SAN FRANCISCO – June 8, 2008 – Researchers at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston have discovered that a significant portion of people who have had type 1 diabetes for 50 or more years still have the capacity to produce insulin, a finding that has potential implications for improved treatment for all with the disease.
来自波士顿Joslin糖尿病中心的研究者发现有一部分病程超过50年的1型糖尿病患者体内仍然可以产生胰岛素，这项发现将为这部分患者带来治疗上的新突破。
In a study presented today at the American Diabetes Association’s 68th Scientific Sessions, researchers led by George King, M.D., showed that 17 percent of more than 300 people who have had type 1 diabetes for 50 years or more still had the capacity to produce some insulin.
George King博士带领下的研究者们在今天美国糖尿病学会第68界年会上公布了这项发现，他们的研究了300余名病程超过50年的1型糖尿病患者，发现其中17%仍然具有体内合成少量胰岛素的能力。
“This was a big surprise to everybody,” said King, Joslin’s Director of Research and lead investigator of the study. “If people who have had type 1 diabetes for this long have residual insulin production, then those who have had the disease for less time might have an even greater capacity to produce insulin.”
这样的结果对于所有人来说是个惊喜。如果那些具有长期病程的1型糖尿病患者仍然具有残存合成胰岛素的能力，那么那些短期病程的患者可能会具有更多合成胰岛素的可能。
The majority of individuals with type 1 diabetes have been living with the disease for at least 15 years. But, according to King, it is very rare to live with diabetes for more than 50 years.
1型糖尿病患者中的绝大部分至少已经具有患病史15年以上了，但是根据King博士的报告，很少见到有1型糖尿病患者具有50年以上的病史。
The study measured levels of c-peptide in patients enrolled in Joslin’s 50-year Medalist Study, which is following several hundred individuals who have been living with type 1 diabetes for 50 or more years to better understand the factors that contribute to their longevity. C-peptide is a protein fragment released by the pancreas and is used as a marker for insulin.
这项研究对于那些接受Joslin50年奖章研究的患者进行C肽水平的检测，而Joslin50年奖章研究中随访了数百名具有50年以上病程的1型糖尿病患者力图更好地发现影响他们寿命的因素。C肽是一种由胰腺分泌的蛋白质片段，它可以作为内源性胰岛素的标志物。
“This finding means that even people with diabetes for 50 to 80 years potentially still have some islet cells in the pancreas that have survived and could still make insulin,” King said.
这项研究发现意味着那些具有50至80年病程的糖尿病患者胰腺中仍然有可能残存少量胰岛细胞，并有合成胰岛素的能力。
“If we can find a way to revive these cells in patients, particularly those with fewer years with diabetes, it could mean new ways to treat the disease,” he said. “This finding could possibly allow patients to reduce the doses of insulin they are taking.”
如果我们能够找到一种使这些病人中残存细胞复苏的方法，特别是对于那些糖尿病病史较短的患者来说，这将意味着找到一条治疗这种疾病的崭新道路。这项发现还可能是那些接受胰岛素治疗的患者有可能减少胰岛素用量。
This talk is one of 87 presentations to be delivered by Joslin scientists at the ADA’s Scientific Sessions, Friday, June 6, through Tuesday, June 10 at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, CA. The session, “Novel Features of Autoimmune Pathogenesis,” is scheduled for Sunday, June 8 from 8:00 –10:00 a.m. PDT. [Abstract Number 173-OR: “Do Antibodies Signal Residual Insulin Production in Patients with 50 of more Years of Type 1 Diabetes?”]
以上这项报告是Joslin科学家们向本次ADA会议提交的87份报告中的一项，本次ADA会议在旧金山的Moscone会议中心举行，日期为6月6日（星期五）至6月10日（星期二）。按照日程安排，“自身免疫发病新机制”会议在6月8日（星期日）的8:00 – 10:00 a.m举行。（摘要编号173-OR：病程超过50年的1型糖尿病患者中是否仍然具有残存的合成胰岛素功能？）
Other researchers participating in this study include: Hillary A. Keenan, Ph.D., Jennifer Sun, M.D., and Lloyd Paul Aiello, M.D., Ph.D.
另一些参与这项研究的学者包括： Hillary A. Keenan, Ph.D., Jennifer Sun, M.D., and Lloyd Paul Aiello, M.D., Ph.D.
About the Medalist Program and Study
关于奖章计划和研究的背景材料
Since 1970, Joslin Diabetes Center has awarded medals or certificates to people with type 1 diabetes who have been insulin-dependent for at least 25 years. To date, more than 636 people have received certificates recognizing 25 years with diabetes and approximately 2,632 50-year Medals and 23 75-year Medals have been awarded.
从1970年起，Joslin糖尿病中心向那些接受胰岛素替代治疗超过25年的1型糖尿病患者颁发奖章或证书。迄今为止，已经有超过636名的患者获得了证明其25年病史的证书，大约有2,632枚50年奖章和23枚75年奖章已予颁发受领。
With support from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the William and Dee Brehm Family Foundation, the Tom Beatson Foundation and the Lilly Foundation, the 50-year Medalist Study began in April 2005 to identify the physiological, clinical, genetic and other factors shared by the Medalists.
通过接受来自于Juvenile糖尿病研究基金会、William和Dee Brehm基金会、Tom Beatson基金会和Lilly基金会的资助，在2005年4月开始启动这项50年奖章研究，对于那些接受糖尿病奖章的患者进行生理学、临床、遗传学以及其他一些方面的研究。
来源：国际糖尿病
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