Researchers say that a drug used to fight infection in cancer patients can also protect mice from type I diabetes.

In type I diabetes, the immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas which normally produce insulin. Those affected are usually dependent on daily injections of insulin to control their blood sugar.

Now researchers at the University of Virginia have found that a drug known as lisofylline can protect mice from type I diabetes. Lisofylline is generally used to treat infection occurring in cancer patients. In this study, type I diabetes was induced in mice by a certain drug. Those receiving two weeks treatment with lisofylline were 25 per cent less likely to develop the condition than control animals.

The researchers say that lisophylline damps down cytokines, molecules from the immune system which otherwise destroy insulin-producing cells in the pancreas in type I diabetes. Further research should show whether this approach is applicable to people with diabetes.

Source

Pancreas on-line edition 30th April 2003