This month researchers from Harvard say they have moved closer to finding the root cause of diabetes. Rather than treating diabetes symptoms, the scientists have discovered that oxidants are a major cause of diabetes and are now working on ways to cure the disease.
The protein G6PD and its antioxidant product NAPDH affect cells in the pancreas (beta cells). The proteins prevent the death and also promote the growth of cells that produce and release insulin in the pancreas that keep blood sugar levels under control. The scientists studied mice to find that high sugar levels result in a decrease in NADPH and promote the death of beta cells that produce insulin needed to control blood sugar.
“Abnormally high levels of oxidants are thought to be a major cause of diabetes and the complications of diabetes, as well as many other diseases,” said Robert C. Stanton, M.D., co-author of the study, from Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston. “By understanding the specific defects in processes that either produce too many oxidants or not enough antioxidants, a new era of highly specific, targeted treatments will emerge that very effectively treat or possibly prevent many of these diseases.”
When the scientists raised the level of the NADPH antioxidant they found less negative effect from increased blood sugar on the cells. When the researchers increased the levels of G6PD they were able to prevent cell death. Controlling antixodant and oxidant levels could ultimately lead to a cure for diabetes from the findings, by keeping cells in the pancreas healthy and working to control blood sugar levels properly.
The study, published January 2010 in the FASEB journal shows that altering the effects of G6PD abd NADPH might actually treat the disease rather than treating the symptoms of diabetes. Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of the FASEB Journal says, “This research discovery, which identifies a key enzyme that regulates oxidation and pancreatic cell death, brings us closer than ever to getting at the root of diabetes.”
Kathleen Blanchard RN
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by on 16. Jan, 2010 in experts advices
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a very informative one…
very informative