Scientists have identified a compound that mimics the effects of insulin in mice, offering hope for a pill-based treatment for diabetes. The new substance, L-783,281, is a nonpeptide molecule that can be absorbed through the bloodstream after being swallowed, potentially providing an alternative to insulin injections.
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateMay 7, 1999
A new study reveals that adult-onset diabetics may be suffering from an 'imbalancing act' caused by a key enzyme called PFK, which regulates glucose metabolism. The researchers found that mice with abnormally high levels of the PFK-L sub-unit developed symptoms of Type II diabetes.
SourceAmerican Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science·JournalDiabetes·DateOct 15, 1997
Researchers at Purdue University have developed an oral delivery method for insulin that may eventually treat human diabetes. The method uses a gel-like material to protect insulin from stomach enzymes, allowing it to release the drug in a location where it can work.
A new oral vaccine approach is being developed to protect pancreatic cells and prevent the autoimmune disease type I diabetes. Early trials have shown promising results using a combination of insulin and cholera toxin.
SourceFrench National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 18, 1997
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A graduate student at Purdue University has developed a gel-like material that expands and contracts in response to changes in acidity, mimicking the natural response of the body. The gel could be used as a 'molecular gate' to deliver insulin in real-time, responding to glucose levels.
Researchers at Duke University found that pre-treating insulin-producing pancreatic islet cells with glutathione preserves their ability to regulate sugar levels. This advance could overcome a major hurdle in the transplantation of islet cells into humans as a treatment for diabetes.
Brown University researchers have developed a novel oral drug delivery system using erodible plastic microspheres that can improve the efficacy of drugs like insulin. The microspheres, engineered with bioadhesive polymers, increase absorption rates and enhance therapeutic effects.
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Researchers studied 171 hospital patients with diabetes mellitus and found that sliding scale insulin regimens provided no benefit. Patients on standing regimens fared better than those on sliding scale regimens, which tripled the risk of hyperglycemia when used alone.
A year-long study found that implantable insulin pumps effectively controlled blood glucose levels, reduced fluctuations in blood glucose, and mild hypoglycemia by 68% compared to daily injections. The pump also eliminated weight gain associated with injections and improved patients' quality of life.
UT Southwestern Medical Center is part of a nationwide clinical study to test an oral insulin capsule on people at moderate risk for developing type I diabetes. The study aims to determine if the intervention can prevent or delay the disease.