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 whats 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. Accilis 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. Its 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 its very much in play.
Still, Dr. Magnuson added, turning progenitor cells efficiently into functioning beta cells that would...
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
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.
If you find yourself wanting a Snickers and keep looking for one in small narrow, damp places, I have a remedy.
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]
:)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Anyone have experience with Artificial Pancreas treatment
Check it at PubMed for more recent updates.
Thanx
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.