study shows that to some extent, type 2 diabetes can be cured. Despite this early success, more rigorous testing will be needed before a human trial of this treatment can take place, however its prospects of success in humans are good. 13 The symptoms of diabetes express themselves because blood glucose levels are not kept under control. In the case of type 2 diabetes this is because tissues become insulin resistant, and no longer respond to the normal amounts of insulin produced by the islet cells. As a result blood glucose levels increase, as body tissues are less able to absorb glucose. If we were able to increase the amount of insulin the body produced, counteracting insulin resistance, we may be able to reduce, or potentially wipe out, the symptoms of diabetes. Researchers in the Harvard Stem Cell Institute may have discovered a way to do just that by discovering a human hormone, called betatrophin, which causes the body to produce pancreatic beta cells are 30 times the normal rate. The advantage of these replicated beta cells is that they respond to the bodyÊs natural method for regulating insulin. This reduces the risk of the new cells over producing insulin, which would cause severe hypoglycaemia. Essentially,
these new cells stimulate insulin resistant tissues to absorb glucose by producing greater quantities of insulin. Work has been done with mice and has been seen to completely eradicate diabetes. However, it is not a complete cure. Researchers believe that betatrophin may have to be taken monthly or even weekly if it is to be effective. It is estimated that clinical trials on humans may occur between three and five years from now. 14 In conclusion, diabetes is a costly and harmful disease which is set to become more prevalent in the years to come, despite treatment methods being available. Work has been started on researching a cure even though very little is known about the complex biological processes that cause diabetes to manifest itself. Some of these cures are promising and have seen great success in early stages of testing. Unfortunately each treatment has its own disadvantages that make it unlikely to be the universal cure for diabetes that we need. Taking into consideration the huge developments made in medicine and science over the past few decades, I believe that a cure for diabetes will ultimately be discovered.
14 http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2013/04/potential- diabetes-breakthrough/.
13 http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/250792.php.
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