Healing and Hope

A Newsletter of the Diabetes Institutes Foundation

May 2006

A NOTE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dear Reader,

Some exciting science and some good advice comes with this month’s e-newsletter.

We expand on March’s update on the status of INGAP clinical trials and basic science research in the SDI labs, as we focus on how Dr. Natasha Hamblet’s work with ontogeny (development of organisms) will help advance islet regeneration as a treatment for diabetes.

Phyllis Woodson, the Institutes’ dietitian, tempers recent news reports about soy in her article looking at the various health claims on using soy. No matter how you feel about the popular food, you’ll want to learn more about how soy can affect your health.

With the Institutes’ research in high gear and greater need for patient care, the Diabetes Institutes Foundation has committed to funding development at record levels. As we near the end of our fiscal year, we want to thank our generous donors for their commitment and support for the fight against diabetes at the Strelitz Diabetes Institutes.

Our 2005 Annual Report has been recently published and will be available soon on-line. If you would like to receive a copy of either the Report or the spring edition of the Diabetes Dispatch, please contact us through our Contact Us link.

Upcoming this summer are two major events, one local and one in New York. In Hampton Roads, the Cookout for the Cure, sponsored by the Port of Hampton Roads, will take place for the 12th year in a row on May 25 from 4 - 8 pm at Fleet Park on the Naval Station.

Our New York Chapter will host the 15th Annual Lee Mazzilli Celebrity Tournament on July 31st at Seawane. For more information: http://www.dif.org/special_events.

Our special thanks to the sponsors and participants of the Mike Cavish Golf Tournament which took place on April 24, a picture-perfect day on the golf course. A sold out crowd and generous sponsors raised $25,000.

Best,
Anna Goldenberg
Executive Director
Diabetes Institutes Foundation

FOUNDATION NEWS

8th Annual Mike Cavish Golf Tournament

No question - a fine time was had by all on April 24 at Bide A Wee Golf Course. 36 teams enjoyed an exceptionally fine day on the course, followed by a festive dinner with raffle prizes at Fellini's.

Stay tuned for exciting information to come about another very special tournament this fall.

Get Ready for Food and Fun!

The 12th Annual Cookout for the Cure, on May 25th, marks another successful collaboration between DIF, the Hampton Roads Shipping Association and the International Longshoremen's Association. Every year crowds gather in Fleet Park at Norfolk Naval Station to sample delicious food cooked up by competing "grill teams". This year, 105.3 KISS FM, Lite FM 107.7 and COOL FM 92.1, as well as the Hurrah Players, the Big Mighty and the Starlight Singers will provide the entertaintainment. WVEC's Sandra Parker will emcee. Don't miss this fun family event! Advance tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for military, students and seniors, and $5 for children 4-12. All tickets are $5 on the day of the event. To purchase tickets, call 446-8420.

MEDICAL NEWS

Genes Are Very Big in Research Progress Toward a Cure

Dr. Natasha Hamblet is excited about applying her unique talents as a molecular biologist to improve our understanding of how the gene, INGAP, is involved in the growth of the pancreas and the islets that make insulin during fetal life.

As a research associate in the Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Dr. Hamblet is investigating the role of genes in the embryonic development of the pancreas.

Why is the study of genes in the normal growth of the pancreas in the fetus in utero so important?

"Basic science research into pancreatic ontogeny (development) will allow us to understand the signals that govern islet formation," says Dr. Hamblet.

Embryonic development is a very complex and integrated series of genetic expressions. For example, in the development of the pancreas, a transcription factor called PDX-1 is an early gene that helps define early pancreatic formation. If it is absent, no pancreas develops. The same factor is also important in later development of normal islets that make insulin. Studies by other members of the Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory show that PDX- 1 is very important because it seems to regulate the INGAP gene. INGAP may work cooperatively with PDX-1 in the creation and control of islets. Scientists want to understand why this happens.

Dr. Hamblet explains, "We certainly wouldn't want to create islets that couldn't be controlled."

Dr. Hamblet is a member of the team that works with "transgenic" animals. Transgenic animals receive a gene that they don't naturally express. Scientists can then determine the gene's impact on physiology and other forms of behavior. Dr. Hamblet has been working with normal control mice and transgenic mice that have been given hamster INGAP, which they subsequently begin to express very early in pancreactic development.

"We were looking at INGAP expression in transgenic mice and found that the normal control mice also have an INGAP-like protein that is expressed in new islets along the same schedule as the transgenic mice. The commonality between that of islet creation during embryogenesis and islet regeneration is what we want to investigate," says Hamblet.

Genetic scientists are very patient people.

In their investigations, they observe the effect of the genetic process. Then they stop and retrace the steps of the unfolding process. Researchers use sophisticated techniques that allow them to look at gene expression directly in the developing pancreas and islets.

For example, SDI scientists have overexpressed INGAP in specific sites. Using this approach, they recently discovered that INGAP is actually best expressed in the acinar tissue, not the islets. Site expression is very important to gene function and physiological development.

"We're seeing that INGAP may be involved early on in the patterning of the pancreas and making cells into islets. We have to take a look at how and when INGAP is involved. Timing is very important."

Surprise struck recently in the SDI's scientific team's work with the transgenic mice – they found that the mice with hamster INGAP are resistant to chemically- induced diabetes.

Dr. Hamblet explains, "We want to find out why these mice are resistant and what happens in the embryonic process that may allow them to develop islets that can stand up to an assault and still keep going. That will help us understand how INGAP works to create healthy, functioning islets."

These studies are crucial to both the regeneration and transplantation approaches to treating diabetes.

With regeneration, these studies will help progress on continuing human trials as those trials look at dosage, timing, routes of administration, and autoimmunity and tolerance issues.

With transplantation, SDI research will help scientists greatly expand the numbers and stability of available islets.

Genes may be microscopic, but they have very big roles in the search for a cure for diabetes.

Dr. Hamblet forecasts, "An understanding of the pathways in which INGAP is involved is still ongoing, but it is crucial. INGAP may work on its own, or we may have to administer it in combination with other biologically active factors. As we look at the intricate process of islet creation, our understanding of the interplay of genes will be very important to the development of new therapies."

"The study of fetal development will allow us to duplicate events in the adult to create normal functioning islets in people who have lost them in the diabetic process."

NUTRITION TOPICS

Soy: The Jury is Still Out on Health Claims

Phyllis Woodson, MS, RD, CDE, Clinical Dietitian

Soy is one of our most versatile foods. Only about two percent of the two billion bushels of soybeans grown in the U.S. is consumed as human food. The remainder is used for products such as livestock feed, soaps, glue, bottle caps, pencils, paint, plastics, and detergents.

Can we appreciate soy more as a health food? Some studies suggest that soy may be helpful in reducing your risk for certain diseases, including heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, and even decreasing the symptoms of menopause. More research, however, is needed to confirm these claims. Soy protein contains phytoestrogens and isoflavones, nutrients that may have estrogen-like effects. Phytoestrogens have been likened to a weak form of plant estrogen. It has been suggested that the effectiveness of isoflavones can be enhanced by a daily intake of soy foods containing about 50 mg of isoflavones (3/4 cup soybeans), the amount consumed in the traditional Japanese diet. The potential effects of these nutritional elements are wide-ranging and require further scientific study.

Heart Disease: Isoflavones in soy protein may lower LDL or low density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) and raise HDL or high density lipoprotein (good cholesterol). Isoflavone may have an antioxidant effect similar to that of vitamin C and it may also lower cholesterol. Phytosterol, a plant's counterpart to cholesterol, may help lower cholesterol levels by reducing cholesterol absorption. Soybeans are an excellent source of phytosterols.

Cancer: Isoflavones in soy may inhibit the growth of breast, endometrial, prostate, and colon cancers. Phytosterols may reduce colon cancer risk. High levels of estrogen have been related to escalated risks for breast cancer and other hormone-related cancers. By mimicking and interfering with estrogen, isoflavone may prevent estrogen from binding to cell receptors and thereby inhibit the cancer process.

Osteoporosis: Soy protein contains less sulfuric amino acids and phosphorus than animal proteins. Large amounts of sulfur and phosphorus can cause the body to lose calcium, one of the most important minerals in retaining health bones. Isoflavone in soy may inhibit bone loss and stimulate bone formation. This may reduce the risk for osteoporosis, the bone- thinning process so common in postmenopausal women. Preliminary reports suggest that daily consumption of about 40 grams of soy protein (1 cup soymilk) may increase bone density, yet well- controlled studies are needed to confirm this.

Menopause: Isoflavone in soy foods may relieve symptoms of menopause including vaginal dryness and the inability to regulate body temperature, which often leads to sweats and hot flashes. Hot flashes occur in a significant number of pre- and perimenopausal women. Initial reports suggest that 80 mg of isoflavones (about 1 cup of tofu) per day may reduce the frequency of hot flashes.

There are no well-controlled studies documenting the safety or appropriate dosage of soy in the prevention or treatment of these health issues. Many scientists and physicians are concerned about the lack of scientific evidence regarding how little soy, for example, may be necessary to reduce hot flash symptoms but not present a risk for breast or endometrial cancer. Since we are unsure how much soy is needed to provide a beneficial response without a potentially harmful response, no specific dosage can be safely recommended. Remember, just because a product is sold at a grocery or health food store, doesn't mean that the product is safe.

Bon Appetit!

Yours in good health,
Phyllis Woodson, MS, RD, CDE
Dietitian

For more information