Restarting beta cells in Type 1 Diabetes

A research study has shown that verapamil, anti-blood pressure medicine, can preserve insulin-producing beta cell function in people who were recently diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes is characterised by a gradual destruction and loss of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells resulting in a lifelong dependence on insulin to maintain blood glucose levels. The study included 26 people with Type 1 Diabetes aged 18 to 44 years of age who were diagnosed within the last 3 months. They were divided into two groups 11 who were given oral verapamil and 13 who were in placebo group. Both groups were also on insulin therapy. The study showed that verapamil improved beta cell function over the year-long study.