Incara's Catalytic Antioxidant Induces Diabetes Resistance in Mouse Model
Data Presented at the American Diabetes Association Annual Meeting Suggests Mechanism
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., June 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Laboratory data presented yesterday suggests how Incara Pharmaceuticals Corporation's (Nasdaq: INCR - News) catalytic antioxidant delayed the onset of Type 1 diabetes in a mouse model, an observation recently published in the journal "Diabetes." The new findings demonstrate that AEOL 10113 reduced the extent of T-lymphocyte proliferation and release of inflammatory mediators in response to a specific antigen. Such increases occur in the autoimmune response to pancreatic beta cell antigens and are associated with the death of these cells, which leads to Type 1 diabetes. Dr. Jon Piganelli, with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and co-authors presented these findings at the annual scientific meeting of the American Diabetes Association in San Francisco, CA, (http://www.diabetes.org/am02).
"In addition to the implications for the treatment of diabetes, these immunomodulatory effects demonstrate that our catalytic antioxidant compounds might be useful in cell or organ transplant therapy to prevent rejection," stated Clayton I. Duncan, President and CEO of Incara. "This finding is important for Incara's strategic approach to disease management with proprietary technologies in tissue protection, repair and regeneration."
Incara's catalytic antioxidant molecules inactivate reactive oxygen- derived molecules, such as superoxide, hydrogen peroxide and peroxynitrite, in a manner similar to that of naturally occurring enzymes that normally protect the body from these harmful products. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune process in which T-cells produce pro-inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen-derived molecules that kill the cells that produce insulin, the beta cells in the pancreas. Type 1 diabetics are dependent on daily insulin injections to stay alive. There are up to one million Type 1 diabetics in the United States with about 30,000 new cases diagnosed annually.
Incara Pharmaceuticals Corporation (www.incara.com) is focused on disease therapies based on tissue protection, repair and regeneration. In particular, the company is developing a series of catalytic antioxidants as treatments for protection of cells from damage occurring in cancer radiation therapy and stroke, and for protection of cells from transplant rejection. Incara is also developing cell therapy for treatment of liver failure. In addition, Incara's business venture with Elan Corporation, plc is conducting a Phase 2/3 multicenter clinical trial for deligoparin, an ultra-low molecular weight heparin, for treatment of ulcerative colitis. |
