A new medication called vildagliptin restores normal function of the two pancreatic cells that regulate blood sugar, and should be a nice step forward in diabetes control, researchers from the Health Science Center reported June 10 at the American Diabetes Association 66th Scientific Sessions in Washington, D.C.
The study showed that vildagliptin restores the activity of beta cells, which secrete the hormone insulin to curb plasma glucose and which start to malfunction as the body becomes insulin resistant. Importantly, the drug also suppresses alpha cells’ release of glucagon, a hormone that raises plasma glucose.
The researchers, headed by senior author Ralph DeFronzo, M.D., professor of medicine and chief of the diabetes division at the Health Science Center, conducted a cross-over, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of 16 diabetic patients at the General Clinical Research Center in the South Texas Veterans Health Care System’s Audie Murphy Division.
The research team measured blood levels of insulin and glucagon, and glucose turnover (glucose circulation in the body) using a double-tracer meal tolerance test. “When compared to placebo, vildagliptin decreased the patients’ glucose level after supper, and the effect extended throughout the night, as evidenced by lower fasting plasma glucose readings in the morning,” said co-author Bogdan Balas, M.D., a research fellow working with Dr. DeFronzo in the division of diabetes.
Abnormally high glucose for extended periods of time results in the damaging effects of diabetes, including circulatory problems in the eyes, kidneys and feet and serious cardiovascular complications.
“This is an exciting finding,” Dr. Balas said. “This study proved that vildagliptin works by restoring the normal functioning of the pancreas, which is the central organ affected in type 2 diabetes. Vildagliptin did not affect the rate of appearance of orally ingested glucose, but there was an enhanced suppression of the endogenous glucose production (due to the increased insulin/decreased glucagon ratio) and that explained the decrease in plasma glucose.”
Endogenous substances, such as hormones, are those that are produced or synthesized within the body.
Vildagliptin, made by Novartis, still has to undergo approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in order to be available to people suffering from diabetes. San Antonio was the lone site for this study.
Contact:
Will SansomPhone: (210) 567-2579
E-mail:
Sansom@uthscsa.edu
