Researchers cure type 2 diabetes in mice

Researchers at the Autonmous University of Barcelona (UAB) have managed to cure type 2 diabetes and obesity in mice using gene therapy.

In one injection, the gene that produces the FGF21 protein was introduced into their bodies. This protein acts in various tissues regulating the functioning of the body.

Over a year and a half the mice involved in the experiment were monitored. During this period they lost weight, and the accumulation of fat as well as inflammation of fat tissue decreased.

The ground-breaking therapy also worked against inflammation of the liver. No side effects were observed in the mice, meaning that the treatment is “safe and effective” according to the group led by Professor Fàtima Bosch.

But this is just the beginning. The next step is to test on larger animals before moving on to clinical trials with humans. The researchers believe  that this could start in five years. The investigation was published on Monday in ‘EMBO Molecular Medicine’.