Abstract

The Quran provides a distinct sequence by which an embryo forms, and it also
suggests the possibility of whole organism or specific organ renewal along the lines
of the initial formation. In particular, the Quran mentions an “izama,” or substrate,
that is necessary to allow for the completion of the process of embryogenesis.
Based on the principle that regeneration of organs is possible, but along an
identifiable pathway that requires key “izamas,” we hypothesized that, in the
context of pancreatic regeneration after injury, there were key molecular switches
that turned on, or reprogrammed, the organ towards completion of regeneration.
We examined the role of the epigenetic proteins the histone deacetylases (HDACs)as a key switch and found that they indeed were necessary for turning on the
processes that allowed the final maturation of the regenerating pancreas. We hope
that this insight from the Holy Quran will be beneficial in providing principles for a
pathway through epigenetic reprogramming to enhance organ regeneration after
injury and will thus treat organ-based disorders.