Researchers find possible cure for type 1 diabetes
Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center might have found a possible cure for type 1 diabetes, converting it to a asymptomatic, non-insulin-dependent disorder.
“We’ve all been brought up to think insulin is the all-powerful hormone without which life is impossible, but that isn’t the case,” said Roger Unger, professor of internal medicine and senior author of the study appearing online and in the February issue of Diabetes in a news release. “If diabetes is defined as restoration of glucose homeostasis to normal, then this treatment can perhaps be considered very close to a ‘cure.’”
Studies on mice show that when glucagon, a hormone produced by the pancreas, is suppressed, insulin becomes completely unnecessary. The hormone's absence does not cause diabetes or any other abnormalities, according to the release.
Normally, glucagon prevents low blood sugar levels. In individuals with type 1 diabetes however, it causes high blood sugar.
Type 1 diabetes affects about one million people in the United States.
Comments (21)
7:26 p.m., Feb. 5, 2011
Michael Conroy said:
It would be only fitting that the cure would be found in the backyard of Camp Sweeeney. I pray that my child will be cured by this.
11:27 a.m., Feb. 6, 2011
mrwadell said:
in the 70 years of advanced research, i am shocked that so few people know ANYTHING out our disease. i offer my body for human testing.
11:35 a.m., Feb. 7, 2011
ukhomeopath said:
It is good to know Type 1 cure is on the horizon. I am a type 2 and have reversed my diabetes. I now no longer take any medication and only control with diet and exercise (at times- as I am a lazy fellow :))
11:39 a.m., Feb. 7, 2011
androulla zachariou said:
hey good news...how far away are we expecting it to become reality??
9:05 p.m., Feb. 8, 2011
Karen Persov said:
Certainly it would be fitting if a cure is found is Camp Sweeney's backyard. For my daughter, Camp Sweeney is HER cure..for all life's hardship that Type I diabetes brings. She once said to me that she would rather be diabetic than give up Sweeney.. how wonderful it would be if one-day it becomes a camp of "ex-Type I's". For almost 13 years' since she was diagnosed, I live in hope of a cure...one day...
1:04 a.m., Feb. 12, 2011
Amy said:
My child was diagnosed when she was six, she is now 11. When she was diagnosed the doc said "They are close to finding a cure, should be within five years". We are now going on seven........... still waiting.
10:50 p.m., Feb. 17, 2011
Kurt said:
Amy, I have heard "in five years" for over 20 years! There are over 400 cures that work in the mouse model of autoimmune diabetes, none of which have worked in humans. Don't hold your breath!
11:10 p.m., Feb. 20, 2011
Louise Bennett said:
I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when I was 14 and I'm now 16 going on 17. My diabetes nurse said she'll make no promises but there may be a cure within the next 20 years or so. I hope to god she's right. There has not been one period of time in two and a half years that my sugar levels have been 'average'. I just want it gone.
5:05 a.m., March 14, 2011
mrniceguy said:
Sorry to say and or hurt anyone's feelings.. nor do i wish to dash anyone's hopes.. Being a type 1 Diabetic for 11 years and i can tell you that the cure will never happen.. I say this for one reason.. Money.. There is to much money at stake.. Why cure 1,000,000 people with type 1 diabetes when you can make 10's of millions of dollars.. This goes the same for cancer.. .. But maybe I'm wrong..
7:01 p.m., March 15, 2011
phil said:
A researcher put together an injection with the essence of certain peppers and injected it directly into the pancreas of a Type I diabetic...the pancreas started pumping out insulin immediately. Since this happened no one has seen or heard from him again.
7:40 p.m., May 24, 2011
Jayden said:
I am type one! and i found something that vastly improved my life as a diabetic. I am now near 30 and have been insulin dependent for the majority of my life (since i was 9). I became a vegan in my 20's in hopes of controlling my blood sugar. I'm taking an herbal supplement from Asia. I heard about it through my friends wife. I am no longer insulin dependent! I wish i could email all of you because i feel like i owe my life to this product and i really hope to share it with other diabetics... If you get the chance please Google kings herbal. There is a list of the distributors in the united states on the original Asian website. I got mine from the distributor that lived in California since they had a website and 800 number. Apparently its some type of miracle drink. I took it 2 times a day for several months i really felt a change in my energy and mood. I no longer need my insulin . This has changed my life.
3:57 p.m., June 27, 2011
Lamia said:
@Jayden: Hi, i have 2 diabetes children and i'm looking for a cure. can you please tell me the exact name of this product you've been taking.
11:41 a.m., June 28, 2011
Lamia said:
@Jayden can you please tell me the exact name of this herbal that you've been using and the dose you've taken, i have 2 diabetes children and i'm looking for something to help them with.
1:28 p.m., Aug. 2, 2011
Stacey said:
Where in the world did Jayden go? Would love to know the name of the herb. Are you a distributor of herbs trying to make a quick buck, or are you actually using it? You can't just leave us diabetics hanging-what are you using?
2:06 a.m., Aug. 18, 2011
James said:
Iv had diabetes since i was 5 years old now im 15 its been a long 10 years and I realy think that there will be a cure within the next 5 to 10 years even if theres not its not the worst thing in the world to have diabetes and it took me a while to realise that
1:19 a.m., Dec. 19, 2011
amber fernandez said:
so when will we have a cure for T1 diabetes? hopefully soon.
9:39 p.m., April 19, 2012
Nathan said:
Diabetes has affected so much of my life its almost become part of me. So the thought of having a complete cure seems to good to be true. I really hope the profits on insulin and supplies don't hinder a chance for a future cure. They you can live a healthy normal life on insulin, but that is completely untrue. Diabetes has taken much from my life, specially in sports and fitness
8:53 a.m., Feb. 5, 2011
M.H.Morgan said:
This is great news. When will human trials begin ? A cure for Type 1 diabetes would be a giant step for mankind. Lets pray it works out.