In laboratory tests, researchers have found a protein, Hsp70 that has reversed the loss of nerve functions in mice. Diabetes often causes nerve damage and sometimes it can be so severe the diabetic loses a limb or becomes wheelchair bound.
Michael J. Urban and colleagues at the University of Kansas are hopeful that this common protein can someday have the same effects on humans. In the mice, not only does it reverse to some extent the nerve damage but also when the damage is reversed the pain caused can by peripheral neuropathy is greatly decreased.
Human clinical studies have not started yet but the team is hopeful that humans will react the same way to the protein as the mice did. It could be a while before the clinical studies start as the team are still studying the Hsp70 protein as well as Hsp90 protein and learning how to administer it so diabetics get the best possible treatment from the protein.
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