Diabetes team finds new hormone that could transform care

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