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Insulin in plants relieves diabetes in mice (2) |
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13:21, August 03, 2007 |
Capsules of insulin produced in genetically modified lettuce could hold the key to restoring the body''s ability to produce insulin and help millions of Americans who suffer from insulin-dependent diabetes, said the study.
Insulin-dependent, or Type 1, diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body''s immune system attacks and destroys insulin and insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy.
Insulin typically is given through shots and not pills so the hormone can go straight into the bloodstream. In Daniell''s method, plant cell walls made of cellulose initially prevent insulin from degrading. When the plant cells containing insulin reach the intestine, bacteria living there begin to slowly break down the cell walls and gradually release insulin into the bloodstream.
Though produced in lettuce, the insulin would be delivered to human patients as a powder in capsules because the dosage would need to be controlled carefully.
The National Institutes of Health provided 2 million U.S. dollars to fund the study. The findings are reported in the latest issue of Plant Biotechnology Journal.
[1] [2] [3]
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