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Platypus venom could treat diabetes
Platypus
The hormone produced in the gut of the platypus to regulate blood glucose, is also produced in its venom.

Scientists discover longer-lasting form of GLP-1 hormone

A powerful venom secreted by the platypus during breeding season could lead to new treatments for type 2 diabetes in humans, according to new research. 


Scientists at the University of Adelaide and Flinders University were surprised to discover that the hormone produced in the gut of the platypus to regulate blood glucose, is also produced in its venom.

“This is an amazing example of how millions of years of evolution can shape molecules and optimise their function," said lead co-author Professor Frank Grutzner.


"These findings have the potential to inform diabetes treatment, one of our greatest health challenges, although exactly how we can convert this finding into a treatment will need to be the subject of future research."

The hormone, known as glucagon-likepeptide-1 (GLP-1), is secreted in the gut of both humans and animals. Its job is to stimulate the release of insulin to lower glucose in the blood, but GLP-1 typically degrades within minutes.


In people with type 2 diabetes, the short stimulus triggered by GLP-1 is not enough to maintain a proper balance of sugar. As such, a medication that includes a longer lasting form of the hormone is needed to help provide an extended release of insulin.


Reporting their findings in the journal Scientific Reports, the authors describe how the GLP-1 hormone in the platypus has evolved, making it resistant to the rapid degradation seen in humans.


"We've found that GLP-1 is degraded in monotremes by a completely different mechanism,” explained Professor Grutzner.

“Further analysis of the genetics of monotremes reveals that there seems to be a kind of molecular warfare going on between the function of GLP-1, which is produced in the gut but surprisingly also in their venom," he said.

During breeding season, the platypus produces a powerful venom which is used is competition among males for females.


The researchers discovered conflicting functions of GLP-1 in the platypus: in the gut as a regulator of blood glucose, and in venom to fend off other platypus males during breeding season.


“This tug of war between the different functions has resulted in dramatic changes in the GLP-1 system," said co-lead author Professor Briony Forbes.

"The function in venom has most likely triggered the evolution of a stable form of GLP-1 in monotremes. Excitingly, stable GLP-1 molecules are highly desirable as potential type 2 diabetes treatments.”


The team also discovered GLP-1 in the venom of echidnas, and are now looking for a way to convert their discovery into a possible treatment for type 2 diabetes.  

Image (C) Klaus/Wikimeda Commons

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.