Migraine sufferers seem less likely to develop diabetes type II, while some people who develop diabetes, become less sensitive to migraines. So, how possibly can migraine attacks and diabetes be related to each other?

It turned out that both diseases type II have 2 common peptides, CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide) and PACAP (pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide). In case of migraines, these peptides, located in the nervous system, play a key role in causing the migraine pain. According to a recent study, the same CGRP and PACAP can influence production of insulin in mice model by regulating the amount of secreted insulin or by increasing the number of pancreatic cells that produce it.

The researchers showed that CGRP lowered levels of mouse insulin 2, the analog of human insulin. This may counter the insulin resistance that develops in diabetes type II. This disease is also related to aggregation of peptide amylin that may contribute to the beta cell damage causing diabetes type II. Because both amylin and insulin are secreted by beta cells, the researchers believe that the use of CGRP could limit both insulin and amylin production and help the cells normalize their function.

PACAP, another peptide, also seems to regulate insulin, but in a glucose-dependent manner. It promotes rapid reproduction of beta cells, rather than making existing beta cells to work harder.

Because of their role in migraine and diabetes, at first sight CGRP and PACAP might seem to be an attractive target for therapies to treat either of these conditions. However, the researchers warn that despite the positive results, you can’t inject CGRP and PACAP into the body to avoid diabetes type II because these peptides cause migraine pain. On the other hand, anti-CGRP and anti-PACAP treatments for migraine could increase the risk of diabetes. In addition, these peptides are involved in numerous other beneficial functions in the body, such as blood vessel dilation…Something to be aware of!

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