In a further step towards understanding the factors and treatment involved in the development of diabetes in cats and people, the Centre is partnering in a study with UQ’s Diamantina Institute and the Nippon University in Japan.  The study is specifically looking into the hormone “adiponectin”, which in one of its forms is believed to have a protective effect on type 2 diabetes. It comes as no surprise that there is a decrease in the concentration of this form in the blood of obese and diabetic people.  In stark comparison, when dogs become obese and insulin resistant, they do not develop type 2 diabetes.  This finding might be linked to the fact that the hormone levels of adiponectin do not change in dogs with obesity, and could possibly protect them against type 2 diabetes.  So far the results indicate that the differences in adiponectin function in different species might help explain the differences in susceptibility to type 2 diabetes.