Kolkata: In what could be a breakthrough in the treatment of diabetes, scientists here have zeroed in on a new source of insulin in fish that mimics human insulin more closely than any known animal source -- porcine or bovine -- currently in use.

Biologists at the Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB) struck upon the 'biologically active' insulin in fat cells of catla fish as a natural alternative to human pancreatic beta cell insulin.

"This new insulin is highly active and has shown greater biological activity than porcine insulin in rat models," IICB Director and leader of the study group Dr Samir Bhattacharya said.

In their search for an alternative source of natural insulin, the eight-member team with researchers from IICB, Visva Bharati University's Zoology department and Japan's Gunma University, found that adipocytes (fat cells) from a carp can express the insulin gene and secrete immunoreactive insulin, which they have christened 'AdpInsl'.

"We found high amount of immunoreactive insulin in carp plasma even though there were no islet tissues, considered a pre-requisite for secretion of insulin," Bhattacharya said.

Experimenting on rats and hamsters made diabetic with a hyperglycemic agent, the team found that injecting the carp adipocyte extract significantly reduced their blood glucose levels.

Source: Manorama Online.

July News Article Index

Home - About Diabetes - Complications - Warning Signs - Screening Test - Donate Now - Special Events - Latest News - Health & Fitness - Online Press Center - E-Lerts Index - Meet Mr. Diabetes® - Wake Up And Walk® Tour - About Us - Diabetes Terms - Site Search - Headlines & News Stories - Research Form -  Message Board - Privacy Policy - Legal Notices - How to Contact Us - Comments form - Suggestion Form - Our E-Mail Addresses - Our Address and Phone Numbers - Links - Contact Us