Diabetes tablet ‘could be available in ten years’

A tablet that prevents kidney failure and early death in diabetics and would save the NHS billions of pounds a year could be available within a decade.

Researchers have discovered that diabetics at high risk of kidney failure, heart attacks and strokes have a deficiency of a hormone called klotho.

They are hopeful that boosting levels of this hormone will significantly reduce the chance of them developing these lifethreatening events.

The klotho discovery has the potential to prolong the lives of millions of diabetics by up to 15 years. Researchers from King’s Collegelondon,whomade the discovery, said the findings would pave the way for a blood test to identify diabetics at high risk of kidney failure or other complications. They also hope that a klotho tablet will become available in the next ten to 15 years.