Drug Database for New Diabetes Treatment

By Brooke Strickland
Writer for FEP International

Diabetes is a serious disease that is affecting more and more people each day. Many people don’t know they have it, so being on the look out for some of the common signs of the disease, is important. There are several different types of diabetes, but a recent work published in Nature Chemical Biology showed that scientists at the University of Oxford have created a new drug discover tool – a large database of drugs --- to find treatments for diabetes and other diseases. This tool could begin a new class of drugs to treat a common form of diabetes – type 2. This has been done by using the new method to identify a small molecule (Ned-19) that shows how insulin is secreted in response to increase in blood sugar [1].

Type 2 diabetes symptoms can often develop very slowly. The disease develops when the pancreas stops producing enough insulin or when the body becomes resistant to insulin production.

Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Increased thirst and frequent urination
- Increased hunger
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Slow healing sores and frequent infections
- Areas of darkened skin

While researchers aren’t sure why some people develop type 2 diabetes and others don’t, there are clearly some factors that can increase the risk [2]. These include:

- Weight: the more fatty tissue you have, the more resistant your cells become to insulin
- Inactivity: physical activity helps control your weight, and allows you to use up glucose as energy, ultimately making your cells more sensitive to insulin
- Family history: If a parent or sibling has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, your risk may be greater
- Race: It has been shown that blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans, and those of Asian descent are more likely to develop the disease
- Age: Risk increases as you get older, especially after age 45
- Prediabetes: A condition where your blood sugar level is higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes. If left untreated, this can progress into type 2 diabetes.

If you think you are at risk for developing this disease, see your doctor. An early diagnosis is key to your optimum health and ultimately, your quality of life.

References

1. Scientists mine new drugs database for new diabetes treatment. Science Daily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090222130734.htm
Accessed on the web August 21,2009.

2. Type 2 diabetes. MayoClinic. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/type-2-diabetes/DS00585/DSECTION=risk-factors
Accessed on the web August 21, 2009.