Articles tagged with Insulin
A study at the University of Illinois Chicago found that pioglitazone significantly slowed the thickening of carotid artery walls, reducing the risk of heart attack. The medication was shown to be effective regardless of age, sex, or diabetes duration.
Researchers found that pioglitazone reduced carotid artery intima-media thickness by .001 millimeters and improved blood glucose control, while increasing HDL cholesterol levels. These findings suggest pioglitazone may be a new approach to further reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Diabetic patients using cutting-edge technologies like insulin pumps and blood glucose monitoring devices experience better disease management with reduced daily pain. However, the lack of strong scientific evidence and insufficient patient-education resources hinder their widespread adoption.
The three-dimensional structure of insulin-degrading enzyme suggests ways to develop drugs that could either speed up or slow down its activity. The researchers discovered small mutations that increased the enzyme's activity by 40-fold, providing a blueprint for developing similar effects.
A clinical trial shows that islet transplantation using the Edmonton Protocol can dramatically benefit certain patients with severe complications of Type 1 diabetes. The procedure has promising implications for treating this autoimmune disease, which affects an estimated 21 million Americans.
A multicenter clinical trial confirmed the Edmonton Protocol's ability to safely promote long-term stabilization of blood sugar levels in 'brittle' diabetes patients, with some achieving insulin independence. Investigators also reported improved measures of blood glucose control and reversal of hypoglycemic unawareness.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the connection between calcineurin and diabetes. By inhibiting calcineurin, they were able to prevent beta cells from increasing their numbers and producing insulin, offering new hope for treating type-2 diabetes. The findings al...
A study of 161 African-Americans with type 2 diabetes found that poor sleep quality and quantity were associated with higher HbA1c levels, indicating poorer blood glucose control. The results suggest that optimizing sleep duration and quality may improve glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes.
A team of CSIRO scientists has determined the molecular structure of the insulin receptor, a significant breakthrough that builds on years of international research. The discovery is expected to facilitate future research into new therapies for diabetes and cancer.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine successfully transplanted pig pancreatic primordia into rats with type 2 diabetes, curing the condition without the need for immune suppression drugs. The approach, similar to one that cured type 1 diabetes in previous studies, uses embryonic cells to produce insulin.
Researchers have identified two chemical compounds, PBA and TUDCA, that alleviate ER stress and restore normal glucose homeostasis in type 2 diabetic mice. These compounds also improved insulin response, reduced fatty liver disease, and prevented JNK activation, offering a potential new approach to treating metabolic syndrome.
A study found that insulin resistance in early teens may predict a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Insulin resistance was linked to increased blood pressure, high triglycerides, and low HDL cholesterol levels.
A study found that a gene variant increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but adopting healthy lifestyle changes significantly reduces this genetic risk. The research, conducted by the DPP Genetics subgroup, identified a single nucleotide polymorphism in the TCF7L2 gene as a key risk factor for the disease.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo are part of a global effort to prevent type 1 diabetes through a $172 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. The project aims to identify 100,000 individuals at risk and test interventions to halt the onset of the disease.
Researchers successfully transplanted embryonic pancreatic tissue from pigs into mice with reduced immune responses, enabling fully functional insulin production and normal blood sugar levels. The study's findings warrant further pre-clinical research on primate models to explore the potential for human transplantation.
The study found that ACTOS reduced the number of patients on insulin and mean daily insulin dose, as well as delaying need for permanent insulin use. In high-risk patients with type 2 diabetes, these results could lead to less dependence on daily insulin use.
Researchers found that 48% of participants reported no or very little microvascular complications, and that some patients still have residual islet function. The study suggests that many patients with long-term type 1 diabetes may have some residual insulin production, paving the way for new treatments.
A study found that urocortin I impairs glucose-sensing neurons, leading to prolonged hypoglycemic responses. The regulation of the counterregulatory response is largely determined by CRFR2-mediated suppression and CRFR1-mediated activation in the hypothalamus.
A team of Canadian and American researchers has identified the role of SHP-1 in regulating blood glucose levels and insulin sensitivity. The study used genetically modified mice to demonstrate that SHP-1 inhibition can improve glucose metabolism at the liver and muscle levels, potentially leading to new treatments for type 2 diabetes.
Researchers have successfully delivered insulin genes to the pancreas of rats using a new 'bubble' technique, resulting in lowered blood sugar levels and no damage to the organ. The technique, known as UTMD, delivers genes via microscopic bubbles that are burst with ultrasound, releasing the genes into the pancreas.
Men with metabolic syndrome are nearly twice as likely to develop heart failure as those without. The condition may directly affect the heart and boost fatty deposits in arteries, say researchers. Insulin resistance is thought to play a key role in this process.
A Joslin-led study has discovered that insulin signals to the liver differently for glucose and lipid metabolism, opening the door to developing targeted therapies. The research reveals new insights into phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway, which regulates insulin's action in the liver.
A recent study found that blocking ghrelin may improve insulin sensitivity and glucose control in mice, potentially providing a new approach for treating type 2 diabetes. However, the study also raised concerns about potential long-term risks of increasing ATP production by pancreatic cells.
Scientists have discovered a new mechanism for the formation of insulin crystals, which is crucial for understanding diabetes. The discovery, made by University of Houston researchers, provides insight into how insulin molecules attach to crystals and could lead to breakthroughs in various fields.
Researchers found a gene in obese mice that increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, which could lead to new drug targets and better diagnosis methods for humans. The study provides insight into how insulin-producing cells function and may help clinicians identify individuals at high risk of developing the disease.
Scientists have made significant breakthroughs in understanding how proteins are transported across cell membranes, a process fundamental to all living organisms. The findings could lead to new insights into the treatment of type-2 diabetes and other diseases.
The editorial concludes that inhaled insulin is not suitable for everyone with diabetes, citing high costs and limited long-term safety data. Despite this, individual physicians should discuss its use with patients on a case-by-case basis.
Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center found that beta cells can develop and grow normally even when both insulin and IGF-I receptors are missing. This discovery suggests the presence of independent growth factors and pathways necessary for beta cell development, which may lead to new treatments for people with diabetes.
Scientists discovered that Hap1 protein is linked to circulating insulin and regulates GABA receptors in the hypothalamus, controlling feeding behavior in mice. The study provides insights into how abnormalities of hypothalamic function contribute to diabetes and obesity.
Researchers found that administering losartan to rats with insensate third-degree burns reversed the insulin resistance caused by the burn injury, returning glucose levels to normal. The study suggests that blocking the renin-angiotensin system may be a key to preventing this condition in severe burn patients.
Researchers have found that liver signal STAT3 mediates the effects of brain insulin, which regulates glucose balance and insulin response. This discovery provides a potential therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes, a condition characterized by impaired glucose production in the liver.
Researchers discovered that consuming cinnamon improves insulin function, lowers glucose and lipid levels. Cloves also showed similar benefits for people with type 2 diabetes. The studies suggest that these spices may be useful in preventing or mitigating cardiovascular disease and other conditions related to inflammation.
Researchers found that insulin depletion in the brain triggers neurodegeneration, cognitive decline, and oxidative stress, leading to Alzheimer's symptoms. The study provides evidence for impaired insulin signaling as a key factor in Alzheimer's disease progression.
A recent study found that insulin levels increase in African American children during puberty, making them more susceptible to Type 2 diabetes. The study, which tracked participants over seven years, also revealed that pancreatic beta-cell function decreases in African American youth, further exacerbating the risk.
A Joslin Diabetes Center study reveals insulin's critical role in blood vessel formation, which may lead to new treatments for heart attacks in diabetes patients. The researchers found that insulin activates a pathway producing VEGF, essential for new blood vessel growth.
Research suggests that obesity is linked to accelerated type I diabetes onset in patients with severely compromised pancreatic beta-cell function. Low birth weight also appears to be a contributing factor, with advanced age at diagnosis observed as birth weight decreased.
A genetic mutation in a heart protein has been identified as a risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in African American infants. Diabetic patients may benefit from a nerve survival protein called GDNF to treat gastrointestinal disorders related to diabetes.
Research highlights insulin, BDNF, and GDNF as critical growth factors regulating alcohol's effects, including intoxication sensitivity and consumption behaviors. The study suggests these factors have potential applications in treating alcohol addiction.
Researchers found that therapies targeting brain insulin receptors can significantly improve blood sugar control and reduce insulin dose requirements. Gene therapy interventions also increased the animals' response to insulin therapy about 2-fold.
A high-fat diet suppresses the activity of GnT-4a glycosyltransferase, leading to impaired insulin secretion and type 2 diabetes. The study suggests that people with an inherited predisposition to type 2 diabetes may have variations in the gene for GnT-4a.
A single gene encoding the enzyme GnT-4a is key to enabling pancreatic beta cells to sense blood glucose levels and produce insulin. In mice fed a high-fat diet, this enzyme's suppression led to type 2 diabetes.
A long-term study of patients with type 1 diabetes found that early and aggressive treatment, including insulin pumps and lifestyle interventions, significantly lowered the risk of serious cardiovascular events. This approach was associated with a 58% reduction in cardiovascular risks compared to conventional blood glucose control.
Research by Corbett et al. reveals that islet cells are susceptible to necrosis when exposed to interleukin-1, a cytokine that triggers b-cell release of HMGB1. This process contributes to the development of diabetes.
A cohort study found that higher insulin concentrations and insulin resistance were associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer in male smokers. The study suggests that lifestyle changes to decrease glucose and insulin levels may help prevent pancreatic cancer development.
Researchers at Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine developed an accurate and cost-effective alternative to animal-derived insulin test kits. The new kit uses a synthetic medium, eliminating the need for animal serum and cells, and is expected to sell particularly well in Europe due to concerns about mad cow disease.
Researchers found that as Alzheimer's disease progresses, insulin receptors and the brain's ability to respond to insulin decrease. Insulin levels decline early on, leading to cell death and tangles in the brain.
A new cell transplantation technique has successfully restored insulin production in diabetic patients by injecting donor islet cells into the portal vein. The procedure, which uses a steroid-free protocol and sandwich closure method, showed promising results with all 13 patients producing insulin without major complications.
Researchers have identified potential natural compounds in foods like tea, cinnamon, and buckwheat that could help lower blood sugar levels and prevent complications associated with diabetes. Cherries contain anthocyanins, which increase insulin production when tested in laboratory studies.
Researchers argue that reducing carbohydrate intake is key to treating metabolic syndrome, as it can restore insulin responses and improve overall health. Studies have shown that carbohydrate reduction is more effective than fat reduction in addressing the various components of metabolic syndrome.
Scientists at the Salk Institute discovered a key cellular switch that instructs the liver to produce more glucose when blood sugar levels run low. The switch, called TORC2, limits its own activity to prevent excessive glucose production, which is missing in diabetic individuals.
Researchers at UVa have isolated a natural compound, INS2, that works by sending a message inside cells to respond to insulin, helping cells dispose of excess glucose. The study found that the more compound injected, the more blood sugar decreased in diabetic rats.
The Oct. 18 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine describes two new diabetes treatments: exenatide, an injected drug; and inhaled insulin. Exenatide improved overall sugar control, but patients experienced weight loss and more side effects compared to insulin glargine.
Researchers found that a high fat, low carbohydrate diet can improve Alzheimer's disease in mice by regulating insulin and promoting ketone body production. This study suggests that dietary components may influence the metabolic state of key aspects of Alzheimer's disease.
Three patients underwent gastric bypass surgery and developed severe hypoglycemia, requiring partial or complete pancreas removal. Abnormal insulin-producing islet cell proliferation was found in all cases.
A school-based fitness program demonstrates improved body composition, cardiovascular fitness, and insulin sensitivity in overweight children. The study suggests that incorporating physical activity into childhood education can have long-term health benefits.
High insulin levels block stress hormones, leading to excessive fat storage and energy imbalance. The study provides new understanding of insulin resistance in Type II diabetes and its potential link to obesity.
Scientists discover that amino acids enter the cell through a separate pathway than insulin, triggering the activation of S6K1 enzyme. This finding provides a potential new target for regulating obesity and insulin resistance.
The study found that SOCS-7-deficient mice have increased IRS protein levels and prolonged IRS activation, leading to enhanced insulin action and glucose homeostasis. The researchers also observed increased growth of pancreatic islets with elevated fasting insulin levels and hypoglycemia.
Researchers found that the protein Klotho extends lifespan in mice by making them resistant to insulin, but also increases risk of diabetes. The study offers promising hope for developing anti-aging therapies.
Researchers found that Sirt1 protein enhances glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in mice, improving glucose tolerance. The study suggests therapeutic interventions for the prevention and treatment of diabetes.