Understanding the mechanism
by which BOTOX® works to smooth wrinkles may turn out to be helpful in
developing new ways to treat Type 2 Diabetes. BOTOX® Cosmetic is best known as
an injection for helping patients smooth fine lines and wrinkles in order to
look their best. Not as widely known, is the fact that BOTOX® is also used as
treatment for a number of medical conditions.
These medical conditions include
urinary incontinence, migraines, profuse sweating and crossed eyes, to name a
few. How does BOTOX® help these conditions? It is effective due to its
paralyzing impact on the muscle it is injected into. Specifically, certain
proteins called SNARE (Soluble NSF Attachment Protein Receptor) are blocked
from functioning. By stopping SNARE proteins from functioning, BOTOX® helps the
pancreas secrete insulin, so that blocking these proteins could lead to insulin
resistance which is the main characteristic of Type 2 Diabetes. Understanding
this mechanism will hopefully provide researchers with new ways to diagnose and
treat Type 2 Diabetes in the future.
If you or someone you know is
concerned about the risk of diabetes and needs a diabetic eye exam they are
encouraged to schedule an eyeexamination at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham by calling
205-930-0930, visiting Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or Facebook.com/MichelsonLaserVision.
Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract
Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham located at UAB-Highlands,
1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205.
