New discovery: Serotonin involved in the production of beta cells
Serotonin is commonly known as “the happy hormone” for its role in managing and moderating human behavior and mood but a recent discovery by JDRF scientists have shown that it also plays a rather different role – triggering the growth of new beta cells in pregnant women.
It’s been known for a while that women can produce new beta cells to allow for the increase in insulin needed to supply energy during pregnancy but how this happens has been a mystery. In an exciting new discovery, a team of JDRF researchers have identified key steps in this process and shown that serotonin is one of the triggers.
According to lead researcher Dr Michael German, from the University of California, pregnancy hormones turn on a gene in the pancreas, causing in the production of serotonin in the pancreas which acted to stimulate the production of new beta cells. Researchers also showed that the process can also be reversed to stop beta cell production.
While at first glance they may not seem to be a significant breakthrough for people with type 1 diabetes, it actually has tremendous implications for the development of new regeneration treatments.
“These findings uncover a previously unknown pathway with a relatively simple trigger,” says JDRF Head of Research Dr Dorota Pawlak, “and provided answers to some fundamental questions limiting our progress in the JDRF beta cell regeneration program.”
“The primary aim of this research area is to trigger the body to produce its own beta cells, either by copying existing ones or inducing the pancreas to make new ones. By doing this we can enable people with type 1 diabetes to produce their own insulin without the need for transplant surgery.”
“The next step for this research is to identify specific mechanisms along the pathway that could be used as a safe and effective target for new beta cell regeneration therapies.”
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My grand daughter is a patient of type 1 diabetes. When she was about six months old. Now she is three years old. Previously she used to eat food but for the last 5 – 6 months not eating her food and bothering too much.
Daily her sugar level goes upto 300 and also go down to 25 – 30.
Kindly advise.
Thanks
Parvez Elahi
Karachi Pakistan
My 7 year old daughter and husband have recently been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. That's fabulous news about the new research. Keep up the good work JDRF.
My brave little son who is only 6 years old has just been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes – the whole family is completely overwelmed. For my son's sake we are trying to be brave and always tell him that one day someone will invent something so Mummy doesn't have to put injections in his little legs that are so thin. I pray that this day will soon come – for my son and for all the other people who have to endure this hideous disease.
Leanne, I know exactly how you feel as my son was diagnosed at the same age as your child is. However he is now a very healthy 47 year old, father of three girls, and his only health problem is a limp due to a motor cycle accident. He is the youngest of four so at times it looked like I was spoiling him as in those days there was no BGL testing so hypos were difficult to deal with. Make sure he meets other diabetic kids at camp or meetings and he will be OK.
Rae Rosten.
we see all these !!!!!!! this could be a cure!!!!! that could be a cure !!!!!!!close to a cure !!!!!!please just find a cure xxxxx