February 3, 2008

From the New Wire - C-Peptides (and a wee rant)

So maybe I am an idiot but I don't get 'science' sometimes. OK most of the time. The sciences crowd is all about the evolution thing. Natural selection favors stuff that works etc.

How is that science can decide. 'Well what the heck, we don't know what something does and since we can't figure it out evolution is an idiot."

Ok that a wee bit sarcastic but you didn't get here Google-ing WebMD. I am not a doctor, I don't play one on TV but my point is the idea that "C-peptide, which, until about a decade ago, was dismissed by scientists as a relatively useless byproduct" didn't make the natural selection cut for nothing right?

Anyway I guess there are some folks who think differently:
Published February 3, 2008
[ From Lansing State Journal ]

MSU research may aid type 1 diabetes

Professor: Human protein might help poor circulation

Matthew Miller
Lansing State Journal

Researchers at Michigan State University have found that a human protein produced alongside insulin could help treat circulation problems and other complications caused by type 1 diabetes.

That protein is called C-peptide, which, until about a decade ago, was dismissed by scientists as a relatively useless byproduct of insulin production.

But, according to chemistry Professor Dana Spence, C-peptide could alleviate blood flow problems, prevent strokes and help control blood sugar levels in type 1 diabetic patients.

His conclusions haven't been tested in humans, or in other animals, for that matter, but Spence is optimistic.

"I think it's really going to help with the blood flow," Spence said. "That's one that I'm hopeful for."

In a recent study published in the journal Diabetologia, Spence and his team found that C-peptide helps red blood cells absorb glucose, or blood sugar, which they use to produce ATP, the universal energy molecule found in all cells.

The release of ATP, in turn, stimulates production of another molecule, nitric oxide, which relaxes and widens the blood vessels. More nitric oxide presumably means better circulation.


2 comments :

  1. I noticed that many doctors don't use this test in US.
    I come from Italy where this test is the standard test to define if it is diabetes type 1, 2 or 1 and half.
    YES 1 and half of LADA.
    Here when I mentioned LADA to my doc he did not say a word.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for acknowledging this research. I can't believe more people aren't outraged by this. The CWD forum just ignores it. As a parent this lack of attention by pharmacuticals really saddens me but doesn't surprise me. Hopefully we can see them embrace c-peptide soon.

    ReplyDelete