Caerulein May Helps Generate Insulin-Producing Cells In Type 1 Diabetes

[Northerner]

A new study by researchers at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute (Sanford-Burnham) has found that a peptide called caerulein can convert existing cells in the pancreas into those cells destroyed in type 1 diabetes—insulin-producing beta cells. The study, published online July 31 in Cell Death and Disease, suggests a new approach to treating the estimated 3 million people in the U.S., and over 300 million worldwide, living with type 1 diabetes.

“We have found a promising technique for type 1 diabetics to restore the body’s ability to produce insulin. By introducing caerulein to the pancreas we were able to generate new beta cells—the cells that produce insulin—potentially freeing patients from daily doses of insulin to manage their blood-sugar levels.” said Fred Levine, M.D., Ph.D., professor and director of the Sanford Children’s Health Research Center at Sanford-Burnham.

http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1113204339/type-1-diabetes-caerulein-080114/#y3jV1awKfjjE6AWb.01

 

[HOBIE]

Excellent ! I really hope these boffins keep at it 😎😎😎

 

[trophywench]

Ditto.

But - what do the alpha cells do normally? - if we turn em into beta cells (this sounds like Brave New World, 'I'm glad I'm not a Delta' LOL) does that mess up something else that we currently don't have trouble with cos the alphas take care of it?

 

[Northerner]

Ditto.

But - what do the alpha cells do normally? - if we turn em into beta cells (this sounds like Brave New World, 'I'm glad I'm not a Delta' LOL) does that mess up something else that we currently don't have trouble with cos the alphas take care of it?

Alpha cells make glucagon 🙂 I've never understood why it is that ot's only the beta cells that get attacked by the immune system.