Frog skin diabetes treatment hope (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

Skin secretions from a South American "shrinking" frog could be used to treat type 2 diabetes, researchers say.

A compound isolated from the frog, which unusually starts life as a 27cm tadpole before shrinking to 4cm in adulthood, stimulates insulin release.
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Scientists from the University of Ulster and United Arab Emirates University have tested a synthetic version of pseudin-2, a compound which protects the paradoxical frog from infection.

They found it stimulated the secretion of insulin in pancreatic cells in the laboratory.

And importantly, there were no toxic effects on the cells.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7270714.stm

[dropkickpa]

1. dried frog pills

Okay, that just tickled me to no end and this really has nothing to do with the post, but I love Terry Pratchett and this made me think of that.

[Richard D]

2. Insufficient insulin

is only part of the problem. The cell membranes can also get inured to the effect of the insulin.