Diabetic Digest - July 5, 2017

Readers:

I hope you had an enjoyable 4th of July. I'm sure that most of us are still recovering from the festivities so I'll be brief.

Please, check out the story below about scientists saving beta cells from destruction in type 1 diabetes cases.

Plus, a great recipe for Cucumber and Dill Pasta Salad ready to be made and enjoyed at your next summer party.

Regards,
Steve

P.S. Did you miss an issue? You can read every issue from the Gophercentral library of newsletters on our exhaustive archives page. Thousands of issues, all of your favorite publications in chronological order. You can read AND comment. Just click GopherArchives

Comments? Questions? Email Steve



*-- Diabetic News --*
Scientists save beta cells from destruction in type 1 diabetes
Researchers at the Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine, have found a way to protect beta cells from destruction, which could lead to therapies to prevent type 1 diabetes.

Beta cells in the pancreas produce insulin. In type 1 diabetes, another type of white blood cells known as B lymphocytes work to activate the autoreactive T cells, or T lymphocytes, to destroy the beta cells in the pancreas.

The damaged cells cannot carry glucose to cells causing it to build up in the blood, leading to type 1 diabetes. Without injections of insulin, type 1 diabetics can develop damage to nerves, blood vessels and organs from high blood glucose levels.

"So there has been a lot of interest in the diabetes research community: If you can target those antigen-presenting B-cells, that could be potentially a very effective disease intervention," David Serreze, a professor at JAX Laboratories, said in a press release. "Our approach targets an appropriate population of the B cells among the white blood cells, resulting in inactivation of the cascade of autoimmunity against the insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells, and hence subsequently blocking diabetes development."

Researchers used gene manipulation to identify a possible metabolic target to eliminate B cells that initiate the type 1 diabetes process.

B cells turn on the gene known as activation-induced cytidine deaminase, or AID, which act like molecular scissors to cut the chromosomes within the B-cell.

The team found that non-diabetic mice treated with a specific pathway inhibitor known as AID/RAD51 had significantly more B cells capable of suppressing diabetogenic T cell responses, reducing T1D development compared to control groups.

"Ultimately, this approach could potentially be applicable to any autoimmune disease that has a B-cell component," Serreze said.

The study was published in the Journal of Immunology.



*-- Diabetic News --*
CUCUMBER AND DILL PASTA SALAD
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups Macaroni or small shells
8 oz carton sour cream
1/2 cup milk
1 Tbs fresh dill, minced
1 Tbs. white vinegar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
2 cups cucumber, peeled and chopped
1 cup Tomatoes, seeds removed and chopped

DIRECTIONS:
Cook pasta in boiling salted water until al dente. Drain, and rinse in cold water. Transfer cooked pasta to a large serving bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together sour cream, milk, dill, vinegar, and salt and pepper. Set dressing aside. Mix cucumbers and tomatoes into the pasta. Pour in dressing, and toss thoroughly to combine. Cover, and refrigerate at least 1 hour, for best results and taste prepare the night before the your together. Stir just before serving.

Categories: Pasta, Salads

***
Missed an Issue? Visit the Diabetic Digest Archives