Old drugs rediscovered as potentially promising Type 1 diabetes treatments

I remember some years ago reading over and over again, as accepted truth, that Type 1 diabetes could only be managed, not treated or reversed. In other words, once you stop producing insulin, that is it, there is no going back, and the best that can be done is treating you with insulin, as accurately and precisely as possible, and otherwise manage and possible side effects as well as improving quality of life through regimen, diet, exercise, etc.

That is no longer the belief one would adhere to if one followed the science on the matter. Lots of cellular and other methods have been discovered that allow to recover the body's ability to produce insulin, as well as prevent the loss of that ability. Also, quite interestingly, medications that have been in use for other purposes have been discovered useful in this quest. Methylodpoa, a hypertension medication, has been discovered to block the DQ8 molecule which is believed to trigger the diabetic's immune system to attack their insulin-producing beta cells[1]. That may bring about revolutionary changes in the Type 1 diabetes prevention. Verapamil, another hypertension medication, has been discovered to slow down or even stop the loss of beta cells which are responsible for insulin production[2].

Somehow I feel these discoveries are just harbingers of many more to come. New methods combined with the wealth of medications already developed - and new uses being discovered - may really change the life for the better for many whose conditions even a few decades ago was viewed as a dead end.

Source

1. Common blood pressure drug may prevent type 1 diabetes
   Honor Whiteman, MedicalNewsToday, 16 February 2018

2. Human Trials Show a 30-Year-Old Heart Disease Drug Could Help Treat Type 1 Diabetes
   Charlotte Hu, Business Insider, 11 July 2018