The Newest Treatment For Diabetes: Lizard Venom?

Filed in archive Research on February 12, 2006

The news and fabulous inventions coming out of diabetic research today never fail to be amazing. But here's one that surpassed all surprises so far!

From Contra Costa Times:

Gila monsters have a unique protein in their venom that could eventually help treat diabetes in humans. But researchers are still studying the lizards to find out how the protein works.

"By understanding how this protein acts in this native organism, you can understand what more it would do in other animals," said researcher Carol Christel, while holding one of the lizards in her hands.

Gila monsters are one of only two poisonous lizards in the world. The other is the Mexican beaded lizard, similar to a Gila monster.

Their venom is not as potent to humans as snake venom, but for the Gila's prey -- litters of rodents or rabbits -- it's enough. Gilas also eat bird eggs.

Unlike humans, who eat at least twice a day, Gila monsters feast two or three times each year, Secor said. They then survive by storing fat in their tails.

The protein, exendin-4, helps maintain and control insulin and glucose in the lizard during the long periods between meals. In humans, researchers found the protein lasts longer than other diabetes drugs, and the pharmaceutical company Amylin is developing an exendin-based drug.

The lizard can make the protein by gnawing on anything but fortunately for the Gila monster, the protein can also be made synthetically.

Wow. Do we live in amazing times or what?