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Gila monsters saliva - diabetes treatment

 
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zarozinia
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PostPosted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 6:29 pm    Post subject: Gila monsters saliva - diabetes treatment Reply with quote

Yes, you can tell I'm bored when I start posting news articles Ive read.

Lizard Spit Diabetes Treatment


There are dozens of medications on the market for diabetes patients but none of them are quite like this.



A new treatment tested right here in the twin cities is based on a substance found in lizard spit. It helps control weight gain, which can be a problematic side effect for many diabetes patients.



This is a story about a poisonous lizard called the Gila monster and a Minnesotan who is grateful to be called as a guinea pig.



"It's been a lifesaver for me."



Actually it's more than story. It's a medical breakthrough one that's unlikely, even gross. One that came about when scientists started studying spit from the Gila monster.



"They'd tease me about my tongue coming out. Looking for a fly or something."



For twenty years David Anderson has suffered from type 2 diabetes.



"You'd get hypoglycemic. It affects your vision, your whole body. Your heart pounds. That's not a good feeling."



But for the past three years his diabetes hasn't been a problem.



"All of a sudden in January of 2003 we started on the real thing. The o'l Gila monster spit. I tell you it really made a difference in my life."



Thanks to a study at the International Diabetes Center at Park Nicollet in Minneapolis…



"We wanted to show it was effective and safe before it got on the market."



…and a substance found in the saliva of the Gila monster. Researchers discovered it helps keep blood sugar levels low and it helps curb the appetite in type 2 diabetes patients.



"We've seen some people's lives change by finally getting their blood sugar controlled so they feel safe. And at the same time not gaining weight or losing weight."



The Gila monster first caught the attention of researchers because it only eats four times a year. They were intrigued by what seemed to be its natural appetite suppressant.



"Something was going on that's different than the rest of us. How can you not be hungry for three months?"



Now that compound from the saliva is copied in a lab, put in a vile and sold on the market. It's called Byetta.



Diabetes patients use a pen-like device to inject Byettea twice a day. David Anderson says he feels the effects all day.



"My energy has increased. I want to get up in the morning instead of lay around the house."



Anderson doesn't just feel energized. He feels grateful...



"I don't flash my tongue or anything like the gila monster, he, he, he."



…grateful that researchers had enough curiosity to look for a fix in the most unlikely of places and enough courage to wrestle a poisonous lizard to get it.



"They're poisonous too. I suppose you had to be very careful to get that first little spit out to test it."



Byetta was approved by the FDA a few months ago.

from http://www.upn29.com/news/story.asp?1650459
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Peter Parrot
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PostPosted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 6:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Interesting stuff. Scott, how often to your Gilas feed out of interest? Confused
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Scott W
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PostPosted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 10:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I tend to feed them weekly, although I'm sure they would eat 2 or 3 times a week if I offered more.

Interesting article Angi, thanks for posting.
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JStroud
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PostPosted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 2:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice post...Cool
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 10:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Scott W wrote:
I tend to feed them weekly, although I'm sure they would eat 2 or 3 times a week if I offered more.

Interesting article Angi, thanks for posting.


They must be big now?

You overfeeding them again?

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Scott W
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 9:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

nah...no where near over feeding Wink 5 are good size adults, another 6 are just about up to size and then I have some from last year that are still quite small.

Your's all in hibernation?
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 3:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

On cool down yes,

due to bring them out end of february, hopefully should be a good year this year.

Nothing very much last year, got the cooling period wrong, just lack of time.

You expecting your own this year Scott?

J
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 3:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

hoping rather than expecting. Potentially have 4 females that will be ready, maybe more from the other group too.

what temp have you cooled them down to?
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