Monday, January 14, 2008

A Possible Mechanism for C-Peptide

There is a new study published in today's issue of Chemical & Engineering News that gives a possible mechanism for activation of the C-peptide. The authors suggest that a metal ion may change the conformation of C-peptide, which may, in turn, allow glucose to enter red blood cells through a glucose transporter (GLUT1). While type 2 diabetics may have normal to elevated levels of C-peptide (which has led some to believe that it may contribute to complications), other studies have shown beneficial effects of the peptide (as described by this study). People with type 1 diabetes generally produce little to no C-peptide. I originally saw this story on Science Daily News.

2 comments:

BetterCell said...

Thanks Anne for making this information regarding the possible benefits of C-peptide in Complications related to T1DM available.
I have always felt that C-peptide did have a positive role based on studies that I have read going back to the 1970's.
It should be made available the same way Symlin now is in a separate vial to be used for the prevention and treatment of T1DM related Complications which as we all know(or should know) has nothing to do with Blood Sugar Numbers but more with being a part of the Disease process(Diabetes). The only thing I will say about elevated Blood Glucose, is that it will exacebate and quicken the pace of Complications.

Scott S said...

This is an area of considerable interest for some people. But the real news in this story is that Creative Peptides AB, the Swedish company who owns numerous patents on recombinant manufacture of C-peptide, may be able to improve the effectiveness of this as a treatment therapeutic. Now, all we need is for them to finish enrollment in their Phase III clinical trials ....