The News:
Scientists at Duke have discovered a new hormone, TLQP-21, that protects beta cells while also increasing the production of insulin when glucose is present.
What This Means for the T1D Community:
Readers of this column know how intrigued I am by the roles of different hormones in the treatment of T1D.
While TLQP-21 doesn’t trip off the tongue as easily as glucagon or the even more lyrical amylin, I won’t let that get in the way of appreciating this new kid on the block.
Dr. Christopher B. Newgard, the senior author of the study
Glucagon may also be easier to understand, given that it essentially acts an insulin antidote allowing blood glucose to rise when it dips too low by releasing glycogen from the liver.
Amylin’s definition may not be as pretty as its name, given its responsibility in “slowing gastric emptying.” Basically, amilyn allows you to digest your food more slowly, which makes for fewer spikes in glucose levels after meals.
What, you ask after being reminded of these important hormones, could this new TLQP-21 possibly do?! Well, this newly discovered hormone actually protects the beta cells from deterioration. It also increased the amount of insulin the beta cells produce when glucose levels rise.
The idea is that a molecule like TLQP-21, which is naturally secreted by the beta cells, could be introduced to protect beta cells and increase insulin if beta cell mass has begun to deteriorate. TLQP-21 is not unlike another hormone that is made in the digestive tract, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). GLP-1 is already used effectively in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, which means good things for TLQP-21.
Although this Breakthrough T1D-funded study was performed on rats with type 2 diabetes, researchers plan to extend the testing to a T1D model.
And although this hormone isn’t maybe as important as insulin, each discovery in this area brings us one step closer to more effective treatment of this disease.
