Research suggests gene action through nutrition could cure diabetes

According to a study by Texas AgriLife Research, understanding the action of the PFKFB3 gene could prevent and possibly cure diabetes. Changes in nutrition, or supplements in the diet that activate the PFKFB3 gene could also control metabolic inflammation could reverse diabetes.

Study author Chaodong Wu, MD says "Because we understand the mechanism, or how the gene works, we believe a focus on nutrition will find the way to both prevent and reverse diabetes. First we will need to identify what effective compounds will trigger the gene to regulate metabolism, then we need to determine what combinations within foods are more effective."

Dr. Wu and colleagues identified the PFKFB3 gene as a regulator of metabolism. Diabetess leads to metabolic dysfunction because the body is unable to use glucose for energy. Inability of the body to metabolize food leads to high blood sugar levels. Activating the gene through nutrition could reverse that type of inflammation that causes diabetes.

According to Dr. Wu, being overweight does not necessarily cause diabetes. The researcher says "metabolic inflammation", that differs from classic inflammation from virus or bacteria, is the cause of diabetes. He believes that a nutritional plan could be developed to prevent or cure diabetes.

The study suggest that changing our diet could lead to a gene action that controls metabolic inflammation and might even sure diabetes. For now Dr. Wu suggests focusing on a healthier diet that includes fish and other seafood. Omega 3 fatty acids found in seafood also control inflammation. ◦

Research suggests gene action through nutrition could cure diabetes

Improved lung cancer survival found with anti estrogen drugs

Estrogen may play a role in lung cancer deaths. Anti-estrogen drugs used to treat breast cancer were found to reduce lung cancer mortality in women, according to results of a study from Switzerland. The therapy used for breast cancer treatment could also play an important role for improving survival of lung cancer patients.

According to Elisabetta Rapiti, M.D., M.P.H., medical researcher with the Geneva Cancer Registry, University of Geneva, Switzerland, "We found a reduction in lung cancer mortality among women treated with anti-estrogens for breast cancer. This work builds on previous studies that had suggested estrogens have a role in lung cancer development and progression."

The researchers say their findings could have important clinical significance for the treatment of lung cancer. The study included 6715 women diagnosed with breast cancer who were treated with anti-estrogen drugs in Switzerland between 1980 and 2003The anti-estrogen drug used was primarily tamoxifen, used in 46 percent of the women.

Forty cases of lung cancer had developed among women being treated for breast cancer. The incidence of lung cancer was the same with or without anti-estrogen drugs, but women who received it tamoxifen survived longer.

Anti-estrogen drugs could prolong survival in lung cancer patients.Phase II clinical trials are underway to evaluate the effect of anti estrogen drugs for improved lung cancer survival.

American Association for Cancer Research ◦

Improved lung cancer survival found with anti estrogen drugs