Protein Disulfide Isomerase as a Novel Treatment for Diabetic Patients

­BACKGROUND

Diabetes is an epidemic disease, affecting over 350 million people worldwide, with as many as one in three American adults being afflicted with it by 2050 if current trends continue. It is defined by a sustained state of hyperglycemia, resulting from decreased glucose uptake into insulin-sensitive tissues (i.e., striated muscle and adipose tissue) due to either a lack of insulin production (type 1 diabetes) or insulin action (type 2 diabetes). While there are treatments for diabetes, the climbing case numbers and reliance on insulin dependent pathways reveal a critical need for improvements in treatment approaches.

SUMMARY OF TECHNOLOGY

Researchers at OSU have demonstrated a novel potential treatment for diabetes using a previously unconsidered target. This target is protein disulfide isomerase, a protein found in the cardiac secretions in diabetes-resistant mouse lines. However, when treated with the protein disulfide isomerase, both type 1 and type 2 diabetic individuals saw a reduction in blood glucose and improved glucose tolerance. This provides an advantage over current treatment methods as it is independent of the insulin pathway, meaning an increased effectiveness at treating type 2 diabetes. This treatment approach could lead to novel therapeutics for diabetic patients around the world.

POTENTIAL AREAS OF APPLICATION

• Treatment of diabetic patients

MAIN ADVANTAGES

• Improves glucose tolerance and lowers blood glucose level
• Appears to work through insulin-independent pathway (more effective at treating type 2 diabetes)

STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT

• Concept