EDITORIAL

A New Era in Diabetes Treatment: Innovations Towards Remission

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By Abdul Hameed1, Talat Mirza1

AFFLIATIONS

1. Molecular Medicine Department, Ziauddin University, Karachi, Pakistan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36283/PJMD13-1/002

How to cite: Hameed A, Mirza T. A New Era in Diabetes Treatment: Innovations Towards Remission. Pak J Med Dent. 2024;13(1): 3-4. Doi: 10.36283/PJMD13-1/002

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects millions of people globally. Medication, diet, and exercise can help manage the disease; however, recent breakthroughs in diabetes remission research bring hope for those living with the disease, paving the way for a new era in diabetes care with the potential for remission.

Exciting developments in diabetes research include using stem cells to replace damaged β-cells in the pancreas and stem cell transplantation and gene therapy, which have shown promise as potential cures for diabetes. Stem cells are also being studied for their potential to regenerate insulin-producing cells, leading to improved blood sugar control. Although in the early stages, these strategies have the potential to revolutionize diabetes treatment and offer a future free from the burdens of this debilitating disease.

Exosomes offer a promising avenue for the development of cell-free therapies for diabetes. These small vesicles, containing diverse molecules, have demonstrated therapeutic potential in diabetes. Exosomes can modulate the immune system, promote cell regeneration, improve insulin sensitivity, and enhance the survival and function of pancreatic β-cells. While research on exosome-based therapies for diabetes is still in its early stages, it offers a potential alternative to traditional cell-based therapies, overcoming issues such as immune rejection and ethical concerns. Further investigation and development of exosome-based therapies may lead to new treatment options towards remission for individuals living with diabetes.

The development of artificial pancreas systems and continuous glucose monitoring technology offers promising approaches to managing diabetes. These technologies have the potential to significantly improve the lives of people with diabetes by reducing the need for constant monitoring and injections, providing real-time blood sugar readings, and automating insulin delivery. These technologies represent a paradigm shift in diabetes remission, potentially transforming diabetes management and enabling people with diabetes to lead more and long normal lives.

One another fascinating area of research is the use of bariatric surgery for diabetes remission. Bariatric surgery is a weight loss surgery shown to have significant benefits for people with type 2 diabetes. Studies have found that bariatric surgery can lead to remission of diabetes in up to 80% of patients, with some remaining diabetes-free for up to 10 years. Bariatric surgery is a powerful tool for diabetes management.

Natural compounds, due to traditional history and broad pharmacological effects such as berberine, curcumin, quercetin, resveratrol, and ginsenosides have been found to have antidiabetic effects, including improving insulin sensitivity and secretion. Several clinical trials are currently underway to investigate the potential benefits of these drugs for diabetes treatment, and the results look promising. The most important aspect of these natural entities is their role in the proliferation and regeneration of pancreatic β-cells, and this reprogramming led to the hope for the remission of diabetes in the future.

Asian type 2 diabetic subjects are reported to have more β-cell impairment than insulin resistance, so increasing the regeneration potential of the β-cell may step forward to solve the issue of diabetes with our patients. In this regard, groundbreaking research is going on to improve the regeneration of β-cells from α-cells. New revolutionary research has been done in the diabetic model for converting gut epithelial cells and brain cells into insulin-producing cells, restoring the glucose balance in diabetics, and opening a new era to proceed toward the remission of diabetes.

Translating from Diagnosis to Remission, the DiRECT clinical trials revolutionized diabetes remission. This study conducted in the UK demonstrated that a low-calorie diet can effectively achieve remission of type 2 diabetes in a significant proportion of patients. The study showed that 46% of the participants in the low-calorie diet group achieved remission, compared to only 4% of those in the standard care group. The trial’s success has renewed interest in using low-calorie diets to achieve diabetes remission. The success of the DiRECT trial offers hope for people with type 2 diabetes that remission is achievable, emphasizing the significance of lifestyle changes in managing the condition.

The future of diabetes care is looking brighter than ever before! The latest breakthroughs in diabetes research pave the way for a world where diabetes is no longer a lifelong struggle but a manageable condition. From stem cell therapies to artificial pancreas systems, continuous glucose monitoring technology to exosome-based therapies, bariatric surgery to natural compounds, and low-calorie diets, there are now more exciting options than ever before for managing and potentially achieving remission of diabetes. These developments have the potential to revolutionize diabetes care, offering a future free from the burdens of this debilitating disease. With ongoing research and development, there is hope for a world where diabetes is no longer a barrier to living life to the fullest. Get ready to say goodbye to the struggles of diabetes and hello to a brighter, healthier future!

REFERENCES

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  2. Exosomes as Promising Nanostructures in Diabetes Mellitus: From Insulin Sensitivity to Ameliorating Diabetic Complications. International journal of nanomedicine. 2022; 17, 1229-1253. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S350250.
  3. An overview of advancements in closed-loop artificial pancreas system. Heliyon. 2022; 8(11), e11648. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11648.
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