New Hope for Diabetics: Mouse Hormone

Betatrophin helps mice grow insulin-producing cells in pancreas
By Mark Russell,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 26, 2013 8:28 AM CDT
New Hope for Diabetics: Mouse Hormone
A newly discovered mouse hormone could eventually mean a huge improvement for those suffering from diabetes.   (Shutterstock)

A lowly mouse hormone holds hope for the country's soaring number of diabetics, a new study finds. It seems that betatrophin can grow new insulin-making beta cells in the pancreas; these are the same cells that are either dead (Type 1) or ineffective (Type 2) in diabetics, reports USA Today. "This is really an amazing discovery," said one expert, noting "this opens a whole new pathway to treating diabetes."

Researchers discovered betatrophin by chance, while studying an insulin-blocking compound. The mice they were using responded to the compound by upping production of betatrophin, causing more insulin-producing cells to grow. As usual, scientists caution that they are still a long way away from turning this discovery into a treatment—which would likely be a weekly or monthly hormone shot that would replace the daily regimen of insulin injections. (More diabetes stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X