Private MD News
Home |
News |
Diabetes
Scientists study grapes, get closer to new diabetes treatment
Updated: 2009-10-07 22:28:36 CST Category: Diabetes
by Brendan Missett
A molecule found in red grapes may be a key element in attempts to curb the symptoms of type-2 diabetes, new research suggests.
A study which will appear in the December 2009 issue of the journal Endocrinology determined that the molecule, called resveratrol, lessened the severity of diabetes when delivered orally to mice.
The researchers, who determined that the grape component affected the way the brain regulated insulin levels, believe that similar oral medications which target the brain may be the frontier in diabetes treatment.
According to the Endocrine Society, resveratrol works by stimulating a class of proteins, called sirtuins, that have previously been associated with the beneficial effects of a low calorie diet. Sirtuins are expressed in areas of the brain that control glucose metabolism.
Dr Roberto Coppari, co-author of the study, said the research team set out to test if the brain could regulate resveratrol's positive effects. "We found that resveratrol did activate sirtuins in the brains of mice which resulted in improving their high levels of blood sugar and insulin."
With this new study researchers believe they can turn their focus to developing sirtuin activators that target the brain.
In the meantime, the American Diabetes Association recommends the A1C diabetes test to diagnose and treat the condition.

Related Articles from Private MD:
Share on Facebook
Subscribe to Private MD Health News RSS Feed: 
News Categories:
Advanced Lipid Treatment I
Allergy Testing
Anemia and RBC disorders
Autoimmune Diseases
Bariatric Lab Testing
Blood and Blood Diseases
Breast
Cancer Detection and Tumor Markers
Celiac Disease Testing
Chlamydia
Coagulation and blood clotting disorders
Colon
Diabetes
DNA, Paternity and Genetic testing
Drug Screening
Environmental Toxin Testing
Female Specific Tests
Gastrointestinal Diseases
General Health
General Wellness
Heart Health and Cholesterol
Herpes
HIV
HIV monitoring/Treatment/Testing/Post Diagnos
Hormones and Metabolism
Infectious Diseases
Infertility Testing-Male
Infertitlity Hormone Testing
Kidney Diseases
Leukemia and WBC disorders
Liver
Liver Diseases
Lyme Disease
Male Specific Tests
Menopause/Peri-Menopausal Diagnosis
Organ Specific Testing
Ovarian
Prostate
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Thyroid Diseases
Vitamin D Deficiency-Diagnosis and Treatment
Visit the Health News Archive: Click Here
Questions about online blood testing or how to order a lab test? Click
here to get started or call us toll-free at
1.877.283.7882. Our certified professionals are ready to assist
you.