A groundbreaking study suggests a major leap forward in diabetes treatment, offering hope to the approximately 75 million people worldwide who inject insulin daily.
Researchers have developed an innovative ‘smart’ insulin that can be taken orally, either as a capsule or even within a piece of chocolate.
Nano-Carriers: The Game-Changer
Published in Nature Nanotechnology, this study showcases the use of tiny nano-carriers to encapsulate insulin. These particles are incredibly small, 1/10,000th the width of a human hair, and designed to protect insulin from breaking down in the stomach.
Professor Peter McCourt from UiT Norway’s Arctic University, a key researcher in this study, explains the precision of this method.
Unlike syringes, which distribute insulin throughout the body potentially causing side effects, this new approach targets the liver, releasing insulin exactly where it’s needed.
How It Works
The oral insulin is coated to survive the journey through the digestive system. Once in the liver, this coating is broken down only when blood sugar levels are high, releasing insulin to lower blood sugar levels.
This smart release mechanism mimics the natural insulin process in healthy individuals and significantly reduces the risk of hypoglycemia, a common concern with current insulin treatments.
Clinical Testing: From Nematodes to Baboons
This promising method has been successfully tested on nematodes, mice, rats, and baboons. Notably, in baboons at the National Baboon Colony in Australia, the insulin, disguised in sugar-free chocolate, effectively lowered blood sugar without causing hypoglycemia or other common side effects.
Looking Ahead: Human Trials and Availability
Human trials are expected to begin in 2025 under the guidance of Endo Axiom Pty Ltd., with a focus on safety and the incidence of hypoglycemia in both healthy and type 1 diabetic patients.
The initial phase will confirm safety for human use, followed by subsequent trials to explore its potential to replace traditional insulin injections.
Researchers are optimistic that this novel form of insulin, which also doesn’t require refrigeration, could be available for widespread use within the next 2–3 years.
Implications for Diabetes Management
This development represents a significant step in diabetes care, potentially making insulin therapy more effective, convenient, and less invasive.
It promises a new era of treatment where managing diabetes could be as simple as taking a daily pill or a piece of chocolate, significantly improving the quality of life for millions of people.
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The research findings can be found in Nature Nanotechnology.
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