Sensory Nerves & T1 Research in Toronto

[billybob_jcv]

My first post here, I hope this isn't old news, but I was shocked when I saw this today:
http://www.sickkids.ca/mediaroom/custom/diabetesopen06.asp

I'm confused - I thought the islets were completely destroyed by T1 - how could they be "reactivated"? Do they mean it is only for newly diagnosed patients?

[Amy C.]

I am not a scientist, but this is my understanding of what some scientists are thinking about type 1 diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes involves an autoimmune process that effectively destroys islet cells such that they cannot produce insulin. This does not mean that new islet cells no longer grow. I think one theory is that the body does try to grow islet cells, but the cells are destroyed before they can start producing insulin. The autoimmune process overwhelms the potential growth of the beta cells. This testing with mice shows that if the continual destruction could be stopped (in mice), the cells seems to complete their growth and produce insulin again.

Some women with type 1 diabetes experiece a simlar phenomena when pregnant. The immune system allows the growth of the baby and also allows some growth of the beta cells. These women start to produce their own insulin for a while when pregnant.

[DadCares]

Here are several web sites related to this latest research. This new discovery is very intriguing.

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=a042812e-492c-4f07-8245-8a598ab5d1bf&k=63970&p=1

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/130/117839.htm

http://ewatch.prnewswire.com/rs/display.jsp?a=19235-268197588-750073631&key=D|128396|S|0|x|268197588

For those who want a more detailed medical description:
http://www.cell.com/content/article/fulltext?uid=PIIS0092867406014656

[cassandra]

wow. this is interesting!!!! what a crazy development!!! and if they are right and it is a nerve disease, all we have to do is take this substance P and all is cured?!? insane.

[cassandra]

so... this substance P... is the same as capsaicin, the main ingredient in chili peppers...

http://www.netscape.com/viewstory/2007/01/04/red-hot-chili-peppers-may-cure-type-1-diabetes/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mercola.com%2F2006%2Fjan%2F4 %2Fred-hot-chili-peppers-may-cure-type-1-diabetes.htm&frame=true
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capsaicin


so, maybe it IS bogus, but eating a few peppers to test it out on my own couldn't hurt anyone... right?

[DadCares]

Cassandra:

Thank you for the comic relief. Go for it and bring us a full report! I'll bet it's more complicated than that.

I'm really intrigued to hear what some of the other top researchers have to say about this study. I would think all of them would be reviewing their own studies to see if the nervous system could have played a role in their research, yet they didn't realize the nervous system was involved at the time. If anyone sees an update from Dr. Jerry Nadler (University Virginia), Massimo Truccco (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center), Dr. Denise Faustman, and many of the other researchers, please post an update.

[rickst29]

so, maybe it IS bogus, but eating a few peppers to test it out on my own couldn't hurt anyone... right?
If eating your chili peppers doesn't hurt, and doesn't make your forehead break out in sweat, then you need stronger chili peppers :D (Habaneros will do the job, if you avoid the 'mild' versions and get the really strong ones.)

But eating the peppers won't do it. If you have one of those Glucagon kits lying around, with the REALLY LONG NEEDLE, you can try "turkey basting" yourself (strained chili liquid in the needle in one hand, anatomy textbook in the other, mirror on the ceiling) :eek:

Now I don't want to make this post too spicy for CWD, but you *DO* already have a mirror on the ceiling, right? :p

[Emmasmommy]

Hi all I just thought i would put my 2 cents in. We are from Ontario and my daughter atends the sick kids hospital clinic. I have been talking to my daughters team about this break through and tho it is very promising it will not "cure" all.....they are looking at it like maybe 25% of the kids in the clinic may be cured but not all. not all diabties is related to the nurves system but hey this is a great start and I just pray that this is just the sart of great things to come

[DadCares]

Does anyone have an update on this study? I was curious which laboratory or university was taking the lead on a next round of research.