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| Researchers find diabetes trigger, possible cheap'n'easy fix | |
| 2005-02-01 | |
| Researchers in Boston have pinpointed a primary trigger for the most common form of diabetes and have uncovered evidence that simple, inexpensive aspirin-like drugs could keep the disease that affects millions in check. The researchers, from Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, discovered a genetic ''master switch" in the liver that is turned on when people become obese. Obesity has long been linked to diabetes, but the reason, until now, has been unknown. Joslin researchers found that once on, this switch produces low-level inflammation, which disrupts the body's ability to process insulin, causing type 2 diabetes. But the researchers took the finding one step further. Reasoning that aspirin-like drugs are used to quell inflammation, they successfully used the drugs, called salicylates, to eliminate the symptoms of type 2 diabetes in mice. Human tests are already underway in Boston, though no results have been published. ''These drugs, among the safest drugs known, can do a surprisingly good job of toning down this inflammation," said Joslin researcher Dr. Steven E. Shoelson, lead author of the paper. ''These are hopeful ideas for the future." Shoelson warned against rushing out to get salicylates. Their effectiveness has been proved thus far only in mice.
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| Posted by:trailing wife |
| #4 And what will all the diabetes foundations do when their disease is cured? A woman scientist thought she could solve diabetes using cheap drugs, but no one -- no org would fund it - Iacocca donated $11 million, he wants to see it cured before he dies. I think Bros. Judd has it in their archives. |
| Posted by: anonymous2u 2005-02-01 6:31:38 PM |
| #3 Next question - why does obesity cause the switch to turn off? A possible reason is an evolutionary mechanism to stop people getting too fat. Type II diabetes is most prevalent in populations closest to hunter-gather livestyles, i.e. those least able to control their food supply. |
| Posted by: phil_b 2005-02-01 4:01:22 PM |
| #2 This is huge! If indeed type II could be controlled by aspirin like drugs it would impact millions of Americans and would decrease health costs by trillions, as diabetes I and II creates many secondary health problems. Type II and increased risk of heart attack go hand and hand. I wonder if this is the reason why aspirin use decreases the statistical chance for a heart attack. Next question - why does obesity cause the switch to turn off? |
| Posted by: 2b 2005-02-01 2:56:50 PM |
| #1 I have fat mice. They won't take their pills. This looks like a job for mucky. |
| Posted by: Chuck Simmins 2005-02-01 2:12:09 PM |