Adenosine pathway increases β-cell regeneration

This study screened ∼7,000 small molecules in a zebrafish model of diabetes to identify compounds that enhanced β-cell regeneration. Four of the identified compounds were modulators of the adenosine signalling pathway. The most potent enhancer of β-cell regeneration (but not of normal development) was the adenosine receptor agonist 50-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine, which had glucose-lowering effects in zebrafish and diabetic mice. So, targeting the adenosine pathway could be a therapeutic option in diabetes.