生物谷報(bào)道：在英國,，約有兩百萬人飽受糖尿病所苦,；尚有約50萬人并未診斷出胰島素失衡。據(jù)統(tǒng)計(jì),，這項(xiàng)疾病使英國男性平均年齡下降有五歲,、女性達(dá)七歲之多,。此外，糖尿病除了無法正常調(diào)控血糖的升降外,，常伴有心臟疾病,、腎臟衰敗與夜盲，甚至因感覺遲鈍而容易導(dǎo)致感染與傷口潰爛,，進(jìn)而需要截肢,。
現(xiàn)在，由生長在美國西南部和墨西哥沙漠的希拉毒蜥（Gila monster）唾液中所發(fā)現(xiàn)一個(gè)類荷爾蒙成分exendin-4,，經(jīng)由實(shí)驗(yàn)證實(shí)能夠有效幫助糖尿病換回復(fù)胰島素的分泌,。
在健康的人類個(gè)體中，GLP-1會(huì)在血糖過高時(shí),，刺激腺制造胰島素制造與分泌,。 在第二型糖尿病的患者中，此調(diào)控路徑由于訊息過弱而無法正常調(diào)控血糖,。以“Exenatide”為產(chǎn)品名稱正式上市的藥物,，與人類血液中調(diào)控血糖激素“胰高血糖激素勝肽1（glucagon-like-peptide-1，GLP-1）”的相仿,，能夠幫助46％的患者在投藥后恢復(fù)正常的胰島素調(diào)控狀態(tài),。
希拉毒蜥僅三年到四年覓食一次，正是其唾腺中的exendin-4成分幫助它緩慢而穩(wěn)定的維持一定的消化速度,。“這給我們應(yīng)用在糖尿病治療的靈感,；”禮來制藥公司（Eli Lilly）的Michael Trautmann博士表示：“Exenatide的發(fā)現(xiàn)讓我們清楚的了解，在人類血糖代謝機(jī)制上如何以新的方向去調(diào)控,。”
相關(guān)英文原文：
Saliva of monster Mexican lizard providing lifeline to type 2 diabetes
By JENNY HOPE - More by this author » Last updated at 22:00pm on 7th May 2007
A 'monster' lizard from Mexico could hold the key to providing a better life for people with type 2 diabetes.
The two-foot-long pink and black lizard called the Gila monster has inspired the development of a new drug to tackle the disorder.
Scientists have isolated a chemical in its saliva which is similar to a human hormone that helps regulate blood sugar.
The garish Gila monster only eats three or four times a year but the compound known as exendin-4 produced in its salivary glands helps them digest these meals very slowly.
This unique quality has now been copied and produced synthetically in the injectable drug exenatide.
Exenatide - the first in a new class of medicines known as incretin mimetics - works by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin in response to raised blood sugar, and also influences digestion and appetite.
The Gila monster also happens to be one of only two venomous lizards in the world - but scientists wanted to analyse its spit, rather than the poison produced by glands in the lower jaw.
Although this is capable of killing its prey of small mammals and birds, humans are unlikely to get more than an irritating bite.
The drug companies Eli Lilly and Amylin Pharmaceuticals are now launching exenatide under the brand name Byetta.
Dr Michael Trautmann, from Eli Lilly, said exendin-4, found in the lizard's saliva, acts in a similar way to the human hormone glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1).
In healthy humans, GLP-1 stimulates beta cells in the pancreas to produce insulin when blood sugar levels get too high.
But in type 2 diabetics, the GLP-1 message system can break down because the signal to make more insulin is weak or missing.
Dr Trautmann said "The development of exenatide is an excellent example of how greater understanding of the physiology of humans can lead to innovative treatment discoveries.
"The GLP-1 mechanism plays an important role as an incretin in regulating blood glucose, intestinal food absorption, and appetite.
"The Gila monster only eats three or four times a year, and a compound produced in its salivary glands called exendin-4 may help them digest these meals very slowly over time.
"That is an advantageous quality when translated into controlling diabetes."
Wild populations of the Gila monster and its equally poisonous cousin the Beaded Lizard are declining rapidly due to habitat loss and illegal hunting for the pet trade.
This has led conservationists to set up Project Heloderma in central and north America, where the reptiles live.
In recognition of the Gila monster's gift to medicine, Eli Lilly is making a charitable contribution to the project over the next three years.
Richard Gibson, Curator of Herpetology at the Zoological Society of London, said "The Gila Monster is an amazing reptile and one without which this valuable discovery would not have been made.
"Worryingly, both the Gila Monster and its close relative, the Beaded Lizard, are under serious threat, a situation that Project Heloderma is trying to address.
"I hope that further awareness of its role in this exciting medication will highlight the importance of preserving the habitat of Gila Monsters and related species."
Cathy Moulton, care adviser at Diabetes UK charity, said "Managing blood glucose levels along qwith blood pressure levels is central to reducing the risk of heart attacks, blindness, strokes, kidney disease and amputations in people with type 2 diabetes.
"This is an exciting time as any new treatment that helps people with type 2 diabetes that is safe and effectige is to be welcomed.
"New treatments provide more options to ensure the most effective treatment for any individual."
