New Drug Therapy Could Reverse Type 1 Diabetes
Researchers at the University of Virginia were able to reverse Type 1 diabetes in 70% of the diabetic mice tested by using a combination of 2 drugs, Lisofylline and INGAP, according to reporter Mark Tenia.
This may be the only type of medication for people with existing Type 1 Diabetes," said Dr. Jerry Nadler, director of Endocrinology and Metabolism at the University of Virginia. "We're very excited about the findings and these mice simulate what happens in people with type 1 diabetes," he added.
Lisofylline, stops the body from destroying insulin producing cells while INGAP, helps the body regenerate new cells that create insulin.
"The most exciting part to us is that this combination therapy approach could actually go to the clinic in a reasonably short period of time," said Nadler.
Both drugs have already been tested in humans in clinical trials separately. Safety testing that usually takes years and years, has already been passed."Even if it works partially well and helps the body regenerate some insulin producing cells that stay functional, that's a major advance. There's no other therapy like that out there," said Nadler. If all goes well, Dr. Nadler says that the drugs could be available to the public within three to five years.
