Dolphins are the only ******* apart from humans to develop a natural form of type 2 diabetes, according to new research. The discovery offers important insights into a disease that is linked to one in 20 deaths.
American scientists have discovered that bottlenosed dolphins show a form of insulin resistance very similar to that seen in human diabetes. Unlike patients with the condition, the marine mammals can turn this state on and off when appropriate, so it is not normally harmful.
The findings indicate that dolphins could provide a valuable ****** model for investigating type 2 diabetes, which promises to advance research into new therapies. If researchers can learn how the ******* switch off their insulin resistance before it becomes damaging, it could be possible to develop a cure.
