Cellular Protein Yields Clues to Diabetes, Alzheimer's

Animal tests suggest humanin could have therapeutic benefits

Related Encyclopedia • Addison's Disease • Alzheimer's Disease • Carcinoid Syndrome • Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia More... Related Healthscout Videos Icy Treatments Revive the Dead No Pain Heart Health Taking Steps After a Stroke Custom Ankle Replacements More... Related Animations • Alzheimer's Disease Video Animation • Diabetes • Erectile Dysfunction • What is a Heart Attack? More... Related Drug Information • Actonel • Actos • Amaryl • Avandamet More... Related News Articles • Years of Exposure to Traffic Pollution Raises Blood Pressure • Identifying Older Drivers at Risk of Crashes • Alcohol Influences How Memorable Trauma Might Be • Increasing Soda Consumption Fuels Rise in Diabetes, Heart Disease More...

WEDNESDAY, July 22 (HealthDay News) -- New information about a cellular protein might help in efforts to develop drug treatments for diabetes and Alzheimer's disease, researchers say.

In tests on rats, they found that humanin, which may prevent nerve cells from dying, also helps improve insulin action and lower blood glucose levels.

Text Continues Below

---

"This new role of humanin in glucose metabolism, in addition to its role in Alzheimer's disease, is very intriguing since scientists have long proposed a link between type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease," Dr. Nir Barzilai, a professor and director of the Institute for Aging Research at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, said in a news release from the college.

"Humanin could turn out to be a therapeutic option for two common debilitating diseases that affect millions of people, Barzilai said. "Additionally, humanin may help treat other age-related diseases."

The study appears online July 22 in PLoS One.

More information

The U.S. National Institute on Aging has more about Alzheimer's disease.

-- Robert Preidt