Posted on 12/15/2006 8:44:37 AM PST by kellynla
In a discovery that has stunned even those behind it, scientists at a Toronto hospital say they have proof the body's nervous system helps trigger diabetes, opening the door to a potential near-cure of the disease that affects millions of Canadians.
Diabetic mice became healthy virtually overnight after researchers injected a substance to counteract the effect of malfunctioning pain neurons in the pancreas.
"I couldn't believe it," said Dr. Michael Salter, a pain expert at the Hospital for Sick Children and one of the scientists. "Mice with diabetes suddenly didn't have diabetes any more."
The researchers caution they have yet to confirm their findings in people, but say they expect results from human studies within a year or so. Any treatment that may emerge to help at least some patients would likely be years away from hitting the market.
But the excitement of the team from Sick Kids, whose work is being published today in the journal Cell, is almost palpable.
"I've never seen anything like it," said Dr. Hans Michael Dosch, an immunologist at the hospital and a leader of the studies. "In my career, this is unique."
Their conclusions upset conventional wisdom that Type 1 diabetes, the most serious form of the illness that typically first appears in childhood, was solely caused by auto-immune responses -- the body's immune system turning on itself.
They also conclude that there are far more similarities than previously thought between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, and that nerves likely play a role in other chronic inflammatory conditions, such as asthma and Crohn's disease.
The "paradigm-changing" study opens "a novel, exciting door to address one of the diseases with large societal impact," said Dr. Christian Stohler, a leading U.S. pain specialist and dean of dentistry at the University of Maryland, who has reviewed the work.
"The treatment and diagnosis of neuropathic diseases is poised to take a dramatic leap forward because of the impressive research."
About two million Canadians suffer from diabetes, 10% of them with Type 1, contributing to 41,000 deaths a year.
Insulin replacement therapy is the only treatment of Type 1, and cannot prevent many of the side effects, from heart attacks to kidney failure.
In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to shift glucose into the cells that need it. In Type 2 diabetes, the insulin that is produced is not used effectively -- something called insulin resistance -- also resulting in poor absorption of glucose.
The problems stem partly from inflammation -- and eventual death -- of insulin-producing islet cells in the pancreas.
Dr. Dosch had concluded in a 1999 paper that there were surprising similarities between diabetes and multiple sclerosis, a central nervous system disease. His interest was also piqued by the presence around the insulin-producing islets of an "enormous" number of nerves, pain neurons primarily used to signal the brain that tissue has been damaged.
Suspecting a link between the nerves and diabetes, he and Dr. Salter used an old experimental trick -- injecting capsaicin, the active ingredient in hot chili peppers, to kill the pancreatic sensory nerves in mice that had an equivalent of Type 1 diabetes.
"Then we had the biggest shock of our lives," Dr. Dosch said. Almost immediately, the islets began producing insulin normally "It was a shock ? really out of left field, because nothing in the literature was saying anything about this."
It turns out the nerves secrete neuropeptides that are instrumental in the proper functioning of the islets. Further study by the team, which also involved the University of Calgary and the Jackson Laboratory in Maine, found that the nerves in diabetic mice were releasing too little of the neuropeptides, resulting in a "vicious cycle" of stress on the islets.
So next they injected the neuropeptide "substance P" in the pancreases of diabetic mice, a demanding task given the tiny size of the rodent organs. The results were dramatic.
The islet inflammation cleared up and the diabetes was gone. Some have remained in that state for as long as four months, with just one injection.
They also discovered that their treatments curbed the insulin resistance that is the hallmark of Type 2 diabetes, and that insulin resistance is a major factor in Type 1 diabetes, suggesting the two illnesses are quite similar.
While pain scientists have been receptive to the research, immunologists have voiced skepticism at the idea of the nervous system playing such a major role in the disease. Editors of Cell put the Toronto researchers through vigorous review to prove the validity of their conclusions, though an editorial in the publication gives a positive review of the work.
"It will no doubt cause a great deal of consternation," said Dr. Salter about his paper.
The researchers are now setting out to confirm that the connection between sensory nerves and diabetes holds true in humans. If it does, they will see if their treatments have the same effects on people as they did on mice.
Nothing is for sure, but "there is a great deal of promise," Dr. Salter said.
I'm off to eat Mexican!!
On another note, being a culture full of type 2's lends itself to economic incentive to cure it.
But on the other hand, as an always struggling diabetic, I'm always amazed at all the people out there making a living on my condition:)
certainly not as risky as using stem cells from another human being to implant into a person. The anti-rejection drugs a person would have to take, the chance for uncontrolled (read malignent) growth, and the ethics of stem cells will sooner or later come to the fore.
Yeah, eh?
Sir Banting Frederick Grant Banting discoverer of Insulin, was born November 14, 1891, on his family's farm in Alliston, Ontario. He attended Alliston Continuation School and completed his medical studies at the University of Toronto Medical School in 1916. He established a surgical practice in London, Ontario, supplementing his income as a medical demonstrator at the University of Western Ontario.
In London he conceived the technique which might permit isolation of the anti-diabetic component of the pancreas. He returned to the University of Toronto in 1921 to conduct experiments on the pancreas at the labs of Dr. J. R. MacLeod. By the time the summer had ended, he and Charles Best had isolated Insulin. They were successful in testing their extract on diabetic dogs. Dr. J.B. Collip joined the team and developed the process by which Insulin could be purified and processed in sufficient amounts for clinical trials. The first human test was conducted in 1922 with spectacular results and the formula was given gratuitously to the University of Toronto in trust for the benefit of humanity.
Fame came quickly to the soft-spoken Banting who won the Nobel Prize for Medicine because of his discovery. Many honours followed, including knighthood, and Banting continued to work on further research and co-ordinated the National Wartime Medical Research effort. His efforts were cut short by a fatal crash in Newfoundland February 21, 1941.
On May 1, 2003, Sir Frederick Banting, Dr. Charles H. Best and Dr. James Collip were honoured posthumously at a ceremony in Akron, Ohio, by the National Inventors Hall of Fame and inducted into the Inventors Hall of Fame for their discovery, and as pioneers in using Insulin to treat diabetes.
While Insulin is not a cure, this medical discovery continues to save millions worldwide. Today, we are still conducting research for a cure to this dreaded disease and other related illnesses.
a company has developed an implantable chip which constantly measures glucose levels and can be red via a scanner type device. This will help in monitoring levels for those who do not like to stick themselves 4,5,6 times a day
I just got a brand spankin' new Paradigm. Love it. It's my third Minimed pump.
I've always felt my pancreas was just misunderstood.
When capsicum comes in contact with the skin it causes an increase of blood circulation to the area, which is one reason it has been used to help treat ulcers and heal wounds. When Hannibal crossed the Alps with his army, they sprinkled capsicum into their boots to increase circulation and stop their feet from freezing.
According to my herb books: Capsaicin fights cancer by preventing carcinogens from binding to DNA, "where they trigger processes that cause lung and other cancers". This doesn't mean chiles are a cancer treatment, but can help to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.
However.... the following snippit has a section in bold that explains the cancer info and capsium.
snip
There is a special neurotransmitter in our nerves which transmits signals of pain, so it is called substance P. It has been found that the capsaicin of capsicum depletes the nerves of substance P, thus greatly reducing signals of pain. That is why capsium was used as an old remedy for toothache and in painful injuries. Another modem discovery is that while capsaicin causes a local burning sensation, it stimulates the brain to release endorphins in the brain. Endorphins, create a feeling of great well-being. At least one authority believes this explains why some people seem addicted to eating hot peppers, they are addicted to the endorphin high it gives them.
Several medical studies have shown that capsicum increases the level of fibrinolytic factors in the blood very rapidly. Fibrinolytic factors dissolve blood clots. This effect is very rapid, but subsides within another 30 minutes. However, when taken on a daily basis, there is a gradual build-up of the fibrinolytic factors in the blood.
Another marvelous effect of capsicum on the blood is its ability to lower triglycerides and cholesterol. When capsicum is fed with a high cholesterol meal, only a moderate amount of the cholesterol is absorbed in the blood stream and a large amount passes out unabsorbed with the feces. At least one research team has reported that capsicum has a beneficial effect on lowering the systemic blood pressure.
Large amounts of capsicum ingested on a daily basis has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of cancer, while the daily intake of small amounts of capsicum is associated with a lower incidence of cancer.
A large dose of capsicum on the day of a highly stressful activity has been shown to increase stamina, however a large dose taken for three days prior to the stressful event did not produce an increase in stamina. It is clear that moderate daily doses of capsicum may be beneficial while large doses should be reserved for occasional use when required.
I don't know about that, I'm finding that in many ways Canadian's are much more enlightened than us American's, one thing I know, they don't mandate unncessary vaccinations on their pet populations and they are not closed-minded to alternative medicine... though the libs, when in charge, were buying into CODEX.
http://www.your-health.com/capsicum.htm
I was just talking at lunch today about the day (sept 2, 2005) we got the phone call from our daughter at college to tell us she was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes (not a good day in memory!) This would be SO AWESOME and better than just about ANY gift I could think of!
Our friend I spoke of has no family history at all of diabetes and his came on suddenly after a devestating divorce... there is a link in stress and autoimmune and some viral attacks on the immune system, which makes this study all the more interesting.
FAT people around the world are bouncing with joy.
Wow!
I think stress IS related - my daughter is a softball player and experieced alot of stress in her senior year of high school. She does well with her diabetes and is very active (a collegiate player) could eat more vegetables but she is a picky eater, so vitamins are supplemented and that has made a big difference as well. My son drinks pomogranate juice (looks like a wine bottle and is at Sams Club for about 22.00) that helped him alot running cross country this fall! He swears by that stuff! I tried to get her to drink it but she hated the taste...
LOL
If this "cure" is based on depletion of substance P as a means of suppression of improper function, they need to observe the "patient" over an extended period. The recovery of the substance P could easily resume the prior improper behavior of the nerves. Identification of the mechanism is a good first step to finding a treatment.
We have a new Indian restaurant getting off the ground in Pocatello. It is run by one of my neighbors. He has lamb vindaloo from 2 PM to 6 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Very tasty. The place is called Sanju's Dhaba. Last Friday he indicated that he may have found a good place in Chubbuck with satisfactory kitchen and seating space.
Be sure to read posts #137 and #144. The technology of monitoring blood glucose and automatically administering insuling has advanced quite a bit.
I don't have time to do a serious search but here's one:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=12208187&query_hl=3&itool=pubmed_DocSum
It's entirely possible that it promotes some types of cancers (i.e. of the upper digestive tract) and inhibits others (after it is partially digested into different compounds by the high acidity of the stomach and/or by the liver). Aspirin is like that -- preventive effect on colon cancer, but promotes pancreatic cancer (it's generally recommended because colon cancer is far more common than pancreatic cancer, but people with a family history or other risk factors for pancreatic cancers are being advised that it could have a bad net effect on their risk of either cancer).
The capsicum family includes a variety of plants, including sweet peppers, which produce different capsaicinoid compounds which have different effects (I don't think research is very advanced on any of them, but I'm sure that's about to change re capsaicin at least). It's entirely possible that most have only a beneficial effect, and that capsaicin quickly converts into something more like the others (i.e. losing the feature which causes the burning effect while retaining other beneficial features).
This link is to an abstract re capsiate, a non-burning capsaicinoid found in sweet peppers, and its anti-cancer properties.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=12594536&query_hl=7&itool=pubmed_docsum
The way I do it the cinnamon comes first thing in the morning, in coffee. At night, just before bed, I eat some cheese ~ usually a well aged cheddar.
This tricks my liver into not giving me that early morning shot of sugar.
It's amazing how much like honey bees we humans are. Our bodies make sugar.
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