ABSTRACT
Objective: Adenylate cyclase 3 (Adcy3) has been linked to both obesity and major depressive disorder (MDD). Our lab identified a protein-coding variant in the 2nd transmembrane (TM) helix of Adcy3 in rats, and similar obesity variants have been identified in humans. The current study investigates the role of a TM variant in adiposity and behavior. Methods: We used CRISPR-SpCas9 to mutate the TM domain of Adcy3 in WKY rats (Adcy3mut/mut). We also created a heterozygous knockout rat in the same strain (Adcy3+/-). Wild-type (WT), Adcy3+/-, and Adcy3mut/mut rats were fed a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. We measured body weight, fat mass, glucose tolerance, food intake, metabolism, emotion-like behaviors, and memory. Results: Adcy3+/- and Adcy3mut/mut rats weighed more than WT rats due to increased fat mass. There were key sex differences: adiposity was driven by increased food intake in males but by decreased energy expenditure in females. Adcy3mut/mut males displayed increased passive coping and decreased memory while Adcy3mut/mut females displayed increased anxiety-like behavior. Conclusions: These studies show that the ADCY3 TM domain plays a role in protein function, that Adcy3 may contribute to the relationship between obesity and MDD, and that sex influences the relationships between Adcy3, metabolism, and behavior.
ABSTRACT
AIM: The purpose of the study was to explore the description of diabetes burnout in parents of children with type 1 diabetes (T1D). BACKGROUND: Parents of children with T1D struggle to balance diabetes management and typical parenting challenges, which may lead to diabetes burnout. Although diabetes burnout is a familiar concept in public forum and diabetes literature, science on diabetes burnout in parents is lacking. METHODS: In this qualitative descriptive study, a systematic approach was used to search existing relevant YouTube videos about diabetes burnout produced by parents of children with T1D. Verbatim transcripts of 21 videos meeting inclusion criteria were analyzed using a qualitative content analysis approach. To summarize video characteristics, descriptive statistics were used. RESULTS: It identifies four primary themes related to diabetes burnout in this population: "exhaustion compounded by stress," "powerlessness to control diabetes," "grief for the loss of a normal life," and "coping strategies." CONCLUSION: The findings of this study may serve to clarify how parents of children with T1D may experience diabetes burnout. The findings may also inform diabetes care and illuminate the role of social media in improving family center support.
