Long-Term GABA Administration Induces Alpha Cell-Mediated Beta-like Cell Neogenesis.

Long-Term GABA Administration Induces Alpha Cell-Mediated Beta-like Cell Neogenesis.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27916274

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Cell. 2017 Jan 12;168(1-2):73-85.e11. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2016.11.002. Epub 2016 Dec 1.
Long-Term GABA Administration Induces Alpha Cell-Mediated Beta-like Cell Neogenesis.
Ben-Othman N1, Vieira A1, Courtney M1, Record F1, Gjernes E1, Avolio F1, Hadzic B1, Druelle N1, Napolitano T1, Navarro-Sanz S1, Silvano S1, Al-Hasani K1, Pfeifer A1, Lacas-Gervais S2, Leuckx G3, Marroquí L4, Thévenet J5, Madsen OD6, Eizirik DL4, Heimberg H3, Kerr-Conte J5, Pattou F5, Mansouri A7, Collombat P8.
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Abstract

The recent discovery that genetically modified α cells can regenerate and convert into β-like cells in vivo holds great promise for diabetes research. However, to eventually translate these findings to human, it is crucial to discover compounds with similar activities. Herein, we report the identification of GABA as an inducer of α-to-β-like cell conversion in vivo. This conversion induces α cell replacement mechanisms through the mobilization of duct-lining precursor cells that adopt an α cell identity prior to being converted into β-like cells, solely upon sustained GABA exposure. Importantly, these neo-generated β-like cells are functional and can repeatedly reverse chemically induced diabetes in vivo. Similarly, the treatment of transplanted human islets with GABA results in a loss of α cells and a concomitant increase in β-like cell counts, suggestive of α-to-β-like cell conversion processes also in humans. This newly discovered GABA-induced α cell-mediated β-like cell neogenesis could therefore represent an unprecedented hope toward improved therapies for diabetes.

Interesting! I've always had a major overreaction to drugs that effect GABA so I doubt I'd enjoy this very much.

If the original study was in mice though I don't hold out much hope. I once opined that farting in their general direction would "cure" diabetic mice, just about everything else does. Not much of it has translated to humans though.

Some GABA agonist lower blood glucose. There are GABA receptors in human pancreas that stimulate insulin. It seem they studied in human pancreas. The problem is "long term"??? and if it will work in people that aren't not young.

Most cure in rats and mice are due on how they cause diabetes. Mainly by oxidants either chemical or a diet induced. So most antioxidants or substances that alter their oxidant status will benefit the rat and lower blood glucose. Also the life of rats compare to humans is very brief so a treatment of a few weeks in rats, will mean many years of human treatment. So they don’t translate well. The models aren't comparable.

Trouble with this kind of therapy it could produce unwanted cell growth eg.adenoma or cancer! D.

There are also I believe alpha cells elsewhere in the gut, wonder what happens to them.

Something promising to look at though.