Diabetes is a term for glucose intolerance where the body cannot adequately manage the blood glucose levels. This is usually caused by insulin resistance (intolerance), reduced levels of insulin or the absence of insulin. Insulin is the hormone secreted by the pancreas that helps regulate blood glucose levels. When insulin is secreted, the body cells increase the uptake of glucose from the blood and excess glucose is converted into glycogen and stored in the liver and muscle cells. Any glucose above and beyond may be converted into fat and stored in fat cells.

continue reading Diabetes and Immunity (Immune Causes)

Hepatitis B virus

A key difference has been noticed by the scientists from UCL (University College London) between people who can fight the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) off successfully and those who can’t do so.A group of cells important in controlling the disease are initiated to ‘kill themself’ in patients who are permanently infected.The finding gives an important new focus for developing treatments and vaccines that enhance body’s ability to cope with the infection.

Immune system

The researchers examined thousands of genes in T cells, critical players of the immune system required for control of HBV.They discovered that T cells from patients who were chronically infected were initiated to ‘Kill themself’.This could be a notable factor in knowing why these patients’ immune systems cannot fight the infection, and a process which could be a useful target for new treatments.Their discoveries are being published today in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

continue reading Hepatitis B Virus initiates cell ‘Self-killing’ in patients with Chronic Infection.