Key points from article :
4,500 middle-aged adults on the Malmö diet and cancer study were analysed by Researchers in Sweden and China
The highest levels of prostasin in the blood were almost twice as likely to have diabetes.
People in the top quarter for prostasin levels turned out to be 76% more likely to develop diabetes than those in the bottom quarter.
"Prostasin was a potential new “risk marker” for diabetes, but also death from cancer, particularly in people with high blood sugar," said Dr Xue Bao, first author.
Those in the top quarter for prostasin levels were 43% more likely to die from cancer than those in the bottom quarter.
With every doubling in prostasin concentration, the risk of cancer death rose by 24% in those without high blood sugar, and by 139% in those with high blood sugar.
Prostasin levels probably rise in an attempt to suppress high blood sugar levels but are not able to stop or reverse the damage caused.
"... this protein could provide a possible shared link between the two conditions" said Prof Gunnar Engström, a senior author.
"... need to examine what extent prostasin is related to these diseases or whether it is a valuable marker of increased disease risk".
Findings may not apply to wider populations and the study was unable to distinguish between different types of diabetes.
"further research (required) to find out ... direct role (of prostasin) in the development of type 2 diabetes and poorer cancer outcomes in people with high blood sugar levels".
Research at Nanjing University medical school published in Diabetologia
