New findings by researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center may hold a cure for type 1 diabetes.
According to the findings, type 1 diabetes could be converted to an asymptomatic, non-insulin-dependent disorder by eliminating the actions of a specific hormone.
In the study, UT Southwestern scientists tested how mice genetically altered to lack working glucagon receptors responded to an oral glucose tolerance test. The test – which can be used to diagnose diabetes, gestational diabetes and prediabetes – measures the body’s ability to metabolize, or clear, glucose from the bloodstream.
The researchers found that the mice with normal insulin production but without functioning glucagon receptors responded normally to the test. The mice also responded normally when their insulin-producing beta cells were destroyed. The mice had no insulin or glucagon action, but they did not develop diabetes.
The researchers showed that, in mice, insulin becomes completely superfluous and its absence does not cause diabetes or any other abnormality when the actions of glucagon are suppressed. Glucagon, a hormone produced by the pancreas, prevents low blood sugar levels in healthy individuals. It causes high blood sugar in people with type 1 diabetes.
Insulin treatment has been the gold standard for type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent diabetes) in humans since its discovery in 1922. But even optimal regulation of type 1 diabetes with insulin alone cannot restore normal glucose tolerance. These new findings demonstrate that in mice, the elimination of glucagon action restores glucose tolerance to normal.
Source: http://www.utsouthwestern.edu
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This is fascinating news, but I have a question: Don’t patients who lack a pancreas altogether (surgically removed due to trauma or malignancy) have to take insulin injections, although they don’t have glucagon secretion?
Oh look. Another cure for mice.
Yippee.
I hate to rain on these researcher’s parade, but if you don’t make insulin anymore, how does the glucose in the bloodstream get into the body’s cells, where it can be used? We’re missing some key information here. If one doesn’t make insulin, and one doesn’t make glucagon (a key hormone that tells the liver to release blood sugar into the body to be used in times of stress (or, say, a case of hypoglycemia, a trademark side effect of intensive insulin therapy) what I see is a Type 1 diabetic that’s even more messed up than if they were just missing their beta cells. What magical hormone is unlocking the body’s cells so that they can utilize blood glucose if insulin isn’t present? Since glucagon is the hormone that keeps blood sugar from going too low (like during exercise or during a diet), what would stand in the way of the diabetic dying from a critical low? Until these questions are answered, I don’t think that burning out a Type 1 diabetic’s glucagon producing cells (because burning out or destroying already active glucagon receptors through out the body would be nearly impossible in the case of most Type 1 diabetics) is a viable therapy and there is a huge difference between the physiology of an engineered mouse and a non-engineered human being. And the article clearly states that even if a therapy was derived from these finding, the person would not be cured. They would still have the underlying disorder that caused the Type 1 diabetes, which is a faulty immune system. I’m going to regretfully take this the same way I took the whole ‘chile powder potential cure’ that the media was all over four or so years ago: with a huge bucket of salt.
I have some of the same questions as CJ. But I do get a little excited when I see a totally different slant on potentially treating (or curing) type 1 diabetes. Insulin has been ”it” for a very long time now. So I’ll give it a moment of excitement between boluses and basal adjustments.
they seem to be talking about the glucagon receptors of individual cells rather than the glucagon-producing alpha cells of the pancreas…it would have the effect of putting metabolism in “neutral” rather than a catabolic/anabolic state….still,i cannot see how that would obviate the body’s need for insulin but i bet less would be needed.
I will agree that diabetes (T1 or T2) is complicated and is way more than just a lack of insulin.
But it’s also way more than just blocking glucagon receptors.
Look at a very succesful T2 medicine: metformin. It works by blocking gluconeogenesis. i.e. it blocks glucagon receptors. Yet metformin is in no way a replacement for insulin in T1′s.
My daughter with Down Syndrome was diagnosed yesterday with T1 Diabetes. I would gladly take the burden of her hands if I could. To see that researchers are making progress (albeit controversial) gives me hope that someday my baby will one day be cured of this horrible disease. If anyone out there has any information of this disease or possible breakthroughs in treatment, please shoot me an email. It would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
-mark
shoot me an email at markvilla1@gmail.com
Thanks,
-mark
My daughter with Down Syndrome was diagnosed yesterday with T1 Diabetes. I would gladly take the burden of her hands if I could. To see that researchers are making progress (albeit controversial) gives me hope that someday my baby will one day be cured of this horrible disease. If anyone out there has any information of this disease or possible breakthroughs in treatment, please shoot me an email. It would be greatly appreciated. markvilla1@gmail.com
Thanks,
-mark
I agree with TJ if the receptors are not making insulin anymore how does the glucose in the bloodstream get into the cell? It seems like the pathway of this “cure” is not going to make it through. It am not believing this at all.
I understand that the money for research isn’t as picky, but I wish that the media would stop using t1 and t2 diabetes in the same story. The two DIFFERENT diseases have nothing in common but glucose. People with fat lazy diabetes (type 2) don’t deserve a penny of those research dollars as they only have themselves to blame for their “disease”, while type 1′s have no choice. My body handles glucose and and its derivatives just fine, as long as insulin is involved. Type 2 diabetics lost their ability to metabolize glucose and its derivatives through lack of exercise and bad diet. Add some genetic factors in there and you’ve got another excuse to not eat or care for your health right. Stop mixing these two diseases, and stop fostering and promoting research towards cures for type 2, as they do little if anything for those that suffer with the real tragedy of type 1 diabetes.
“. . .People with fat lazy diabetes (type 2) don’t deserve a penny of those research dollars as they only have themselves to blame for their “disease”, while type 1?s have no choice. . . .. Type 2 diabetics lost their ability to metabolize glucose and its derivatives through lack of exercise and bad diet. . .”
Good grief!
Read some more journals. T2 is a genetic disease. If you have the genes, you will get T2 sooner or later. Insulin Resistance is a “background” phenomenon and also appears to be genetic.
See the ADA Clinical Guidelines for a good defination, i.e.
“Type 2 Diabetes is a PROGRESSIVE INSULIN SECRETORY DEFECT”
T1 lose their beta cells quickly, T2 lose their beta cells slowly. They both end up in the same place if the T2 live long enough.
@ar
Your comments regarding those with Type 2 diabetics are both rude and uninformed:
“People with fat lazy diabetes (type 2) don’t deserve a penny of those research dollars as they only have themselves to blame for their “disease”, while type 1?s have no choice.” “Type 2 diabetics lost their ability to metabolize glucose and its derivatives through lack of exercise and bad diet.”
I am neither fat, nor lazy and do not have anything to blame but genetics for my late onset Type 2 diabetes. Since you suggested it – Stop using character generalizations for diseases you obviously have not researched fully.
@Laura– The researchers do address the question of larger mammals with pancreotectomies; typically, after the pancreas is removed, extrapancreatic alpha-cells are still able to produce glucagon. Dog studies have shown, further, that after the removal of the pancreas, the liver’s sensitivity to glucagon can increase, thereby making the extrapancreatic glucagon more effective.
@CJ– As to how the glucose in the bloodstream enters the cells, the authors do not have a clear answer– they have thus far only observed that removing the glucagon receptor in mice, and subsequently inducing diabetes (via the beta-cell killing toxin streptozotocin) results in the diabetic mice achieving glucose homeostasis (that is, normalcy).
The authors speculate as to how it works– suggesting that in normal glucose metabolism, much of insulin’s action is directed towards suppression of glucose creation from glucagon in the liver. So, if the liver can’t take in glucagon, insulin has little to do, and the liver just takes in the excess glucose.
Another possibility is that an insulin-like hormone is taking over, and without the action of glucagon, that alone is sufficient to maintain glucose homeostasis. The authors seem to write off this possibility, but their reasoning there is not exactly clear to me.
Given the complexity of molecular mechanisms involved in both insulin action and glucose uptake, it is clear to me that much more research has to be done here, even before we can begin to consider how this will transfer over to larger mammals. For example, the authors note a decrease in free-fatty acid levels; could this be sufficiently sensitizing the mice such that any residual insulin granules, plus insulin-like hormones like GLP-1, are sufficient for keeping the mice alive?
Hopefully, further studies will clarify the results here. Until then, I suppose we should keep taking our insulin, and keep funding studies that explore these fascinating endocrine interactions!
Ok I am new to t1dm, my son was dx august 2010. But I have done pretty much nothing much more than eat and breathe type 1 treatment, cures and research since then and I can not wrap my mind around this concept for a cure. I’m just sayin’.
Karmel – Thank you for your enlightening take on this research. You obviously understand it better than most of us!
mark – I so feel for you. My first 9 months with my 9 yr old son was so hard. I cried inside every time I had to stick him with a needle 3-6 times a day. I just could not imagine dealing with this and down syndrome. Here are some hints and tips that we learned and wish someone would have told us immediately,
Give serious consideration to an insulin pump as soon as you can. In your case, you might be able to get it sooner than the 6 month waiting period we had. We use the omnipod, so no tubes to contend with. We also have a prescription for lidocaine to put his pump on. We had to ask for it, so if your doc doesn’t offer, be sure to ask. I bought 4% lidocaine from Amazon when we were still doing the shots. I would just put a dab and then wipe it off before his shot 10 minutes later. Made shots so much easier for him. Before the lidocaine, we used bactine antiseptic numbing spray. We checked ingredients were okay first.
Look into getting the smallest gauge needle that you can for insulin shots. The higher numbers are smaller size (go figure). They start out with a large needle. We had our doc prescribe us the 32 gauge. Much easier than the 28, 29 or 30 that they start you with.
BG meter. The hospital usually sends one home with you that requires a full micron of blood. Some of the best and smallest blood needed are the freestyles. We started out with the freestyle lite, but had to move to the regular freestyle when he got his pump, as that is what is built into the pdm.
And don’t forget to also get the smaller finger poking needles, if using a poker with changeable needles. My son loves the MultiClix device. Never have to touch a needle and it really is close to painless.
We would all love to be able to take this burden from our children, but just know it gets easier. My son now handles it better than I do. He has become a stronger person from this. If you have any questions, you can click on my name to get to my web site and use the Contact Us to send me a question. I really do wish you and your family the best.
ar – Unfortunately, there are too many people that spout uneducated nonsense in online comment sections and then there are even more just like them that take it as gospel and spread it around. I think the Internet may just be dumbing down people. I ALWAYS educate myself on a subject before I talk or type about it, otherwise I risk repeating your mistake of showing myself as an ignorant person. Unfortunately, ignorance wasn’t the worst of your post and no amount of education will make up for being a judgmental, rude and nasty person.
As a parent of a diabetic, I am holding out hope that my son will see a cure. Studies like this excite me. While this may not be the cure, it may lead to one. Fortunately, there is a LOT of diabetes research going on. I like my odds of seeing a cure in my lifetime.
Wow. That is all i can say is wow. Most of the people who have commented on this, i leave you this message. Get off your ass and find a cure. It’s easy to complain when your sitting on your ass. I’m a type 1 diabetic. I don’t bitch and complain. Their is one thing i do, it’s live. I live my life. Diabetes is a little obstacle. I suck it up and just hope for the best. So all you expert researchers can f**k off.
@ ar
Better start doing a little more research on your own. I am a type 2 Diabetic who became diabetic due to treatment of a toxic thyroid nodule. After treatment the endocrinologist monitored my thyroid hormones AND my blood sugars cuz because they are both endocrine glands. As my thyroid levels came down for some reason my blood sugars (THAT WERE ALWAYS PERFECT) started to rise. They never came back to a normal level and after 3 months of elevated sugars I was diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic —- NOT MY CHOICE. So don’t make disgusting remarks about things you really don’t completely understand.
I will tell you only one truth, the cure there long time!!!! believe me or not …i working one the biggest pharma company is lots of things going on in the ..
As much charity & money we given to them , as long they will looking for the fake cure …is all about pharma companies, wars starts long time ago between pharma companies hope for the winner !!!is only can be one
Sorry for my English!!!
Maybe what’s going on here with Type 1 is that the body is over producing glucagon, which in turn both raises glucose levels in the blood and suppresses insulin production? I think what they are proposing is that maybe it isn’t the lack of insulin which is the problem. Maybe the cause of at least some diabetic conditions is the over production glucagon. The body uses these opposing processes to keep blood sugars in a livable range and maybe what’s going on with at least some cases of diabetes is the mechanism that the body uses to raise blood sugars has gone haywire. It’s not that the pancreas can’t produce enough insulin, but rather insulin production is inhibited by the glucagon process that raises blood sugar?
Here’s another site with more info on this:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110126161835.htm
@ar
Only an ignorant individual would put all persons who have type 2 diabetes into a fat and lazy category. Diabetes type 2 runs in my family… none of whom are over-weight or lazy. In fact our family owns/runs a lucrative business. Don’t forget about cortisol levels and stress raising glucose levels. Since I was 20 (now 30) I have been borderline diabetes. I watch my diet, and exercise and am not overweight. I had gestational diabetes and managed it by only eating non-carb vegetables and protien. I take cinnamon everyday and do what I am given to avert this horrible disease. I would like to see an end to diabetes type 1 and 2, as well as everyone adopting a healthier lifestyle with or without diabetes.
ar you are a selfish individual
I have been a Type 1 diabetic for forever. I know that there is a difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Good grief. Type 2′s have a real disease and it is causing all of us Type 1′s to pay the price. Okay, the symptoms are the same, both Types have higher Blood Sugar levels than the Normal people out there. But Type 2′s have a Type of diabetes that is harder to control because the extremes of the Blood sugars are more wide. The Type 2 diabetic has to be more diligent in their control. When I (as a Type 1) see a new doctor I go through the crap having to navigate through the advice that a Type 2 needs to be hearing. I have to control my diabetes too but not in the same extreme like these Type 2′s. Type 2′s cause me, in the medical community, to endure a lot of harsh criticism because some Type 2′s are bent on not taking care of themselves. We all have to take care of ourselves and live our lives but I am real sick of being talked to like I am a Type 2. I am not. I got Type 1.
I just found out I was type 1 today. I suspected I was type 1 from the beginning, but oral meds DID work for a while to control my BG. Once my BG levels stayed elevated for about three weeks, my doctor ordered the antibodies test. What’s not clear to me in this study is, can HUMANS process food into glucose without insulin? My understanding is that I don’t produce insulin, so what is going to 1) convert my food to useful energy at the cellular level and 2) prevent my BG from spiraling out of control EVEN if my Glucagon receptors were destroyed. We are men, not mice!
My 6 year old boy is type one. I am a health professional, and the concept of this study has a major flaw. INSULIN IS IMPERATIVE as a functional hormone for your metabolism. It regulates everything from muscle repair and development, to metabolism of other macro nutrients such as fat and protein. Not only that, the timing of this insulin delivery has a dramatic effect on the whole process. I would ask lots and lots of questions about this study before dedicating one more penny to its progression. Gene therapy is where the cure is most likely to come from at this point. I say the research should be spent there.
Lets test it!!! Lets get a move on it!! I have been reading of many possible cures lately!! Lets stop talking and test ASAP! People are suffering! Awful disese!!! Millions would be willing to test it on themselves like right now!! This second Why do we have to wait 5 years!!
@CJ – There’s also the side-effect of a loss of appetite when using glucagon inhibitors (or if you destroy the alpha cells). This would support what Karmel referenced about insulin and glucagon possibly being balancing agents for other effects in the body’s metabolism. Adult mice, or humans, who do not eat more than their body’s needs may not require any insulin without any glucagon.
My assumption would be that children should not be eligible for this treatment, as there is still too much change going on in the body until they are fully developed adults. Killing their appetite may have other dangerous effects. But this is just a guess.