Exciting news out of Oregon State University this week. Researchers there have “cured” mice of mild diabetes by enhancing production of an enzyme called fatty acid elongase-5. Through genetic manipulation they were able to increase levels of the enzyme to the point that it “restored normal function to diseased livers in mice, restored normal levels of blood glucose and insulin, and effectively corrected the risk factors incurred with diet-induced diabetes.”
Researchers were surprised by these remarkable results, though they caution that the genetic manipulation process used in the study might not be the best solution for humans. The optimum avenue for human treatment might be a drug that induces the same increase in fatty acid elongase-5 production. There are already a few drugs on the market that accomplish this to a degree.
Researchers aren’t certain the precise mechanism by which the enzyme corrects diabetes and stipulate that much more study needs to be done. They did note, however, that a high-fat diet appears to suppress fatty acid elongase-5 production. (Another reason to pursue a low-fat diet.)
Exciting new diabetes research like this is happening every day at universities, hospitals and diabetes centers nationwide. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on all the newest developments.