Posted on 02/29/2008 11:23:46 AM PST by null and void
US scientists have managed to rid diabetic mice of the effects of the disease using a cocktail of drugs.
The mice, who had type 1 diabetes, started producing their own insulin after taking a mixture of four drugs.
Previously the same team at Harvard University had only been able to stop the destruction of the cells which make insulin, not regenerate them.
But in a study reported in the New Scientist, they say adding another drug to the original cocktail did just that.
They now hope to start trials in humans.
Type 1 diabetes is usually managed through regular injections of insulin and until now, research into a cure has focused on transplanting the pancreatic beta cells which produce the hormone from donors.
However this is complicated - both because of the difficulty in finding a donor and the problems of rejection - so regenerating a person's own cells is seen as far better option.
Extra enzyme
Last year, Dr Terry Strom and his team demonstrated that they could stop the on-going destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in mice using a combination of three drugs, although they were unable to regenerate the cells.
However, when they added an extra ingredient - an enzyme called alpha 1 anti-trypsin - a significant rise in the number of beta cells was seen.
It is thought this extra drug may ease the inflammation of pancreas, a key feature of the disease.
"It would appear that by altering the inflammatory state that surrounds this autoimmune disease, you can create an environment that enables expansion of the beta cell mass," said Dr Strom.
"It is exciting that these drugs could stop the immune system from attacking insulin-producing cells, but it is too early to tell whether these cells recovered in the mice or if new cells were produced"
He added that it was too early to say whether the beta cells which had stopped making insulin had recovered, or whether new ones were being produced.
Dr Iain Frame, director of research at Diabetes UK said: "This could potentially be very important research in finding a better treatment for diabetes.
"More research is needed as initial studies have only been conducted in mice, but Diabetes UK is pleased that clinical trials are planned and look forward to hearing the results."
Au contraire! This is just the sort of basic science that they need to do if a cure for type 1 diabetes is going to be found. They have to do proof of principle in mammal experiments before the FDA will give an OK for testing in people.
ping
ping
As the parent of two Type 1's, I concur.
ROFLMAO!!!!
Looking forward to the day when I can throw away mine.
bump!
I’ll look forward to that day with you.
LOL! You crack me up.
Six other replies were posted to 'sarasota' to inform and educate on the difference between Type I and Type II diabetes.
You make no pretense and cut right to the chase. Best laugh I've had today.
Thanks for posting this. I have diabetes on both sides of my family. My uncle, a fit and athletic man, was reduced to years on dialysis and 2 amputations from diabetes. My mother seems to be handling hers well, w/no problems.
Yes, obesity doesn't help, but every Type II isn't obese and many obese people don't get diabetes. Genetics plays a large part and there is subtantial evidende that inflamation also plays a large part.
I'm sick of people saying that if you didn't gain weight you wouldn't be diabetic. Back when I was diagnosed they didn't talk about pre-diabetes and diet the way they do now. With my family history, if I had known what I do now, I would have been eating a diabetic diet even w/o a diagnosis, they way many docs suggest now.
Anyway, /rant. I'm just tired of people blaming diabetics for their disease.
As you may have learned from reading other posts, I stand corrected. And there’s really no need for name calling.
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