevention Strategy For People Living in Polluted Regions

CUHK Study Shows Regular Exercise Is a Safe Diabetes Prevention Strategy For People Living in Polluted Regions

Research
CU Medicine Studies Reveal Diabetes Death and Complication Rates Declining - but Not in the Young

CU Medicine Studies Reveal Diabetes Death and Complication Rates Declining - but Not in the Young

Research
CU Medicine Researchers Discover Shortened DNA Telomere Length as a Useful Biomarker to Identify Patients with Diabetes at High Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

CU Medicine Researchers Discover Shortened DNA Telomere Length as a Useful Biomarker to Identify Patients with Diabetes at High Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Research
CUHK Researchers Uncover Diabetes as a Potential Risk Factor for COVID-19,  and Possible Mechanisms

CUHK Researchers Uncover Diabetes as a Potential Risk Factor for COVID-19, and Possible Mechanisms

Research
Two CUHK Scholars from the Faculty of Medicine Receive Croucher Senior Medical Research Fellowships

Two CUHK Scholars from the Faculty of Medicine Receive Croucher Senior Medical Research Fellowships

Awards and honors
Chinese Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome have 4-fold Higher Risk of Developing Diabetes

Chinese Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome have 4-fold Higher Risk of Developing Diabetes

Research
CUHK Medicine Professor Juliana Chan Receives International Honour for  Outstanding Research and Care in Diabetes

CUHK Medicine Professor Juliana Chan Receives International Honour for Outstanding Research and Care in Diabetes

Awards and honors
CUHK Study Reveals 1 in 6 Diabetic Patients Project Rapid Renal Function Decline

CUHK Study Reveals 1 in 6 Diabetic Patients Project Rapid Renal Function Decline

Research
CUHK Recommends Oral Glucose Tolerance Test for All Pregnant Women Study Reveals Children of Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Have 3-Fold Diabetes Risk

CUHK Recommends Oral Glucose Tolerance Test for All Pregnant Women Study Reveals Children of Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Have 3-Fold Diabetes Risk

Research
CUHK Discovers Fatty Liver Causing Severe Liver Fibrosis or Cirrhosis in 1 Out of 5 Diabetic Patients

CUHK Discovers Fatty Liver Causing Severe Liver Fibrosis or Cirrhosis in 1 Out of 5 Diabetic Patients

Research
CUHK Study Reveals Peer Support Can Reduce Hospital Admission of Distressed Diabetes Patients

CUHK Study Reveals Peer Support Can Reduce Hospital Admission of Distressed Diabetes Patients

Research
Risk of Diabetes Patients Having Depression Doubles That of the General Public CUHK Advocates Timely Assessment of Diabetes Patients’ Mental Health Conditions

Risk of Diabetes Patients Having Depression Doubles That of the General Public CUHK Advocates Timely Assessment of Diabetes Patients’ Mental Health Conditions

Research
CUHK Advocates New Approach for Diabetes Care

CUHK Advocates New Approach for Diabetes Care

Research
CUHK Found Common Defect in Male Infertility Associated with Poor Sperm Motility and Genital Tract Infection

CUHK Found Common Defect in Male Infertility Associated with Poor Sperm Motility and Genital Tract Infection

Research
CUHK Research Reveals Young People with Normal Body Weight May Also Suffer from Diabetes Timely Treatment within 5-Year Golden Period may Help Prevent Complications

CUHK Research Reveals Young People with Normal Body Weight May Also Suffer from Diabetes Timely Treatment within 5-Year Golden Period may Help Prevent Complications

Research
CUHK Research Shows 60% Diabetic Patients Have Poor Sleep Auriculotherapy Helps Improve Sleep Quality and Glycaemic Control

CUHK Research Shows 60% Diabetic Patients Have Poor Sleep Auriculotherapy Helps Improve Sleep Quality and Glycaemic Control

Research
CUHK and Shanghai Jiao Tong University Discover Genetic Predictor of Diabetes in Chinese Patients

CUHK and Shanghai Jiao Tong University Discover Genetic Predictor of Diabetes in Chinese Patients

Research
CUHK Develops an Automatic Retinal Image Analysis System to Help Diabetes Patients and Elderly Prevent Stroke

CUHK Develops an Automatic Retinal Image Analysis System to Help Diabetes Patients and Elderly Prevent Stroke

Research

Our Expert List

Many experts under the Faculty of Medicine are available for media interview.
Please click here for the expert list or contact us.