Verapamil's Promise: Protecting Beta Cell Function in Newly Diagnosed Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes
D-coding the Article - Effect of Verapamil on Pancreatic Beta Cell Function in Newly Diagnosed Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes
Published Date:
November 7, 2022
Published By:
Gregory P Forlenza , Jennifer McVean, Roy W Beck, Colleen Bauza, et al.
Approved By:
Ana Alvarez Pagola – INPACT Coordinator, INNODIA
Decoded By:
Asra H. Ahmed
MBA, PGCE in Assessment Learning disability, Diabesties Foundation
10 mins to read
- The T1D Takeaway
- Could Verapamil Change the Future for Kids with Type 1 Diabetes? Early Findings Show Hope.
Word Wizard
- Researchers wanted to see if verapamil, a common medicine, could help protect insulin-making cells in kids and teens who were recently diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.
- The participants were split into two double blind randomized groups. One group received verapamil daily, while the other took a “pretend” pill (placebo). Both groups also received either regular or intensive diabetes care.
- Kids taking verapamil kept about 30% more insulin-making power than those taking the placebo.
- Nearly all kids on verapamil (95%) still had some insulin-making function, compared to 71% of those on the placebo.
- Verapamil showed a small benefit in blood sugar control, with slightly lower average blood sugar levels (HbA1c).
- Verapamil was generally safe with only mild side effects similar in both groups, including some non-serious events.
- Verapamil helped keep some insulin-making cells working for longer in these kids, suggesting it may be a helpful addition to Type 1 Diabetes care, though more research is needed to see how long these benefits last and the best duration for treatment.
Summary Snap
Shots
The study found that verapamil might help keep insulin-producing cells working a bit longer in kids newly diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. While kids on verapamil had slightly better blood sugar control, some experienced side effects like low blood pressure or heart issues. More research is needed to confirm its safety for long-term use in children.
Prime Insight
In early lab studies, a protein that can harm insulin-making cells in the pancreas was found to cause these cells to die, especially when blood sugar is too high. This harmful protein can speed up the loss of these pancreatic beta cells.
Researchers thought that calcium channel blockers, like the medicine verapamil, might protect these cells and help them stay healthy for longer in people with Type 1 Diabetes.
This study found that verapamil helped kids newly diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes retain about 30% more of their insulin-making ability after a year compared to those not taking the drug.
Nearly all kids on verapamil (95%) still had some functioning insulin-producing cells, highlighting its potential to protect pancreatic function in early Type 1 Diabetes.
In this trial, children and teens aged 7 to 17 with a recent Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis were chosen randomly to receive either verapamil or a “pretend” pill (placebo) without knowing which one they got. The study was conducted at six centers across the U.S. from July 2020 to September 2022.
After a year, kids who took verapamil were able to keep more insulin-making power compared to those who didn’t. This exciting discovery hints at a way to keep blood sugar management a little easier for longer.
While the difference wasn’t huge, the kids taking verapamil had slightly better blood sugar levels. Every bit count, and this small boost could make a difference for some families.
Hope for the Future? Verapamil could potentially help protect those vital insulin-making cells a little longer.
While promising, researchers need more time to make sure it’s a safe option for kids. Families will want to stay tuned to see where this discovery leads!
Verapamil could potentially help protect those vital insulin-making cells a little longer. While promising, researchers need more time to make sure it’s a safe option for kids. Families will want to stay tuned to see where this discovery leads!
- A Deeper Dive
- The Sources Voice
Verapamil partially preserved stimulated C-peptide secretion at 52 weeks compared with placebo and was well tolerated in children and adolescents with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes.
- Curiosities Clarified
Yes, the study found that verapamil did help preserve insulin-making cells in children and adolescents newly diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.
After one year, those who took verapamil had about 30% more insulin-producing ability than those who didn’t take it. This suggests that verapamil can slow down the loss of these cells and may offer a way to keep some natural insulin production for longer, which could help with blood sugar management in early onset of Type 1 Diabetes.