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Evidence-Based Supplement Research
Evidence-Based Supplement Research

Gamma-aminobutyric acid for delaying type 1 diabetes mellitus: an update.

  • 2024-06-30
  • Annals of pediatric endocrinology & metabolism 29(3)
    • Jane Carissa Sutedja
    • Bryan Gervais de Liyis
    • Made Ratna Saraswati

Study Design

Type
Review
Population
individuals with a predisposition to T1DM, especially children
The current gold-standard management of hyperglycemia in individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is insulin therapy. However, this therapy is associated with a high incidence of complications, and delaying the onset of this disease produces a substantially positive impact on quality of life for individuals with a predisposition to T1DM, especially children. This review aimed to assess the use of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) to delay the onset of T1DM in children. GABA produces protective and proliferative effects in 2 ways, β cell and immune cell modulation. Various in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that GABA induces proliferation of β cells, increases insulin levels, inhibits β-cell apoptosis, and suppresses T helper 1 cell activity against islet antigens. Oral GABA is safe as no serious adverse effects were reported in any of the studies included in this review. These findings demonstrate promising results for the use of GABA treatment to delay T1DM, specifically in genetically predisposed children, through immunoregulatory effects and the ability to induce β-cell proliferation.

Research Insights

  • This review aimed to assess the use of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) to delay the onset of T1DM in children. [...] These findings demonstrate promising results for the use of GABA treatment to delay T1DM, specifically in genetically predisposed children, through immunoregulatory effects and the ability to induce β-cell proliferation.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small

Adverse Events Reported

  • Gamma-Aminobutyric AcidOverall tolerability

    Oral GABA is safe as no serious adverse effects were reported in any of the studies included in this review.

    Finding
    Reported
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