Scientists have found how to cure type 1 diabetes (on mice)

Hi steemians.

French researchers have just made a discovery that could revolutionize the management of diabetics. By injecting a specific molecule into mice, they have succeeded in boosting the regeneration of cells producing insulin ... and curing chemically induced type 1 diabetes.

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Great hopes

As the number of diabetics continues to grow, the race for treatment is intensifying. In France alone, there are 3.5 million people affected by diabetes, of which 10% have type 1 diabetes. The latter most often occurs in children and adolescents when the pancreas stops produce the hormone "insulin". The sugar level then rises quickly in the blood and can promote the appearance of cardiovascular diseases and eyes.

To prevent risks, there is only one solution: insulin injections. But researchers at Inserm may have found an even more effective solution and especially much less restrictive daily. By injecting the neurotransmitter GABA, they succeeded in inducing the regeneration of insulin-producing cells in mice. What give great hope to all patients affected by type 1 diabetes. The results were published in the journal Cell.

Which mechanism ??

Researchers from Inserm, CNRS and the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis conducted the experiment on mice. Specifically, they used the neurotransmitter GABA, naturally present in the body but can also be found as a dietary supplement. His particuliarity ? It is constantly regenerating. Previous work has shown that it is possible to increase insulin-producing cells but through genetic modification.

Verdict: "GABA induces the continuous but controlled regeneration of pancreatic alpha cells and their transformation into cells producing insulin," the researchers note. As a result, they were again able to perform their role. Namely, maintain blood glucose around 1g / l in the blood even when the intake of sugars are important. Diabetes could be cured in genetically modified mice.

But that's not all. The authors went further and took human pancreatic cells, which they put in contact with the neurotransmitter GABA. An increase in the production cells was also observed (+ 24%).

"These results are promising as to the probable efficacy of this solution for humans, say the authors of the work, and therapeutic trials will soon be initiated to determine if GABA could actually help patients with type 1 diabetes. . " And perhaps pave the way for a drug that can cure type 1 diabetes once and for all.

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Source: Long-Term GABA Administration Induces Alpha Cell-Mediated Beta-like Cell Neogenesis Ben-Othman et al., 2017, Cell 168, 73–85 January 12, 2017

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