Diabetes Research Update (broadcast Friday, January 9th, 2009)

Structure of resveratrol, a compound found in grapes and red wine.

In this segment, we'll get the latest on efforts to control Type 2 diabetes, the form in which the body gradually loses the ability to use insulin to control sugar levels in the blood. Two papers published recently in the journal Cell Metabolism present different approaches to controlling glucose levels in people with the condition. In one, a hormone called apelin, which is produced in fat tissues, was injected intravenously into normal and obese mice, and was found to significantly reduce blood sugar levels. In another study, researchers used an experimental drug manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline that mimics the behavior of resveratrol, a compound found in red wine and grapes. The artificial resveratrol decreased blood sugar levels and restored insulin levels to normal in diabetic mice. We'll talk about the two approaches, and other work on treating diabetes. Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.

Guests

C. Ronald Kahn
Mary K. Iacocca Professor of Medicine
Harvard Medical School
Vice Chairman of the Board and Section Head
Joslin Diabetes Center
Boston, Massachusetts