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Oral delivery of insulin

A new oral insulin formulation based on ionic liquids has been successfully developed, showing stability at room temperature and under refrigeration. The formulation significantly reduces blood glucose levels in rats, with up to 45% decrease observed after oral delivery.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 25, 2018

New hope from the 'seven year switch' in Type 1 diabetes

A study published in Diabetes Care found that the rapid decline in insulin production associated with Type 1 diabetes follows a two-phase pattern: an initial exponential fall and a subsequent stable phase. This discovery suggests that people with Type 1 diabetes may retain some working beta-cells for seven years after diagnosis.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalDiabetes Care·DateJun 8, 2018

Low-fat or low-carb? It's a draw, Stanford study finds

A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that cutting carbs or fats results in similar weight loss, with no association between individual biological factors and diet success. Participants followed either a low-fat or low-carb diet for one year, showing that the fundamental strategy for losing weight is to eat whole foods.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalJAMA·DateFeb 20, 2018

How the insulin receptor works

Researchers from Helmholtz Munich successfully visualize insulin receptor activation for the first time, revealing a structural change that propagates across the plasma membrane to initiate signaling cascades. This breakthrough sheds new light on insulin's biological actions and has implications for understanding diabetes and cancer.

Type-2 diabetes: Insulin held up in traffic

A study by Uppsala University researchers reveals that a vesicle attachment defect is the root cause of insulin secretion problems in type-2 diabetes. The defect leads to slowed arrival of new insulin-containing vesicles at the cell membrane, resulting in insufficient insulin release.

SourceUppsala University·JournalCell Metabolism·DateFeb 6, 2018

Can an insulin pill delay or prevent type 1 diabetes?

A daily insulin pill did not slow down or prevent type 1 diabetes development among individuals with a higher risk of developing the disease. The trial involved 560 participants who received either oral insulin or a placebo, and found that time to diagnosis was not significantly different between groups.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateNov 21, 2017

New study on reasons for low rates of blood glucose monitoring in type 2 diabetes in China

A Chinese study found very low rates of blood glucose monitoring among nearly 19,000 patients with type 2 diabetes before and after initiating basal insulin treatment. The data showed an increase in mean SMBG frequency after 6 months, but the percentage of patients who never monitored their blood glucose remained high.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalDiabetes Technology & Therapeutics·DateSep 21, 2017

A new approach to high insulin levels

Congenital hyperinsulinism is caused by a genetic mutation that leads to permanent activation of the GDH protein, resulting in excessive insulin production. This triggers chronic hypoglycaemia, brain damage, and intellectual retardation. A new study may pave the way for novel therapies, including a drug that inhibits the GDH accelerator.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalHuman Molecular Genetics·DateSep 18, 2017

Diabetes patients still produce insulin

A recent study published in Diabetes Care found that almost half of patients with type 1 diabetes for over ten years still produce some insulin. Higher levels of interleukin-35 were detected in these patients, suggesting a link between this protein and the regeneration of remaining insulin-producing cells.

SourceUppsala University·JournalDiabetes Care·DateJun 22, 2017

A small group of neurons modulates the amount of insulin that the pancreas must produce

Researchers discovered that a small group of hypothalamus neurons, called POMC, modulate the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas. The study reveals new molecular mechanisms involved in this connection and highlights the importance of mitochondrial dynamics in glucose sensing and insulin release control.