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LIFE EXTENSION UPDATE DECEMBER 8 2000
IN THIS ISSUE, DECEMBER 8 2000: LIFE EXTENSION UPDATE EXCLUSIVE: K Cells
engineered to release insulin in response to glucose; WHAT'S HOT: New
treatment for diabetic macular edema; Type 1 diabetics benefit from
vitamin E; PROTOCOL: Diabetes; FEATURED PRODUCTS OF THE WEEK: Super Alpha
Lipoic Acid, Methylcobalamin; DECEMBER ISSUE LIFE EXTENSION MAGAZINE NOW
ONLINE: "The Diabetes Epidemic" by Angela Pirisi; SUPER SALE ON UNTIL
JANUARY 31!
LIFE EXTENSION UPDATE EXCLUSIVE
K Cells engineered to release insulin in response to glucose
Diabetes is caused by an inability of the pancreas to produce insulin
(type 1) or an inability to properly utilize insulin (type 2). Type 1
diabetes requires the use of insulin, and many type 2 diabetics need
insulin injections as well. Because it is difficult for patients who need
insulin injections to attain ideal glucose levels they remain at risk for
such serious conditions cardiovascular disease, blindness and kidney
disease. Recent research has explored the possibility of genetic
engineering of cells to release insulin, but the insulin release is not
glucose dependent as is that of a healthy pancreas, the timing of insulin
release being of vital importance for the best glucose regulation. In an
article published in the December 8 issue of Science, researchers
engineered K cells in the digestive tracts of mice to release insulin in
response to glucose. K cells are located in the stomach, duodenum and
jejunum. They secrete a hormone, GIP, which potentiates insulin release
after eating. Because these cells are sensitive to glucose, they were
chosen for the experiment in which mouse embryos were engineered so that
their K cells expressed human insulin. The transgenic mice and their
controls were then given a toxin to destroy the insulin-producing cells of
the pancreas. Control animals developed fasting high blood glucose and
glucose in their urine, both signs of diabetes, whereas the genetically
engineered mice did not show either of these signs and continued to gain
weight normally. When challenged with an oral glucose load, the control
mice experienced high levels of blood glucose, while the transgenic mice
had normal glucose levels and were able to rapidly metabolize the glucose
in the same manner as control mice who had functioning pancreases. The
researchers concluded that insulin production from K cells in the gut may
correct diabetes and that the identification of a cell target for insulin
production in the body is an important step toward gene therapy for
diabetes.
WHAT'S HOT
New treatment for diabetic macular edema
Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness between the ages of twenty and
seventy-four. Diabetic macular edema, or DME occurs when the retinal
blood vessels of diabetic patients deteriorate, causing leakage. Of the
nations 10.3 million diabetics, half a million have DME. Forty percent of
all diabetics develop DME with 75,000 new cases diagnosed each year.
University of Kentucky College of Medicine Department of Opthalmology has
helped develop a new treatment for DME that involves a simple surgical
procedure which implants a device that provides sustained release of the
drug fluocinolone acetonide into the back of the eye. Fluocinolone
acetonide is an anti-inflammatory steroid that inhibits the growth of
damaged blood vessels while it controls inflammation. The implant
delivers consistent levels of the drug for up to three years. This limits
whole-body exposure to the medication, reduces the necessary dose and the
the need for frequent drug treatments.
Principle investigator P. Andrew Pearson, M.D., assistant professor,
Department of Ophthalmology, UK College of Medicine commented, "This
technology may offer the opportunity to treat DME with a drug instead of
an invasive procedure. This may offer an effective method to improve the
sight of patients afflicted with this terrible disease."
Five patients in a clinical study lead by Pearson received the implant in
one eye while the other eye was left untreated. All patients experienced
resolution of their macular edema in the eye that was treated and had
improved visual acuity after nine months. The untreated eyes remained
unchanged. Dr Pearson stated, "The results of this study are encouraging,
especially because these patients had failed standard treatment, making
their cases very difficult to treat."
The technology combined with other drugs is also is being studied to treat
age-related macular degeneration, and uveitis, a severe intraocular
inflammation, and is currently utilized in the treatment of CMV retinitis.
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Type 1 diabetics benefit from vitamin E
A randomized double-blind study reported in November's American Journal of
Clinical Nutrition demonstrated that type 1 diabetics taking vitamin E had
much less peroxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low
density lipoprotein (VLDL). The findings are meaningful in light of the
increased cardiovascular disease experienced by diabetics, caused in part
by oxidation of LDL cholesterol. Although diabetics do not have lower
blood levels of vitamin E than normal individuals, it is believed that
vitamin E will benefit this group through its antioxidant ability.
Forty four patients were divided into two groups, one receiving 250 iu
vitamin E three times per day for one year, and the second group receiving
a placebo for six months followed by 250 iu vitamin E three times per day
for six months. Patients serum vitamin E levels, LDL and VLDL oxidation,
and other values such as serum lipids, were monitored at the begininng at
the study and every three months for one year. In the group receiving
vitamin E, vitamin E levels rose after three months, but did not
thereafter, showing that the transport capacity of vitamin E in serum was
saturated by three months of supplementation. Similar results were seen in
the second group after beginning their vitamin E supplementation. After
the conclusion of the study, vitamin E levels returned to their initial
values.
In both groups, the oxidation of LDL and VLDL cholesterol was
significantly decreased after three months of vitamin E supplementation.
In contrast, the second group did not experience this decrease during the
period in which they received the placebo. The study's authors emphasize
that vitamin E's antiperoxidative effect in this study was not due to
correction of a deficiency, as its effect was not related to initial serum
concentrations, nor was it related to a change in lipid levels.
The authors recommend that type 1 diabetics consider life-long
supplementation with vitamin E.
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PROTOCOL
Diabetes
Diabetes has two primary forms, as well as some minor, transient ones.
Type I diabetes was once called juvenile diabetes because it commonly
occurs in younger patients. It is considered an autoimmune disease and
results when the immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells of
the pancreas, destroying them. The result is a pancreas that produces
little or no insulin. The exact cause of the attack on the beta cells is
not known, but both genetic and viral factors are believed to be involved.
A person with Type I diabetes requires exogenous insulin (insulin from an
outside source) to sustain life. This insulin must be injected daily, and
often several times a day. Originally, insulin was obtained from pigs and
cows, though today's purified forms are of recombinant DNA origin. Type I
patients constitute only about 10% of all diabetics, but they often find
the condition to be devastating in its impact, in both short-and long-term
damage. There are currently several experiments in progress involving the
prevention of Type I diabetes in those who have genetic predisposition to
the disorder with beta cell antibodies present. The National Coordinating
Center (800) 425-8361 has a list of screening sites around the country, in
case you, or people you know, have an interest in participating.
Type II is the most common form of diabetes, affecting approximately 15
million people in this country alone. There may be an equal number of
as-yet-undiagnosed Type II diabetics, because of the often subtle early
signs of the disorder. It has been called adult onset diabetes because it
commonly occurs after age 40, most often in the middle 50's and later. In
the great majority of cases, the Type II diabetic is overweight, putting
additional demands on an aging organ system.
Type II patients usually produce insulin, but for some reason (either
insufficient production or insulin resistance by the cells) their bodies
are unable to process glucose efficiently. The resulting condition is
similar to that of Type I: an excess of glucose in the blood and the lack
of fuel for the cells. Type II may have varying effects in different
people. The extreme levels of high blood sugar found in Type I are not as
prevalent in Type II patients, and the short-term dangers are not as
acute. However, unchecked or poorly controlled Type II will produce
long-term damage similar to that found in Type I. Many Type II diabetics
eventually take insulin because their disorder cannot be controlled
without it.
Gestational Diabetes: Severe environmental and situational stressors, such
as pregnancy, may produce high levels of blood sugar. This is similar to
the effects of stress on other organ systems.
Oxidative damage plays critical roles in the complications of diabetes,
including being part of the glycosylation process. Here are the most
important antioxidants used to combat this oxidative stress:
Alpha-lipoic acid (aLA), also known as thioctic acid. Alpha-lipoic acid
has also been shown to be useful in the maintenance of neural health
(Garrett, 1997). It is suggested that vitamin B12 in the form of
methyl-cobalamin be taken concurrently since aLA may cause B12 depletion.
Proanthocyanidins (grape seed/skin extract. These may be the most
concentrated natural antioxidants available. They also inhibit a dangerous
enzyme known as COX-2 that interferes with the body's levels of a
beneficial substance called prostacyclin.
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FEATURED PRODUCTS OF THE WEEK
Super Alpha Lipoic Acid
Alpha Lipoic Acid is known by a variety of names including thioctic acid,
1,2-dithiolane-3-pentanoic acid, 1,2-dithiolane-3-valeric acid, and
6,8-thioctic acid. Alpha lipoic acid functions as a co-factor for energy
production as lipomide and is also called lipoate when functioning in this
manner.
Alpha lipoic acid not only has potent antioxidant action in virtually all
the tissues of the body, but also is a cofactor for some of the key
enzymes (alpha keto acid dehydrogenases) involved in generating energy
from food and oxygen in mitochondria.
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Methylcobalamin
Methylcobalamin is the neurologically active form of vitamin B12. The
liver does not convert cyanocobalamin, the commonly available form of
vitamin B12, into adequate amounts of methylcobalamin, which the body uses
to treat or correct neurological defects. Animal studies have shown that
high doses of methylcobalalmin are effective in neuron regeneration and
that there is no known toxicity at these doses.
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DECEMBER LIFE EXTENSION MAGAZINE NOW ONLINE
"The Diabetes Epidemic" by Angela Pirisi
According to new research published by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), the burden of diabetes has been growing at a disturbing
rate over the past decade.(1) The recent data shows that diabetes rose by
33% between 1990 and 1998 among the US population nationally. The disease
incidence rose by 70% among people in their 30s over the same period, by
40% among 40-49 year olds, and by 31% among those age 50-59, and about 13%
of those 60-plus had the disease. Add to these figures the fact that about
800,000 new cases crop up each year, and it's fair to say that diabetes is
spiraling out of control.
The recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention figures paint a
picture that gives Americans cause for despair. At the same time, the new
data gives those with a family history of diabetes, a poor diet, and/or a
sedentary lifestyle a strong wake-up call that's as subtle as a blow to
the head. The most disconcerting part of the latest information is that
diabetes is no longer a disease reserved for an aging population that
inherently suffers a slowing down of metabolism and lower glucose
tolerance. Diabetes' victims are getting younger, lending much more time
for the disease to ripen to the point of presenting complications by the
time middle age rolls around.
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SUPER SALE ON UNTIL JANUARY 31
Don't miss out on this once a year opportunity to receive life extension
products at a 10% discount. To order products online, go to
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If you have any questions about this issue or past issues of Life
Extension Update, or on any other life extension topics, email
ddye@lifeextension.com
For longer life,
Dayna Dye
Editor, Life Extension Update
ddye@lifeextension.com
Life Extension Foundation
www.lef.org
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