Diabetic mice benefit from protein-based treatment
Scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies found they could restore normal blood sugar levels in diabetic mice with injections of a specific protein.
Fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) allowed the rodents to maintain normal insulin levels for about a week – with no side effects typically associated with insulin-controlling drugs.
"We had no idea that this molecule would have this effect," said Michael Downes, a co-author of the study. "But it appears that the molecule restores insulin sensitivity in diabetic mice."
Downes reported that repeated injections of the protein worked well for a period of about a month.
FGF1 causes reduction in appetite
Marc Prentki, director of the Montreal Diabetes Research Center, says the therapy might simply work to reduce hunger.
"A very important effect they see with FGF1 is a dramatic reduction in appetite that is transient ... and lasts about two weeks," Prentiki told The Verge.
According to Downes, further research is needed, as well as the determination of how FGF1 would affect humans with Type 2 diabetes.
"This represents another possible therapeutic pathways for pharmaceutical companies to look at," he said. "We feel that this has unique properties that need to be investigated."
Source: The Verge
More Articles
With its slightly nutty flavor, chewy texture, and nutritional punch farro is an ancient whole grain worth a place in our pantry.
Farro...
Having diabetes is cause for concern, however it doesn’t mean that you need to eliminate all of your favorite foods from your diet completely....
With diabetes becoming more of an epidemic each and every day, being knowledgeable about the disease, its effects on the body as well as ways to...
If you’re a diabetic or live with one, it can be tough trying to figure out the best foods to eat because your priority is to control your blood...
In this post, I will show you the 10 best ice creams for diabetics.
When you think of sweetened foods that a diabetic shouldn’t consume,...
More Articles
If you’re living with diabetes, snacking is a necessity because going for more than 3-4 hours without eating can be detrimental to your health....
For diabetics, choosing healthy snacks can be a daunting task.
A good rule of thumb is to pick out snacks that are rich in protein, fiber,...
According to information available through the National Institutes of Health, there’s an estimated 462 million people in the world who are...
Eleven Clinical Studies
After eleven clinical studies and 300,000 participants, researcher Vasanti Malik and her team of researchers...
Diabetic women often have a harder time losing weight than non-diabetic women. A study funded by Jenny Craig proved that diabetic women have an...
Many recent studies have proved that magnesium levels are lower in patients with diabetes than in non-diabetics. This magnesium...
Fluid retention, also known as edema, is a problem that affects many diabetics, especially those with type 2 diabetes...
Some of us might be thrilled if we could manage our blood sugar by sitting in a hot tub or sauna, instead of working up a sweat biking, or using...
Cooking and baking with the ancient cereal grain sorghum has health benefits for people with diabetes, and those with weight control issues....
When it comes to certain foods, there are always questions as to whether or not a diabetic can have them without...
Matcha tea is a rich, creamy, full-bodied beverage with amazing nutritional properties that address several diabetes health concerns.
The...
Salads are good example of foods that type 2 diabetics can enjoy with relatively low guilt. With the right greens and other elements added, salad...
Remaining gainfully employed is important to many people. Those who live with any form of diabetes may find that some lines of work are more...
Learning that you have diabetes does mean making some lifestyle changes. One of the areas that needs attention is your diet. Most people find that...
One of the more challenging aspects of life as a type 2 diabetic is managing your diet. There’s often the temptation to avoid certain foods...