A vitamin pill that prevents or even reverses diabetes could soon be in the pipeline, according to scientists in the US.
Research on a natural cell chemical compound called nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), carried out by experts from Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, found that it plays a vital role in the way cells use energy.
The scientists were able to normalise blood sugar levels in diabetic mice by injecting them with the chemical. They also noted that the jabs lowered levels of cholesterol and triglyceride blood fats.
All the mice experienced lower levels of NAD, a molecule that harvests energy from nutrients and turns it into a form cells can use. In both mice and humans, NAD derives from NMN produced by cells through a chain of biological reactions.
By injecting the mice with NMN, they researchers were able to raise levels of NAD which led to a dramatic improvement in their response to glucose .
The researchers are now working on a way of administering NMN to laboratory mice in drinking water, and hope to develop a "nutriceutical" pill that can be taken in the same way as a vitamin to treat type 2 diabetes.
Study leader Dr Shin-ichiro Imai said: "Once we can get a grade of NMN that humans can take, we would really like to launch a pilot human study."
New Research Could Pave Way For Future Diabetes Pill
Thu, 06 Oct 2011
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