Stress hormone prompts insulin production – New hope for regeneration of beta cells
JDRF funded research in the US has found that a hormone associated with the body’s fight or flight instinct prompts beta cells to grow and to produce insulin.
These findings reinforce the potential of regeneration as a cure for diabetes and provide insights for discovering new approaches to treat people with diabetes by restoring or regenerating their ability to produce insulin.
JDRF- funded researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in California showed that the stress hormone CRF (corticotropin-releasing factor) could increase the rate at which insulin-producing cells in the pancreas expand in animal models.
Dr Wylie Vale, Ph.D., Professor and Head of the Clayton Laboratories for Peptide Biology said that being able to stimulate beta cells to divide faster “may be part of a solution that may ultimately, hopefully, allow management of type 1 diabetes.”
“But because type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, making the cells divide won’t be enough. That is why researchers are working hard to solve the problem of destruction of beta cells.”
See JDRF International for more information.
A possible cure would be my daughters biggest wish. She is 6 years and was diagnosed in may 09. We are still getting used to our new way of life……………
A cure would give my 16 year old son so much freedom and happiness. The daily struggle involved in dealing with this disease is so great.. Keep up the good work!!
I am with you on that one angi!! My son is 3 years old and was diagnosed oct 08 – when he had only just turned 2. Life is now and always will be a 'different kind of normal!!'
Well done JDRF we are very lucky to have so many committed researchers trying to
find a way to help all our loved ones.
Thanks
I have had Diabetes for 34 years. I was diagnosed at age 5. I remember from very early on been told by my doctors that a cure was close and just around the corner. That was 30 years ago. I doubt I will live to see a cure. I suppose what I am getting at is dare to dream, but don't expect a miracle cure anytime in the near future.
My daughter has had Diabetes for 32 years, since age 5 and Coeliac Disease since 24. Like Sam, we dare to dream and avidly study each new cure as they are announced. One day the miracle will happen but in the meantime I thank God and the researchers for the advances in insulin and management of this debilitating disorder.
hmmm… interesting.
my son always has hypos when he is stressed or challenged..!!???!!!
My Son got Type 1 diabetes at 16 years old no one in the famliy as got it it's the hardest thing to live with it's change our hole life i wish and pray for a cure everyday . I would love him to have his life back there are just to many up and downs we need a cure for everyone living with type one diabetes,