Cardiac complications are frequent in diabetes, and are the single greatest producer of death. For decades, doctors have taught that "prevention was the best treatment," and it is, but there has been little one could do to reverse the heart damage done by high blood sugars. That may be changing.
New Zealand-based Protemix Corporation has announced the discovery of Laszarin, an oral treatment that has demonstrated significant effectiveness in reducing heart size, in diabetic patients who show heart enlargement. There is apparently a linkage between diabetic heart disease and defective copper metabolism, and Laszarin caused increased urinary output of copper.
The chief researchers, Professor Garth Cooper and Dr. John Baker of Protemix, state: "damaged hearts in the preclinical models and humans had substantively regenerated after treatment with Laszarin."
"It has been assumed since the beginning of time that heart muscle will not regenerate. This work refutes that," said Professor Norman Sharpe, Medical Director of the New Zealand Heart Foundation.
Of course the research is in early stages. Protemix is currently applying to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for permission to conduct Phase 3 trials. If they are successful, we will have a potent new oral medication for treatment of diabetic heart complications. It's early yet; stay tuned; we'll report when the results of these clinicals are made available.