UAE | Health
Artificial venom aids fight against diabetes in UAE
A lizard's venom helped to give birth to a new Type 2 diabetes drug, which is now available in the UAE.
- By Dina El Shammaa, Staff Reporter
- Published: 17:29 February 19, 2008
Abu Dhabi: A lizard's venom helped to give birth to a new Type 2 diabetes drug, which is now available in the UAE.
The drug, Exenatide (Byetta), is an artificial version of the venom found in the Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum).
The saliva of the two-feet long pink and black lizard, native to the US, contains a chemical exendin-4, similar to a human hormone to help regulate blood sugar.
Byetta has proven effective in the control of Type 2 diabetes in humans.
Scientists from drug companies Eli Lilly and Amylin Pharmaceuticals worked together to develop Exenatide, an artificial version of exendin-4 that can be injected into patients and stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin in response to raised blood sugar. It also influences digestion and appetite.
A significant effect of the drug is weight loss, which is a major benefit for Type 2 diabetes patients, who are often overweight.
It helps with glucose (blood sugar) management in several ways: It signals the pancreas to create additional insulin when glucose levels are too high; it regulates the liver so that it doesn't produce unneeded glucose; and helps slow the rate of sugar entering the bloodstream.
According to Dr Eisa Al Mansouri, Director of the Drug Control Department, Ministry of Health, the combination of blood sugar regulation and weight loss give Byetta an additional punch in the battle against diabetes.
"Our aim is to make available the best treatments for patients in the UAE. We give high importance to all that relates to the diabetes field, as we know that diabetes is one of the major conditions threatening our community. Byetta is a new class of treatment for diabetes. We are one of the first countries in the Middle East to make Byetta available," said Al Mansouri
Byetta has been available in the US since 2005. It is now offered in more than 23 countries and used by more than 700,000 diabetes patients worldwide.
Share this article
More from UAE Health
More from UAE
Popular in UAE
-
Your pictures
Readers' pictures
A Selection of the best Gulf News reader pictures this week
Latest news
- Teacher jailed for indecent behaviour
- Building the blocks of education, step by step
- Forum seeks more reforms to human trafficking law
- Crackdown urged on drink driving
- Disability is no handicap for this Emirati
- UAE Residency department to offer quicker service
- UAE maintains economic status on global stage
- Shaikh Khalifa revamps security council
- Exhibition to showcase UAE art in New York
- Police officer injured during raid on brothels
- Waiters tamper with orders, cheat customers
- Lebanese expats celebrate independence day
- Gulf News wins international design awards
- Queen praises UAE's role
- Sharjah intensifies food inspections for Eid
Community Reports
-
Noise pollution must be regulated
Residents are finding it difficult to sleep well at night owing to ongoing construction work
-
Protect our children's health
Dust and dirt from a nearby road are causing problems to those frequenting Al Nasseriya park, Sharjah.
-
Keeping out curious cats in Abu Dhabi
Felines trapped in electrical substations create a nuisance
-
Construction site turned into dump
Sharjah residents using abandoned spot to dispose of waste
