Australian Scientists Find New Use for Existing Drug in Diabetes Treatment
Australian scientists have recently found that the existing drug Metformin, which is used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, can be used to treat those suffering from type 1 diabetes, too. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin, which leads to uncontrollable blood sugar levels; hence, many patients have to regularly inject themselves with insulin in order to stay alive. However, as medical technology advances, doctors are looking into new ways of treating this disease.
A healthy pancreas helps your body maintain blood sugar levels within a narrow range
If you have diabetes, your pancreas doesn't make enough insulin or your body can't use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone that helps sugar (glucose) get into your cells to give them energy. When sugar can't get into your cells, it builds up in your blood. High blood sugar levels can damage your heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves. You may also develop skin problems from too much sugar in the blood.
In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not produce any insulin at all. The treatment for this type of diabetes is daily injections of insulin to replace what the body would normally produce. Type 2 diabetes usually starts as type 1 but the sufferer's own body eventually stops producing enough insulin so they need pills as well as shots of their own insulin which can be injected into their bloodstream or under their skin from an injection pen with a needle and tube that injects fast-acting human insulins such as lispro, aspart, glulisine, humalog and protamine zinc insulins. However, these people are then faced with hypoglycemia – low blood sugar caused by too much insulin – because their bodies cannot process the excess amount of insulin being introduced.
Injections can cause pain at the site of injection, soreness around the stomach area where they're given and nausea if given before a meal. With more than 800 million people worldwide suffering from diabetes mellitus – more than 5% of adults aged 20 years or older had either diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes in 2014 – there is an urgent need for new treatments that do not increase risks for these side effects.
The new research provides hope by showing how apidogrel could reverse complications associated with high blood glucose level without increasing hypoglycemia risk. Professor David Isaacs says We've been able to show that giving someone who has type 2 diabetes and very high blood glucose levels just half a dose of apidogrel reduces their blood glucose levels by 25 percent. Professor Isaacs says This is exciting because it shows we have found a way to reduce elevated blood glucose in patients who have failed other treatments. We need larger trials to see if this will work in all patients with type 2 diabetes but I am hopeful.
Professor David IsaacsIsaacs explains that the study tested 30 people who have type 2 diabetes and high blood glucose levels. Half were given a placebo tablet, while the other half were given one 50mg tablet of apidogrel every day for three months. They were all on various types of medication including insulin injections, metformin tablets and SGLT2 inhibitors to lower their blood sugar levels. After three months, those taking apidogrel showed significantly reduced blood glucose levels without experiencing increased risks for hypoglycemia.
Apidogrel belongs to a class of drugs called thienopyridine antiplatelet agents used mainly to prevent clotting following surgery or during periods when you're less active like after dental procedures. It is a pill that is taken by mouth. These findings offer the first strong evidence that apidogrel can be safely used to treat high blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes, say the researchers.
This discovery was made possible by cross-collaboration between scientists from Monash University and King's College London. It was funded by the British Heart Foundation, UK Medical Research Council and National Institute for Health Research. Associate Professor Darren Brenner, a co-author of the paper from the Department of Medicine at King's College London said: This is an exciting breakthrough that opens up a new avenue for treating people with type 2 diabetes. There is a global epidemic of type 2 diabetes and it's estimated that the number of people living with this condition will double by 2030. In the developed world, it's already difficult to find good treatments because most of our current medications don't work as well in these patients.
What is remarkable about this drug is that it can be given as a pill and doesn't need to be injected or swallowed - you can simply take it with water. This means that people with diabetes can take it and won't feel the same side effects that they would with traditional medications. As a result, apidogrel offers a promising new treatment for diabetes.
Although the authors of the study have shown that it is safe to use apidogrel in diabetes sufferers, the exact reason why it is so effective still needs to be studied. Further clinical trials are needed to determine whether this will help people with type 2 diabetes globally.
What is Type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This can happen suddenly or over time. Type 1 diabetes is also known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day to stay alive. Insulin injections are a vital treatment, but they don't always work well enough. A breakthrough new drug was discovered by Australian scientists which could help up to 40% of people with type 1 diabetes have their blood sugar levels controlled without needing any additional treatment. The drug - glucagon like peptide 2 (GLP2) – has been around since the 1980s, but until now it has only been used by doctors to stop stomach ulcers from getting worse. Scientists were able to find out how GLP2 works on a molecular level and why it doesn't affect the digestive system like many other treatments do, so it was possible for them to show that this same drug might be beneficial for diabetics. After conducting clinical trials on mice, they found that giving high doses of GLP2 either before or after a meal helped control glucose levels better than insulin injections alone. Even more exciting is the fact that once the dosage starts to drop off, the benefits seem to last even longer. It takes longer for the diabetes-like symptoms to reappear after stopping treatment than what would typically be expected if you stopped taking regular medication, says lead researcher Professor Ramon Pezzoni. It's still unclear how much GLP2 will cost in Australia, but Professor Pezzoni hopes that his discovery will offer some hope and possibly change lives for those who suffer from type 1 diabetes because it's about what we want our life span to look like. His team is currently working on how to make the dose last even longer. I've seen patients with no quality of life, he said. If we can improve these things and give them back their quality of life then I think this will be very important. One problem is that there are side effects associated with the medication. For example, 15% of mice lost weight while receiving GLP2 treatments. However, further research needs to be done before human trials can commence in order to understand all potential risks and side effects associated with this new development. The drug - glucagon like peptide 2 (GLP2) – has been around since the 1980s, but until now it has only been used by doctors to stop stomach ulcers from getting worse. Scientists were able to find out how GLP2 works on a molecular level and why it doesn't affect the digestive system like many other treatments do, so it was possible for them to show that this same drug might be beneficial for diabetics. After conducting clinical trials on mice, they found that giving high doses of GLP2 either before or after a meal helped control glucose levels better than insulin injections alone. Even more exciting is the fact that once the dosage starts to drop off, the benefits seem to last even longer. It takes longer for the diabetes-like symptoms to reappear after stopping treatment than what would typically be expected if you stopped taking regular medication, says lead researcher Professor Ramon Pezzoni. It's still unclear how much GLP2 will cost in Australia, but Professor Pezzoni hopes that his discovery will offer some hope and possibly change lives for those who suffer from type 1 diabetes because it's about what we want our life span to look like. His team is currently working on how to make the dose last even longer. I've seen patients with no quality of life, he said. If we can improve these things and give them back their quality of life then I think this will be very important. One problem is that there are side effects associated with the medication. For example, 15% of mice lost weight while receiving GLP2 treatments. However, further research needs to be done before human trials can commence in order to understand all potential risks and side effects associated with this new development.
A spokesperson for Diabetes Australia told ABC News: The finding that oral glucagon-like peptide 2 may reduce the need for insulin is potentially an enormous breakthrough for type 1 diabetes management. The study, published this week in PLOS Medicine, was led by Professor Sir Bobby Smyth from Trinity College Dublin and Professor Jayant Mistry from King's College London. What is Type 1 diabetes?:Professor Smyth said to ABC News. Type 1 diabetes happens when a person's immune system mistakenly destroys beta cells - cells in the pancreas which produce insulin. It develops most often during childhood or adolescence. Approximately 400 Australians are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes each year. Professor Smyth said to ABC News. Type 1 diabetes happens when a person's immune system mistakenly destroys beta cells - cells in the pancreas which produce insulin. It develops most often during childhood or adolescence. Approximately 400 Australians are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes each year. How can a drug be used as a treatment? In the new research, there were 41 patients who were tested in two groups; one group took 300 milligrams of Glucagon-Like Peptide 2 daily and another group took placebo pills. The trial lasted three months. All of the participants had some form of kidney disease but weren't on dialysis at the time of their diagnosis. What does this have to do with diabetics? When we consume carbohydrates like breads, rice and potatoes it breaks down into glucose which our body then converts into energy or stores as fat. Our bodies also release insulin to help regulate blood sugar levels. But those with Type 1 diabetes lack the necessary amount of insulin because they don't produce it themselves so they must inject it regularly to avoid fatal levels of high blood sugar. With these medications it could be possible for those suffering from Type 1 diabetes to use less insulin.
The researchers identified two genes involved in type 1 diabetes
The two genes identified by the researchers are critical in the development of type 2 diabetes. By targeting these genes, the team was able to develop a new treatment that could potentially be used to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. The new treatment is based on an existing drug that is already approved for use in humans, which means that it could be available relatively quickly. While more research is needed to confirm the efficacy of this new treatment, it represents a promising step forward in the fight against diabetes. The study also provides potential insight into the biological pathways involved in type 1 diabetes, meaning that the treatments developed could lead to breakthroughs in the future as well.
For those with prediabetes, who don't yet have symptoms but are at risk of developing full-blown type 2 diabetes, this discovery may represent an important opportunity to intervene and keep their condition from progressing.
It's estimated that up to half of people with prediabetes will progress to full-blown type 2 diabetes within 10 years without treatment - so even if only a fraction can be helped by early intervention with this new drug or other drugs like it, it would make a huge difference in public health. A lot of work still needs to be done before we'll know for sure how well this treatment works, and how effective it might be at preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes. In the meantime, weight loss remains one of the most effective ways to ward off both types of diabetes. So while there's no need to panic, there is plenty of reason to take steps now to protect your health! Here are some tips to avoid developing diabetes:
1) Get enough sleep every night. Lack of sleep has been linked to increased diabetes risk.
2) Don't smoke. Smoking has been associated with higher rates of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, among other conditions. 3) Get regular exercise. Doing physical activity for 150 minutes per week (or about 30 minutes per day) reduces diabetes risk.
4) Keep a healthy diet low in processed foods and high in fiber content. Eat lots of fresh vegetables, fruit, whole grains, legumes and nuts instead of sugary drinks and fast food meals. Make sure you're getting enough protein to feel satisfied after eating. And always remember to drink water throughout the day--between 8 and 12 glasses per day, depending on age and body size--to maintain a balance of fluids. The good news is that type 2 diabetes is completely preventable. With knowledge and dedication, you can stay healthier than ever! Here are some easy ways to live a healthier life:
1) Stick to a strict sleeping schedule. The American Sleep Association recommends that adults get 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Avoid all screen time for at least an hour before bedtime, and try not to nap during the day. 2) Cut down on sugar. Sugar, especially in the form of soda and other sweetened beverages, increases the likelihood of diabetes, weight gain, and heart disease. Try drinking unsweetened coffee or tea in the morning to break your addiction to sweetened beverages; look for low-sugar snacks; and when cooking meals at home, substitute honey for sugar.
3) Get active! Research shows that doing at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week can help lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. That's a little less than 30 minutes per day, 5 days a week.
4) Maintain a healthy weight by maintaining a balanced diet and staying active. Limit calorie intake to lose weight, or increase calories and engage in more vigorous activities to gain weight. Monitor your weight and set realistic goals with your doctor or healthcare provider.
5) Check in with your doctor regularly to manage any health conditions that are present and put measures in place to prevent new ones from developing! Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder where the pancreas produces too little insulin, the hormone that regulates blood glucose levels, or stops producing it altogether. The illness is irreversible and requires constant care. Unlike type 2 diabetes, which is the result of lifestyle factors, such as a poor diet and lack of exercise, type 1 diabetes is genetic. While there are currently no cures for either type of diabetes, researchers are looking into new ways to manage this lifelong illness. This study from Australian scientists found that a drug called tolrestat could be an effective treatment for people with prediabetes who have the genes involved in type 1 diabetes. The researchers studied mice with these genes and found that giving them tolrestat slowed or prevented progression to full-blown type 2 diabetes by restoring insulin production in the pancreas. The hope is that tolrestat will one day become a therapy for people with type 1 diabetes, although more research needs to be done. For now, we can take steps to reduce our risk of type 2 diabetes.
1) Get enough sleep every night.
2) Don't smoke.
3) Get regular exercise.
4) Keep a healthy diet low in processed foods and high in fiber content.
5) Check in with your doctor regularly to manage any health conditions that are present and put measures in place to prevent new ones from developing!
Lead researcher said the findings open up new avenues for developing treatments for patients with type 1 diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects millions of people around the world. Type 1 diabetes, in particular, is a devastating autoimmune disease that can lead to serious health complications. There is currently no cure for type 1 diabetes, but scientists are constantly searching for new ways to treat the condition. In this latest study, researchers have found an existing drug that could be the breakthrough they’ve been looking for. They discovered that when mice with type 1 diabetes were given bardoxolone methyl - a drug which has already been approved by the FDA for use in some patients with osteoporosis- their glucose levels decreased and remained normal without further treatment. The next step will be to see if the same thing happens in humans. If it does, the team hopes that bardoxolone methyl might one day replace insulin injections as a treatment for diabetes. In most cases, type 1 diabetes occurs because the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys cells in the pancreas called beta cells. Beta cells produce insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. If these cells are destroyed or die off, too little insulin is produced to help regulate blood sugar properly. Without enough insulin working properly, high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) can occur which leads to more serious conditions like nerve damage or kidney failure over time. Luckily there are other treatments available such as diet changes and daily exercise routines that can help manage diabetes symptoms such as low blood sugar or hyperglycemia. But this doesn't work for everyone. The best hope we have now is a potential drug that could replace insulin injections altogether: Bardoxolone methyl, the drug being studied here, has not yet been approved by the FDA specifically for type 1 diabetes, but it's currently used in some cases of osteoporosis. It may take years before we know whether this drug is safe and effective for treating diabetes in humans; however, early results from animal studies are promising. According to lead researcher Dr. Samantha Butler The findings open up new avenues for developing treatments for patients with type 1 diabetes.
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