USA Today (4/25, Vergano, 1.71M) reports that, according to research published in Cell, a "hormone called betatrophin triggers the growth of pancreatic 'beta' cells lost or ineffective in diabetes."
Bloomberg News (4/26, Lauerman) reports that the hormone was "first found...in mice, where it increases beta cell growth by as much as 33 times, said Douglas Melton, co-director of the Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology at Harvard." A very similar "hormone in humans appears to serve the same function," according to the researchers.
The AP (4/26, Ritter) reports that the researchers "made the liver in mice secrete more of" the hormone "by inserting extra copies of" a "gene, the size of the beta cell population tripled in comparison to untreated mice." The investigators now intend to "create an injectable form that they can test on diabetic mice...said" Melton.
The NBC News (4/25, Fox) "Vitals" blog reports, "In a best-case scenario, Melton says, researchers will find a way to make the new hormone easily and make it into an injectable form."
The NPR (4/25, Knox) "Shots" blog reports that "human experiments with betatrophin are several years off - perhaps five years, Melton guesses."
Forbes (4/25, 928K) contributor John Farrell writes that while more research will be required "before betatrophin could be used as a treatment in humans, Melton said, some drug companies have already contacted his lab to develop potential therapies." Also covering the story are the Boston Globe (4/25, Johnson, 250K) "Science In Mind" blog and HealthDay (4/26, Preidt).
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