The leptin could offer an alternative to insulin to manage the complication of type 1 diabetes

More than a decade ago. Similarly, researchers found that an acute complication of type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), can be resolved with hormonal leptin, even in the absence of insulin. However,

An analysis published today in Le Journal of Clinical Investigation Explain how leptin affects the brain. Nevertheless, how it could be used in future therapies. Consequently,

The DKA occurs when the body is unable to make insulin and begins to break down fats for fuel. In addition, This can lead to a fatal accumulation of sugar (glucose) and ketoacids in the blood. In addition, Doctors generally administered insulin to remedy the complication, noted the authors. However,

But evidence now shows that when insulin is insufficient. Furthermore, the brain plays a key role in the conduct of leptin could offer alternative insulin the DKA, according to the new analysis, based on the literature and research which includes studies carried out in Uw Medicine since 2011. Therefore,

When the pancreas cannot make insulin. Furthermore, “the brain receives the message that the body is out of fuel, even if it is not the case. In addition, This information is communicated in part by a low blood level of hormonal leptin, “said Dr. Furthermore, Michael Schwartz, professor of medicine, metabolism, endocrinology and nutrition division at the University of Washington Medicine. Furthermore,

The leptin helps the brain to regulate appetite and body weight. Meanwhile, The leptin is produced by fatty cells in your body. The hormone is transported by blood circulation in your brain, in particular an area called the hypothalamus. It is the part of your brain that controls when and how much you eat. Insufficient leptin leads the brain to activate the leptin could offer alternative insulin circuits that mobilize energy sources, including glucose and ketones.

Schwartz. his team discovered this link in 2011 when they administered the leptin for the first time in the brain of rats and mice with type 1 diabetes. At first, nothing happened. But four days later. they were surprised when the blood sugar and the animal ketone became completely normal, despite a serious continuous insulin deficiency.

“I think the most astonishing thing is that blood sugar just fell, but the levels have broken down,” he said. “If you try to raise them, they have returned. If you try to lower them, they came back. »»

These responses suggest that the brain can maintain normal blood sugar even in the absence of insulin, said Schwartz.

At the time, the community of research on diabetes did not know what to do with discovery.

“We now have a much better leptin could offer alternative insulin understanding of an observation which was widely ignored by the scientific community during its first statement in 2011. ” said Schwartz.

Schwartz said he would request FDA approval to start human trials to test whether leptin is capable of. normalizing blood sugar in people with type 1 diabetes.

Positive results would open the door to pharmaceutical therapies for type 1 diabetes which targets the brain.

“This is one of the most exciting discoveries of my career,” said the co-author, Dr. Irl Hirsch. president of treatment and teaching of diabetes of the Uw Medicine and professor of metabolism, endocrinology and nutrition at the University of Washington University.

Hirsch said blood sugar control with leptin could unlock new treatment paths for patients.

“Do not get me wrong. discovering insulin 104 years ago is one of the greatest discoveries of the last century,” said Hirsch, who has suffered from type leptin could offer alternative insulin 1 diabetes since childhood. “But this is the next step. It could be a better way. »»

Schwartz noted that insulin management is a substantial burden for patients and their families.

“I think that if you could treat type 1 diabetes without daily insulin injections. blood suicide, patients would say that it is the best thing that is,” he added.

If the brain can be convinced that fuel reserves are not exhausted. or if specific brain neurons that trigger the production of glucose and ketones are disabled, the body stops the reaction that leads to severe hyperglycemia and ADK.

“This new framework questions conventional wisdom about insulin deficiency as the only cause of diabetic ketoacidosis which has been widely accepted for decades. ” said Schwartz. Additionally, “This shows that the brain plays a powerful role in the genesis of uncontrolled diabetes -. can keep the key to leptin could offer alternative insulin new treatments. »»

The funding of this research was supported by the National Institutes of Health (Grants DK083042. DK101997, DP2DK128802, DK089056, DK124238 and S10OD036208); The research center on the obesity of nutritional obesity funded by the NIH-NIDDK (NORC P30DK035816), the Diabetes Research Center (DRC P30DK017047) and diabetes, obesity and metabolism training subsidy (T32 DK007247) at Washington University; And the medical research program evaluated by the peers of the Ministry of Defense (W81XWH-20-1-0250).