Diabetes breakthrough as scientists discover rare game-changing insulin

[Jodee]

There is a heading I came across today "Diabetes breakthrough as scientists discover rare game-changing insulin" Its for Type 1 - I note the online papers are requiring payment to view now, but its possible to find same heading for on line for free somewhere.

Express & Mirror say; 11 Aug 2024 — Scientists have reportedly developed a new insulin that could possibly revolutionise the treatment for millions with type one diabetes ...

Australia news say: This is dated May 2024 so may have been mentioned previously.
An international team, led by researchers from Australia, have developed a system using nanotechnology that could allow people with diabetes to take oral insulin in the future. The researchers say the new insulin could be eaten by taking a tablet or even embedded within a piece of chocolate.2 May 2024


The University of Sydney
https://www.sydney.edu.au › news › 2024/05/02 › nanot...

Nanotech opens door to future of insulin medication

 

[helli]

I am always intrigued by the idea of insulin in tablet form.
Because I don’t understand how it would work for someone who carb counts (which is the majority of people with Type 1) and adjusts their insulin accordingly. I picture something akin to the old fashioned scales where you would need a 4 unit pill, a 2 unit pill and a half unit pill for 6.5 units (which, is a large bolus for me).
The only way this would work (in my limited mind) would be if this was the smart insulin that only started working when needed.
Otherwise, I would rather inject. I know there are people with needle phobias who may prefer this but I also know people who cannot swallow tablets.

It feels like this is addressing the wrong problem, just like the basal which can be taken once a week but you still need a bolus every time you eat.

 

[Inka]

I think it might be these @helli

Early research shows glucose-responsive insulin tablets are safe and effective in animals | Breakthrough T1D UK

Researchers have developed an oral insulin that travels in an inactive state to the liver and is only activated by rising blood glucose levels.

jdrf.org.uk

It doesn’t appeal to me at all. Another money-making scheme IMO. Even though I have a needle phobia, injections are so far down the list of bad things about Type 1, I’m happy to continue with them.

 

[Jodee]

I think it might be these @helli

Early research shows glucose-responsive insulin tablets are safe and effective in animals | Breakthrough T1D UK

Researchers have developed an oral insulin that travels in an inactive state to the liver and is only activated by rising blood glucose levels.

jdrf.org.uk

It doesn’t appeal to me at all. Another money-making scheme IMO. Even though I have a needle phobia, injections are so far down the list of bad things about Type 1, I’m happy to continue with them.

I read another headline Inka that said it has been introduced in NI so maybe they are going to be the guinea pigs in this.

 

[Jodee]

@helli
The information I did manage to read indicated there would be no need to carb count that the drug would mimic normal insulin production. Sounds miraculous

 

[Inka]

@helli
The information I did manage to read indicated there would be no need to carb count that the drug would mimic normal insulin production. Sounds miraculous

The JDRF link says it reacts to high blood sugar, but I don’t know if I’d trust it frankly, and what if I needed higher blood sugar to exercise?

 

[Merluza]

Insulin in chocolate sounds like the perfect solution.

The problem with oral insulin is, as I understand it, that insulin is a protein and so is easily digested in the stomach, along with the chocolate.

Good luck to these people and I hope they crack it someday.

 

[Amity Island]

what if I needed higher blood sugar to exercise?

I'd guess you'd do the same as for injected insulin. Delay tablet or miss tablet? Not sure if one could take a smaller dose than required with the tablets. Very interesting, perhaps a different way of management.