Diabetes sufferers have been given hope of a cure after scientists regenerated cells destroyed by the disease for the first time.

Researchers have identified a cocktail of drugs that prevents the immune system malfunction that triggers Type 1 diabetes.

They found that boosting levels of a chemical produced by the body to ease inflammation led to the regeneration of insulin-producing pancreatic cells. While the effect has been demonstrated only in animals so far, the researchers are planning human trials and hope the breakthrough could lead to a cure.

Dr Iain Frame, of Diabetes UK, said: ?This could potentially be very important research in finding a better treatment for diabetes.

?More research is needed as initial studies have only been conducted in mice, but we are pleased that clinical trials are planned and look forward to hearing the results.?

Diabetics are at risk of serious complications, including heart disease, kidney failure and blindness.

Millions of people across the world suffer from Type 1 diabetes, where the body produces no insulin at all, and require daily injections.

Beta cells in the pancreas produce insulin, which allows glucose from food to enter cells and be converted to energy. Previous studies have shown inflammation plays an important role in disrupting this process in diabetics.

Last year, Dr Terry Strom and colleagues at Harvard Medical School in Boston showed that a combination of three drugs could alter the immune response of animals to halt destruction of beta cells.

However, mice with Type 1 diabetes had only 75 per cent of the normal level of beta cells after the treatment as it did nothing to spark their regrowth. In the new study, highlighted in New Scientist magazine, Dr Strom added a natural enzyme to the drug combination to reduce inflammation.

Donors in short supply

He gave newly diagnosed diabetic mice the drug mixture for three weeks. Fifty days after the end of the treatment, the mice had significantly higher numbers of the cells than those that had not been given the enzyme.

It was not yet known whether the treatment had an effect that lasted beyond 50 days.

Earlier this month, the Department of Health agreed to fund beta cell transplants for those most at risk. However, donors are in short supply and recipients have to take immunosuppressant drugs for life.