UI researchers receive patent for new diabetes treatment

Calvin Carter, a researcher at the University of Iowa (UI), has made significant strides in the field of diabetes research, potentially leading to new treatments for Type 2 diabetes. Carter's discoveries came about unexpectedly while he was working in the lab of UI professor and geneticist Val Sheffield. The two researchers were primarily focused on studying inherited eye diseases associated with blindness.

The specific eye disease they were investigating is called retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a group of rare, genetic disorders that involve a progressive degeneration of the retina and result in severe vision loss. The researchers were examining a protein called rhodopsin, which is crucial for vision in low light conditions, to better understand its role in RP.

During their research, they discovered that a mutation in rhodopsin was linked to a form of RP. However, they also found that this mutation had an intriguing effect on insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. The mutation appeared to protect these cells from damage, leading to an increase in insulin production.

This unexpected finding piqued their interest, as it could potentially have implications for treating Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels due to insulin resistance or insufficient insulin production. The discovery of a protein linked to both eye diseases and insulin production was a significant breakthrough.

Carter and Sheffield continued their research, exploring the potential therapeutic applications of their findings. They discovered that a compound called fenretinide, which is used to treat certain types of eye diseases, could stimulate insulin production in beta cells when used in combination with another compound called thiazolidinedione. This combination led to improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in animal models of diabetes.

Their research has now resulted in a patent application filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a method of treating or preventing Type 2 diabetes using fenretinide and thiazolidinedione. The potential treatment could offer a new approach to managing diabetes, as it focuses on stimulating insulin production rather than just managing symptoms with insulin injections or oral medications.

The team's work is still in the early stages, and further research is needed to determine the safety and efficacy of this potential treatment in humans. However, their findings represent an exciting development in the field of diabetes research and could lead to new therapies for managing this chronic condition.

In summary, UI researchers Calvin Carter and Val Sheffield made a serendipitous discovery while studying inherited eye diseases that could have significant implications for treating Type 2 diabetes. Their research has led to a patent application for a method of treating or preventing diabetes using fenretinide and thiazolidinedione. Further studies are required to determine the safety and efficacy of this potential therapy in humans.