Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab.  2024 Jun;29(3):142-151. 10.6065/apem.2346184.092.

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

• Sutedja JC
• Liyis BGd
• Saraswati MR

• KMID: 2556669
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.6065/apem.2346184.092

Abstract

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.

Keyword

Child; Type 1 diabetes mellitus; Gamma-aminobutyric acid

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Type 1 diabetes mellitus autoimmunity pathophysiology.

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  Fig. 2. Dual pharmacodynamics of GABA in β-cells and immune cells. GABA, gamma-aminobutyric acid; GABAA R, GABA subtype A receptor; GABAB R, GABA subtype B receptor; PI3K, phosphoinositide 3-kinase; PKC, protein kinase C; PIP2, phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate; PIP3, phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate; mTORC1, mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1; PKB, protein kinase B; PKA, protein kinase A; cAMP, cyclic adenosine monophosphate; CREB, cAMP-response element binding; GSK3, glycogen synthase kinase 3; ATP, adenosine triphosphate; NF-κB, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells.

Reference

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