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High Stress Can Make Insulin Cells Regress
NY Times ^ | October 1, 2012 | AMANDA SCHAFFER

Posted on 10/08/2012 2:41:59 AM PDT by neverdem

THE HYPOTHESIS

In Type 2 diabetes, insulin-producing cells revert to an earlier developmental state.

THE INVESTIGATORS

Chutima Talchai and Dr. Domenico Accili, Columbia University...

The hormone insulin helps shuttle glucose, or blood sugar, from the bloodstream into individual cells to be used as energy. But the body can become resistant to insulin, and the beta cells of the pancreas, which produce the hormone, must work harder to compensate. Eventually, the thinking goes, they lose the ability to keep up. “We used to say that the beta cells poop out,” said Alan Saltiel, director of the Life Sciences Institute at the University of Michigan. In reality, he added, this shorthand meant “we have no idea what’s going on.”

--snip--

If something similar occurs in humans with Type 2 diabetes, scientists may find ways to nudge de-differentiated beta cells to return to their mature, insulin-producing form. In Dr. Accili’s research, some of the progenitor cells went on to produce another hormone, glucagon, which acts to raise blood sugar.

This suggests that these cells still have the ability to change into other types of endocrine cells. “Why not become beta cells again?” Dr. Accili asked.

Indeed, research in mice has shown that when large numbers of beta cells are destroyed, some hormone-producing alpha cells morph into beta cells. Another study has shown that through the addition of proteins called transcription factors, another pancreatic cell type, called acinar cells, can become beta cells.

“The pancreas is not an entirely static collection of cells. It’s much more dynamic than we previously appreciated,” said Dr. Mark A. Magnuson, professor of molecular physiology and biophysics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. “This is the concept of cellular plasticity, and it’s very much in play.”

Still, Dr. Magnuson added, turning progenitor cells efficiently into functioning beta cells that would...

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events; Testing
KEYWORDS: diabetes; stemcells; type2diabetes

1 posted on 10/08/2012 2:42:09 AM PDT by neverdem
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To: neverdem
I am type 2 diabetic. Got it from stress of my former job. Catastrophe property adjuster.

My blood sugar stayed high all the time. I was on several meds. My doctor referred me to a endocrinologists He put me on Bydureon. It is a shot taken once a week. It is made from the venom of a poisonous lizard. It works my sugar stays at 70-80 all the time. Even when I cheat and have a snickers It stays low. I have read that they are experimenting with Snake venom for both diabetes & cancer.
The only side effect I have is a strong desire to eat flies and my tongue is split.

2 posted on 10/08/2012 2:54:20 AM PDT by DeaconRed (I ain't gona hug my garbage man. He stinks. . . . . . .)
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To: DeaconRed

If you find yourself wanting a Snickers and keep looking for one in small narrow, damp places, I have a remedy.


3 posted on 10/08/2012 3:20:13 AM PDT by Candor7 (Obama fascism article: http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/05/barack_obama_the_quintessentia_1.html)
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To: DeaconRed

Snakes are one of God’s miracles.

http://www.cardiomyopathy.org/Snakes-may-hold-more-keys-to-treating-heart-disease.html

Many life saving drugs have already been created using snake venom.

[yes, I own snakes]

:)


4 posted on 10/08/2012 3:37:10 AM PDT by Salamander (Like acid and oil on a mad man's face, his reason tends to fly away.)
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To: DeaconRed

The only side effect I have is a strong desire to eat flies and my tongue is split.

Look on the bright side. If food prices keep going up you’ll have a way out and the split tongue may help with some foreign languages.


5 posted on 10/08/2012 3:53:06 AM PDT by freedomfiter2 (Brutal acts of commission and yawning acts of omission both strengthen the hand of the devil.)
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To: neverdem

Take a look at all the side effects of the many medications we are placed on today. BP meds, thyroid, statins - all can cause high blood sugar. Now if you are on all three and your sugar goes up, then they tell you that you are diabetic instead of telling you the medications have caused it.


6 posted on 10/08/2012 4:59:09 AM PDT by Hattie
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To: austinmark; FreedomCalls; IslandJeff; JRochelle; MarMema; Txsleuth; Newtoidaho; texas booster; ...
Conversion of adult pancreatic α-cells to β-cells after extreme β-cell loss

Pancreatic β Cell Dedifferentiation as a Mechanism of Diabetic β Cell Failure

In vivo reprogramming of adult pancreatic exocrine cells to β-cells

FReepmail me if you want on or off the diabetes and/or stem cell/regenerative medicine ping lists.

7 posted on 10/08/2012 10:27:48 AM PDT by neverdem ( Xin loi min oi)
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To: DeaconRed

Got mine from being a union “mechanic” and on the road all the time, subsisting on jelly beans. Had a resting pulse of right below 200. Crazy times.

Now use Januvia, which is a little related to your Gila venom, as well as insulins.


8 posted on 10/08/2012 11:19:43 AM PDT by Hardraade (http://junipersec.wordpress.com (I will fear no muslim))
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To: neverdem

I have to save this article. I have Type II diabetes and “stiff heart syndrome,” both the result of stress. Going to show this to my docs. Thanks for the post, and the comments.


9 posted on 10/08/2012 1:43:29 PM PDT by CitizenM (Obama - The architect of the decline of the U.S.)
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To: neverdem

Anyone have experience with Artificial Pancreas treatment


10 posted on 10/08/2012 2:41:00 PM PDT by morphing libertarian
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To: morphing libertarian
'Artificial pancreas' could remove multiple daily finger prick tests for children

Check it at PubMed for more recent updates.

11 posted on 10/08/2012 3:00:40 PM PDT by neverdem ( Xin loi min oi)
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To: neverdem

Thanx


12 posted on 10/08/2012 4:13:38 PM PDT by morphing libertarian
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