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Scientists Solve Critical Part of Insulin Puzzle
Researchers from the Australian Garvan Institute of Medical Research have isolated the PKCepsilon (PKCe) enzyme that is present during diabetes and impedes the availability of insulin. The revolutionary findings present a possible explanation as to the reason why insulin production fails in individuals who develop type 2 diabetes.
Associate Prof. Trevor Biden and Dr. Carsten Schmitz-Peiffer, who led the study, note that the findings could significantly contribute to development of a drug that would inhibit PKCe and allow the pancreas to produce enough insulin for people with type 2 diabetes. The research, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, notes the effect of PKCe to restore the pancreatic ability to produce insulin was an unexpected finding. Biden says that while existing therapies spur the body to produce more insulin, there is no existing drug that acts as a PKCe inhibitor to restore an individual's normal function.
Schmitz-Peiffer says that further research could safeguard individuals who are at high-risk for developing type 2 diabetes, adding, \"Blocking PKCe won't stop them from becoming insulin-resistant, but it will restore their capacity to compensate.\" |
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