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Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug Drops A1c
A drug initially designed to treat the autoimmune disease of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis has been found helpful in treating type 2 diabetes. The drug is an “interleukin-1-receptor antagonist” that goes by the name of anakinra (Kineret).
Interleukins are a type of cytokine, special messenger proteins that communicate between cells. The message sent by interleukin-1 (IL-1) triggers action by disease-fighting cells that, in diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, are misguided and cause inflammation. Anakinra is “antagonistic” to the IL-1 receptor; that is, it keeps IL-1 from binding to its receptor on the cell at the receiving end of the message. If IL-1 can’t bind, the message doesn’t get through. Anakinra binds to the same receptor on the cell as IL-1 ordinarily would. By hogging the spot and keeping IL-1 from sending its signal to that cell, it stops IL-1 from triggering inflammation.
High glucose concentrations increase the production of a certain interleukin, IL-1 beta. IL-1 beta causes impaired insulin secretion, decreased beta cell growth, and beta cell death. Furthermore, natural IL-1 receptor antagonist is reduced in the islets of people with type 2 diabetes. The upshot is that you’ve got too much IL-beta and too little IL-1 receptor antagonist, resulting in inflammation and beta cell destruction.
In the Swiss study, a thirteen-week treatment of daily injections of anakinra increased insulin production and led to a 0.33% drop in A1c’s in 34 people with type 2 diabetes. The A1c’s of the control group increased 0.13%. The researchers theorize that the drop was due to enhanced beta cell secretory function. Oddly enough, the drug was more effective in thinner people.
Forbes.com
The New England Journal of Medicine
Categories: A1c Test, Diabetes, Diabetes, Insulin, Medications, Type 2 Issues, Type 2 Medications
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May 16, 2007
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Diabetes Health
Diabetes Health is the essential resource for people living with diabetes- both newly diagnosed and experienced as well as the professionals who care for them. We provide balanced expert news and information on living healthfully with diabetes. Each issue includes cutting-edge editorial coverage of new products, research, treatment options, and meaningful lifestyle issues.
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Topics
- Diabetic / Diabetes Health
- Type 1 / 1.5 Diabetes
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Blood Glucose / Sugar
- High/Low Blood Sugar / Fast Acting Glucose
- Insulin- Pumps, Pens & Syringes
- Continuous Glucose Monitors, CGM, Infusion Sets
- Type 2 Medications
- Hyperglycemia
- Hypoglycemia
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