Category Archives: Diabetes

By Serena Gordon HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, June 5 (HealthDay News) -- Using an immune-suppressing medication and adult stem cells from healthy donors, researchers say they were able to cure type 1 diabetes in mice.

"This is a whole new concept," said the study's senior author, Habib Zaghouani, a professor of microbiology and immunology, child health and neurology at the University of Missouri School of Medicine in Columbia, Mo.

In the midst of their laboratory research, something unanticipated occurred. The researchers expected that the adult stem cells would turn into functioning beta cells (cells that produce insulin). Instead, the stem cells turned into endothelial cells that generated the development of new blood vessels to supply existing beta cells with the nourishment they needed to regenerate and thrive.

"I believe that beta cells are important, but for curing this disease, we have to restore the [blood vessels]," Zaghouani said.

It's much too early to know if this novel combination would work in humans. But the findings could stimulate new avenues of research, another expert says.

"This is a theme we've seen a few times recently. Beta cells are plastic and can respond and expand when the environment is right," said Andrew Rakeman, a senior scientist in beta cell regeneration at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). "But, there's some work still to be done. How do we get from this biological mechanism to a more conventional therapy?"

Results of the study were published online May 28 in Diabetes.

The exact cause of type 1 diabetes, a chronic disease sometimes called juvenile diabetes, remains unclear. It's thought to be an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and damages insulin-producing beta cells (found in islet cells in the pancreas) to the point where they no longer produce insulin, or they produce very little insulin. Insulin is a hormone necessary to convert the carbohydrates from food into fuel for the body and brain.

Zaghouani said he thinks the beta cell's blood vessels may just be collateral damage during the initial autoimmune attack.

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Stem Cell Therapy Cures Type 1 Diabetes in Mice

Potential Diabetes Breakthrough
HSCI Co-Director Doug Melton and postdoctoral fellow Peng Yi have discovered a hormone that holds promise for a dramatically more effective treatment of type...

By: harvardstemcell

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Potential Diabetes Breakthrough - Video

THURSDAY, April 25 (HealthDay News) -- A hormone that could lead to more effective diabetes treatment has been identified by researchers.

The hormone, called betatrophin, causes mice to produce insulin-secreting pancreatic beta cells at up to 30 times the normal rate. But it only produces insulin when the body needs it, according to the team at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute.

The researchers said their findings offer the potential for the natural regulation of insulin and a significant reduction in diabetes-related complications such as blindness and limb amputation.

The study is published in the April 25 online edition of the journal Cell and in its May 9 print issue.

Although the hormone shows promise in lab mice, much more work is needed before it could be considered as a treatment for diabetes in humans, the researchers noted. Results obtained in animal experiments often aren't attainable in trials with humans.

"If this could be used in people, it could eventually mean that instead of taking insulin injections three times a day, you might take an injection of this hormone once a week or once a month, or in the best case maybe even once a year," Doug Melton, co-director of the institute and co-chair of Harvard University's department of stem cell and regenerative biology, said in a university news release.

About 26 million Americans have type 2 diabetes, which causes people to slowly lose beta cells and the ability to produce sufficient amounts of insulin.

"Our idea here is relatively simple," Melton said. "We would provide this hormone, the type 2 diabetic will make more of their own insulin-producing cells, and this will slow down, if not stop, the progression of their diabetes. I've never seen any treatment that causes such an enormous leap in beta cell replication."

Along with its potential for treating type 2 diabetes, betatrophin might also have a role in treating type 1 diabetes, Melton said.

Unlike type 2 diabetes, which is associated with being overweight and sedentary, type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that occurs most often in children and young adults.

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Hormone Shows Potential as Diabetes Treatment in Mice

By Maggie Fox, Senior Writer, NBC News

Researchers trying to find a cure for diabetes said Thursday they had discovered a new hormone, previously unknown to medicine, that makes the very cells destroyed by the disease. It has the potential to transform the way we now care for diabetes the No. 7 killer in the United States, the researchers said.

The new hormone, which they have named betatrophin, encourages the growth of beta cells in the pancreas. These beta cells produce insulin, which people with diabetes lack. Without insulin, sugar can build up in the blood, damaging organs and blood vessels and causing blindness, kidney failure and the loss of limbs.

So far the team at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute have only worked in mice. But they say humans make betatrophin, too, and its almost identical to the mouse type.

It is very exciting to think this could turn into a treatment for people, Dr. Douglas Melton, who led the work, told NBC News.

We discovered that only one gene was responsible for making more of these insulin-producing beta cells. Once we were able to make the hormone as a protein, like insulin, then we would be able to administer it.

Nearly 26 million Americans have diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 90 percent have type 2, which is linked to poor diet and a lack of enough exercise, although theres a genetic component, too. Type 1 or juvenile diabetes is caused whenthe bodys immune system mistakenly attacks the pancreatic beta cells.

Both types can eventually leave patients without the ability to make insulin properly. In type 1 diabetes and some cases of type 2, patients must inject insulin when they eat to make sure the body metabolizes the food properly and doesnt get too much or too little sugar.

Its tricky and most people dont get it just right. Many researchers are trying to find something better.

Meltons lab has been focused on regenerating or replacing beta cells. His colleague Peng Yi stumbled on the new hormone and the team was astonished to find that an overlooked gene controlled production of a hormone that directly stimulates beta cell growth.

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Diabetes team finds new hormone that could transform care

By Roger Dobson

PUBLISHED: 22:48 EST, 11 March 2013 | UPDATED: 23:38 EST, 11 March 2013

Sitting in a diving chamber may be a new treatment for type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the condition.

Scientists are combining the treatment with injections of a patients own stem cells in a bid to kick-start insulin production.

They believe the high levels of oxygen in the chamber boosts the activity of the stem cells, helping them to repair the cells in the body that produce insulin.

There are around 2.9 million Britons with diabetes, with most of them suffering from type 2

In a new trial, patients with type 2 diabetes reduced their need for insulin and metformin (a common diabetes drug) with some no longer needing the insulin at all.

So-called hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves a patient sitting in a pressurised chamber.

The high-pressure atmosphere means they breathe in three times as much oxygen as they would normally.

The treatment is normally used for helping divers who have surfaced too quickly and have the bends (where bubbles of nitrogen form in the blood).

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Diabetes : Deep-sea diving tank combined with stem cells to treat condition

Mike Maldonado uses exercise to fight Diabetes and Cancer
Mike had Type 1 Diabetes and got into working out after he recovered from a Coma caused by Diabetes. He started working out after his doctor asked him to gain some weight. After exercising Mike gained muslce and he seem to be fine. After some time he was diagnosed with Cancer (Lymphoma) and had also formed a tumour under his heart. He lost about 80 lbs in two weeks. His cancer got into his bone marrow and copromised his immune system. Chemotherapy, Radiation Therapy didn #39;t help much. Bone Marrow transplant didn #39;t work because the donor did not come through. Stem Cell transplant helped him recover. After gaining some strength Mike was able to go to the gym and started gaining weight and his muscle back. He now also has a Coronary Heart disease and his life expectancy is unknown, but Mike has not given up and keeps training to stay strong. He is a true inspiration and a true hero. Mike thinks our mind can overcome any obstacle and our body can overcome anything that we set our mind to. We should live a healthy lifestyle.

By: Romi Gill

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Mike Maldonado uses exercise to fight Diabetes and Cancer - Video

Jan. 31, 2013 New research has shown the presence of a disease affecting small blood vessels, known as microangiopathy, in the bone marrow of diabetic patients. While it is well known that microangiopathy is the cause of renal damage, blindness and heart attacks in patients with diabetes, this is the first time that a reduction of the smallest blood vessels has been shown in bone marrow, the tissue contained inside the bones and the main source of stem cells.

These precious cells not only replace old blood cells but also exert an important reparative function after acute injuries and heart attacks. The starvation of bone marrow as a consequence of microangiopathy can lead to a less efficient healing in diabetic patients. Also, stem cells from a patient's bone marrow are the most used in regenerative medicine trials to mend hearts damaged by heart attacks. Results from this study highlight an important deficit in stem cells and supporting microenvironment that can reduce stem cells' therapeutic potential in diabetic patients.

The research team, led by Professor Paolo Madeddu, Chair of Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine in the School of Clinical Sciences and Bristol Heart Institute at the University of Bristol, investigated the effect of diabetes on bone marrow stem cells and the nurturing of small blood vessels in humans.

The new study, published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation Research, was funded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

The researchers have shown a profound remodelling of the marrow, which shows shortage of stem cells and surrounding vessels mainly replaced by fat, especially in patients with a critical lack of blood supply to a tissue (ischaemia). This means that, as peripheral vascular complications progress, more damage occurs in the marrow. In a vicious cycle, depletion of bone marrow stem cells worsens the consequences of peripheral ischaemia.

Investigation of underpinning mechanisms revealed that exposure of bone marrow stem cells to the high glucose level typical of diabetes mellitus impacts on "microRNAs," which are tiny RNA molecules controlling gene expression and hence biological functions. In particular, microRNA-155, that normally controls the production of stem cells, becomes dramatically reduced in bone marrow cells exposed to high glucose. Diabetes-induced deficits are corrected by reintroducing microRNA-155 in human stem cells. The authors foresee that microRNAs could be used to regain proper stem cells number in diabetes and fix stem cells before reintroduction into a patient's body.

Professor Paolo Madeddu said: "Our study draws attention to the bone marrow as a primary target of diabetes-induced damage. The research suggests that the severity of systemic vascular disease has an impact on bone marrow causing a precocious senescence of stem cells. More severe bone marrow pathologies can cause, or contribute to, cardiovascular disease and lead to worse outcomes after a heart attack, through the shortage of vascular regenerative cells. Clinical evidence indicates that achieving a good control of glucose levels is fundamental to prevent vascular complications, but is less effective in correcting microangiopathy. We need to work hard to find new therapies for mending damaged microvessels."

Professor Costanza Emanueli, Chair of Vascular Pathology and Regeneration at the University of Bristol and co-author of the paper, added: "MicroRNAs represent an attractive means to repair the marrow damage and generate "better" stem cells for regenerative medicine applications. We are working at protocols using microRNA targeting for enhancing the therapeutic potential of stem cells before their transplantation to cure heart and limb ischaemia, which are often associated with diabetes mellitus. More work is, however, necessary before using this strategy in patients."

The findings advance the current understanding of pathological mechanisms leading to collapse of the vascular niche and reduced availability of regenerative cells. The data provides a key for interpretation of diabetes-associated defect in stem cell mobilisation following a heart attack. In addition, the research reveals a new molecular mechanism that could in the future become the target of specific treatments to alleviate vascular complications in patients with diabetes.

Professor Jeremy Pearson, Associate Medical Director at the BHF said: "Professor Madeddu and his team have shown for the first time that the bone marrow in patients with diabetes can't release stem cells which are important for the repair of blood vessel damage commonly found in people with the disease.

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Diabetes distresses bone marrow stem cells by damaging their microenvironment

The commonly prescribed diabetes drug metformin could potentially double as an effective form of ovarian cancer treatment, according to a new study.

Researchers from the Mayo Clinic found that ovarian cancer patients who also had diabetes lived longer than other ovarian cancer patients when they were taking metformin. According to the scientists, they had been researching the link between metformin and its potential anti-cancer properties for many years.

We had a pretty good idea that metformin has anti-cancer activity, because a lot of people around the world have been reporting the link between metformin intake and a protective effect against cancer for a number of years now, Dr. Sanjeev Kumar, a Mayo Clinic gynecologic oncology fellow, told FoxNews.com. [Viji Shridhar, one of the studys co-authors,] has been conducting a lot of experiments in her lab and has published extensively in the area, so we had a lot of cell data, mice data and then we decided to test our hypothesis in humans.

Kumar and his colleagues examined 239 ovarian cancer patients, 61 of whom were taking metformin. Compared with the other 178 patients, those taking metformin had a much higher survival rate with 67 percent of the metformin-taking patients surviving after five years, versus 47 percent of those who were not taking the medication.

When taking into consideration other factors such as the patients body mass indexes or the severity of their cancer those who were taking metformin were four times more likely to survive than those who did not take the medication.

As for why the diabetes drug is so protective against cancer, the researchers cannot say for sure but there are a few theories.

Thats something that is actively under investigation right now, but people think that it may have a few areas on which [the drug] is active, Kumar said. It has been shown to inhibit the region of cancer cells, and it also seems to inhibit the energy supply to the cell. And it also may be acting on the cancer stem cells cancer stem cells are thought to be engines of cancer growth.

While the results of the study are promising, Kumar and Shridhar caution that the drug would not be a cure for ovarian cancer. Instead, it could potentially be used in combination with already existing ovarian cancer treatments to provide patients with the best overall therapy.

It can be very beneficial, because the best part about metformin is that it has a very, very good safety profile, and it has been in use for a long, long time, Kumar said. Its one of the most commonly prescribed diabetes medications. We already have a lot of safety data for this medication, and its FDA approved.

Ovarian cancer is currently the fifth most common cancer among women and is the most deadly form of female reproductive cancer, according to the National Institutes of Health. Patients are rarely diagnosed with ovarian cancer during its early stages, and the cancer has usually progressed extensively by the time it is caught.

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Common diabetes drug could fight ovarian cancer

Stem Cells Lupus Testimony Stem Alive
for more information about how to obtain Stem Alive you can call 559 667 8633. My name is Laura Castanon and Ive been taking the product Stem Alive, a natural stem cell activator, since march 2012. Stem Alive has helped me and other people with Lupus problems. Also people with arthritis, asthma, anemia, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.From:Antonio CastanonViews:3 0ratingsTime:09:05More inPeople Blogs

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Stem Cells Lupus Testimony Stem Alive - Video

Lack of funds for a diabetes study is putting at risk work that could place Dunedin at the forefront of stem cell research, University of Otago haematologist and cell biologist Dr Jim Faed says.

In the wake of the global financial crisis, traditional funding sources had "dried up", he said.

Preliminary laboratory work for the stem cell research on diabetes type 1 sufferers at the Spinal Cord Society Research Laboratory has been put on hold.

However, it was hoped public support would get the study back on track and see it start next year, as planned.

Only a few thousand dollars of the $1.8 million needed had been raised, but project leaders were determined to stay positive, he said.

The trial had the potential to find a cure for, or improve the treatment of, diabetes type 1 and other autoimmune diseases.

"This is much bigger than I think many people have realised. We are standing on the brink of huge change in how a number of diseases are going to be treated. I think, in the next few years, we're going to see these diseases tackled effectively."

The trial would build on Chicago research that demonstrated improvement in diabetes type 1 sufferers with use of stem cells from umbilical cords.

Umbilical cord stem cells were shown to increase insulin production in even the most severe diabetics.

The Dunedin study would replicate the study, using stem cell tissue from bone marrow.

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Diabetes study hit by lack of funds