An amino acid produced by pancreas was shown to prevent and even reverse Type 1 diabetes in mice injected with human pancreatic cells, a new study shows. Type 1 diabetes is a disease that cause the immune system to destroy insulin-producing cells, called Beta cells. Researchers had already shown back in 2011 that the amino acid GABA, or gamma-aminobutryic acid, could prevent Type 1 diabetes in mice by improving the survival rate of these pancreatic cells. This novel treatment could improve success rate of pancreas transplant in patients.
The original research paper, published in Diabetes on November 30, 2014, is available upon request.
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