Scientists have discovered a potent synthetic compound that may prevent Type 1 diabetes.
In laboratory studies involving animals, researchers from the Scripps Research Institute found the experimental compound — known as SR1001 — blocks the development of an immune-system cells associated with the disease.
"The animals in our study never developed high blood sugar indicative of diabetes, and beta cell damage was significantly reduced compared to animals that hadn't been treated with our compound," said Laura Solt, a biologist who led the study.
Type 1 diabetes results from the autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Standard treatment for the disease aims to replace lost insulin, but the new study suggests SR101 prevents the initial devastation caused by the immune system — effectively halting the disease before it even gets started.
The study, published in the journal Endocrinology, paves the way for drug studies based on the compound involving human patients, researchers said.
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