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An "innovative" trial of a type 1 diabetes drug that could help reduce the life-threatening complications of the disease began in Cardiff, UK.
The first two patients in the world have received an experimental drug capable of repelling essential hormone producing cells, researchers said. If successful, the drug can reduce patient confidence in daily injections.
More than 30 million people in the United States have diabetes, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and about 5% of them have a type 1. People develop the disease after that the immune system has destroyed insulin-producing "beta" cells. Insulin is an essential hormone that moves glucose from the blood to other cells in the body. Patients with type 1 diabetes usually treat the condition by monitoring their blood sugar and injecting insulin several times a day.
"More insulin-producing beta cells are needed for people with this form of diabetes and it is estimated that 90% of patients with type 1 diabetes have less than 5% insulin-dependent cells," he said. Mohammad Alhadj Ali. investigators, said in a statement.
Although important steps have been taken in diabetes care, he added, progress in prevention is lacking.
In everyday life, diabetic patients have to face the dangers of a very high and very low blood sugar. Low blood sugar can cause dizziness, confusion and cold sweats, for example. High blood sugar can cause a life-threatening illness called diabetic ketoacidosis.
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Chronic high blood sugar levels can eventually lead to problems with the eyes, kidneys, heart and feet, among others. These complications can lead to blindness, amputation and even death. At the moment, there is no cure for diabetes.
Researchers at the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board 's Clinical Research Center hope that the new drug will have a significant impact on the lives of patients with type 1 diabetes. Three days after administration, no patient will be able to. presented with major side effects. But research is at a very early stage and investigators will have to wait a long time before having a complete idea of the safety and effectiveness of the drug.
The team now wants to recruit another eight participants with diabetes for at least two years.
Carys Thomas, acting director of Health and Care Research in Wales, called the trial "revolutionary" and said the drug could make a "big difference in people's lives."
In other news about diabetes, researchers believe that a TB vaccine could be a major breakthrough in the treatment of type 1 diabetes. However, critics warn that Vaccine study is "far too small" to be considered a possible treatment for the disease.
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