[Starlight]

By Megan Rauscher
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - In type 1 diabetes, which by definition indicates a lack of insulin production, the insulin-producing "beta" cells in the pancreas are thought to be wiped out. However, that may not be exactly the case.

The results of a new study provide some of the first evidence in humans that the pancreas continues to form beta cells even in the setting of long-standing type 1 diabetes, suggesting a possible new treatment strategy.

"The implication is that type 1 diabetes could, theoretically, be cured if we could stop the new insulin-secreting cells being destroyed," Dr. Peter C. Butler from the University of California in Los Angeles told Reuters Health. Butler presented his team's findings at the American Diabetes Association's annual meeting in San Diego.

Type 1 diabetes results when beta cells are mistakenly attacked and destroyed by the body in an autoimmune reaction. Until now, the only hope of reversing the disease seemed to be replacement of beta cells by transplantation.

Butler's team has now shown that, among 42 individuals who had type 1 diabetes for decades -- in some cases up to 60 years -- the majority (88 percent) still had detectable insulin-producing beta cells in their pancreas.

"Most interesting," Butler said, "we note that these cells have a high death rate by autoimmune destruction, implying that there must be ongoing new insulin-producing cells being formed. Therefore, type 1 diabetes may be reversible by targeted inhibition of beta cell destruction."

A lot more work lies ahead before that becomes possible. "What we do not know yet is what rate these calls are being produced or how they are being produced," Butler said. "These questions are currently being actively addressed in studies by our group, funded by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation."

I found that on another forum. Very interesting. What are your thoughts?

[Amanda_Jo22]

Thanks for the article, Starlight! That was an interesting read. Hopefully they can find a way to stop the body from destroying the beta cells.

[Lorna]

Sounds good in theory, but not hopeful, im afraid.

[bel4_20]

I hope to God there on to something, but in a firm believer of the no cure due to money. I believe there is a cure for a lot of things but it will never happen. I mean come on...they can put a man on the moon and they cant cure a simple cold?.... Gimme a break that's my 2cents.

[duck]

Originally Posted by bel4_20

I hope to God there on to something, but in a firm believer of the no cure due to money. I believe there is a cure for a lot of things but it will never happen. I mean come on...they can put a man on the moon and they cant cure a simple cold?.... Gimme a break that's my 2cents.

(please forgive me if I offend)

You know they're still kicking Jonas Salk's *** for coming up with a cure to Polio, and not a "treatment"...

[Harold]

Starlight you might find the Hypos and Nervous thread interesting.

[Starlight]

I understand about the money issue- i look at the millions of dollers being donated- and i think to myself..what on earth? days and months and years of research is bound to create a cure. We are the ones who are sufforing- let us know. I want a **** cure!

[DeusXM]

If this is the case, then this is actually a bit of a setback. If insulin-producing cells are still being produced but are being destroyed anyway, this means that any kind of regenerative treatment based on stem cells is not a cure but a temporary treatment.