Type 1 diabetes is a major risk factor associated with childhood obesity. Recent research done (October 2010) on experimental mice has found that adding Leptin hormone to insulin can lead to better management of blood sugar and conversion of glucose into fatty acids. Further research is planned on this topic at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
Hormones are signalling molecules which initiate or end chemical processes in our body. Leptin is one such signalling molecule associated with fat cells and regulation of body weight. As insulin is the only known effective treatment option for type 1 diabetes, searching for its alternative is the need of the hour. The present research is going to serve this purpose. This article takes you one step closer to its understanding.
What the Research on Leptin Hormone Would Involve?
- The trial to be carried out will be the first of its kind to test this hormone as a therapy for type 1 diabetes.
- Metreleptin is a slightly modified form of this naturally produced hormone which will be tested in the trial because of its better performance in previous clinical studies.
- Though the trial of this hormone on animals has been successful, the researchers are keeping their fingers crossed while extending it to humans.
- The purpose of the study is to discover a means which would stabilize the sugar levels, reduce the insulin dosage and tackle the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels).
- The participants should between 18-50 years, diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and have body mass index (BMI) less than 25.
- 12-15 participants would be part of the study who will be directed to include Leptin along with their regular intake of insulin hormone twice a day, for five months.
- In the initial stages of the trial, the safety and tolerability of diabetes patients to this hormone will be tested.
- A benefit of joining this study for the participants is that they would lose weight as Leptin hormone decreases appetite along with the reduction of cholesterol in the blood.
- Any success in this effort would ensure better ways of stabilizing blood glucose levels and improvement of type 1 diabetes patients’ quality of life.
