"Dr. Nadler and his team have made amazing strides in our understanding of how lipoxygenase may contribute to the development of diabetes and opens the possibility of directly targeting this enzyme for treatment," Dr. Holman said. "Based on this important discovery, Dr. Nadler has already begun testing our lipoxygenase inhibitors in the hopes of generating new treatments for diabetes. His preliminary results are very promising and with his recent funding by the JDRF, we hope to make further progress."

"JDRF is thrilled to be supporting Dr. Nadler's work at EVMS as this research may represent an important step toward the development of a new therapeutic strategy for treating type 1 diabetes," said Patricia Kilian, PhD, director of regeneration at JDRF.

Often diagnosed in children and young adults, Type 1 diabetes, previously known as juvenile diabetes, is an autoimmune disorder associated with the destruction of insulin-producing beta cells. Without insulin, the body is unable to process sugars and starches leaving it unable to convert them into energy for movement, growth, repair and other functions.

Source: Eastern Virginia Medical School