Posted on 11/30/2016 8:15:09 PM PST by nickcarraway
A longer-lasting form of a hormone found in platypus venom could pave the way for new treatments for type 2 diabetes in humans, according to researchers at the University of Adelaide.
Key points:
A longer lasting version of GLP-1 has been found in the gut and venom of the platypus
GLP-1 stimulates the release of insulin to lower blood glucose
Researchers hope the venom could be used to treat type 2 diabetes in humans
The team found both the platypus and echidna produce a long-lasting form of the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).
GLP-1 is normally secreted in the gut of both humans and animals, stimulating the release of insulin to lower blood glucose levels.
But GLP-1 typically degrades within minutes.
Lead researcher Frank Grutzner said his team was surprised to find the hormone was produced not only in the platypus' gut, but also in its venom.
"We've found that GLP-1 is degraded in monotremes [platypus, echidna] by a completely different mechanism," Professor Grutzner said.
"Further analysis of the genetics of monotremes reveals that there seems to be a kind of molecular warfare going on between the function of GLP-1, which is produced in the gut, but also surprisingly in their venom."
The platypus has spurs on its hind limbs for delivering venom to its competitors during mating season.
Associate Professor Briony Forbes said the two different functions of GLP-1 in the platypus — in the gut as a regulator of blood glucose, and in the venom to fend off other males — have seen the hormone evolve.
"The function in venom has most likely triggered the evolution of a stable form of GLP-1 in monotremes," she said.
"Excitingly, stable GLP-1 molecules are highly desirable as potential type 2 diabetes treatments." Professor Grutzner said GLP-1 was also discovered in the venom of echidnas, but unlike the platypus, they do no have a spur to deliver the poisonous fluid.
He said more research was needed to find how the treatment would work in humans.
"I think the next step is really to do some experiments in an established medical animal system like the mouse for example, and study how that variant is working in that mouse model and take it from there."
Perry to the rescue!
Perry! Perry the Playpus!
That’s great. Now all I need to do is find a platypus in mating season.
Couldn’t they find some more common, easier to acquire naturally occurring medicine, like, perhaps ground-up grizzly bear toenails?
I didn’t know echidna’s had venom - knew about the platypus.. My 23 y.o. son in law has type 1 - wears a pump. :-/
I’m currently getting by on 2000 mg of metformin. Numbers in the 110-125 range most days.
Platypus have venom?
That’s great. I was diagnosed about 2 months ago, and I took immediate and aggressive action with respect to my diet. Lost 10 pounds and this is the best I’ve felt in years. Plus, my divorce earlier this year helped my to shed about 150 pounds of dead weight.
I’m due for a checkpoint at the end of DEcember. It was a very scary 12.1 Givwen my low day-to-day blood glucose numbers, it’s probably well south of the original number. I was having a very bad time, and I’m glad I caught it in time.
Funny thing about this is that I belatedly realized that I had been suffering with mild symptoms of this for years. But some internal switch flipped about 3-4 months ago. I was on the panic pee train (once every 30 minutes or so) and worse, my vision began to go. It’s pretty much back to normal now, but I’m going to wait another few months before I redo my specs. I also experienced deep fatigue. My get up and go just got up and went.
At his point, I think I’ve got a handle on it. I’m far more active and I’ve become very carb-conscious. Thank the heavens above that I can still go for a good bowl of pho from time to time.
Never knew ‘platypi’ had venom. Learn something new every day.
:( Hope you find relief, Viking.
There’s already a cure for Type 2 diabetes. The low carb, high fat keto diet had been normalizing blood sugar levels and keeping people healthy for years now. Most people who get on the diet are able to come off mems in 6 months to a year.
Or the venom of a weird creature, in a pinch.
>A lot of people don’t want any work, just a pill.
>Or the venom of a weird creature, in a pinch.
Keto’s not work, just a better diet for people with insulin resistance. Useful for losing weight and general inflammation reduction as well(Also completely fixes non-alcoholic fatty liver). Anti-diabetic drugs loose their effectiveness over time and never fully stop the damage from high blood glucose.
Here’s a study on it:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16318637
>>The LCKD improved glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes such that diabetes medications were discontinued or reduced in most participants. Because the LCKD can be very effective at lowering blood glucose, patients on diabetes medication who use this diet should be under close medical supervision or capable of adjusting their medication.
https://www.reddit.com/r/keto/wiki/keto_in_a_nutshell
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.