By Jude Roberts
Insulin Pill - believe it or not, the discovery of a
new polymer substance may allow for the development of
an effective insulin pill. When the polymer is used to
coat a pill, it allows insulin to get into the
bloodstream without being destroyed by the digestive
system. So far, it has only been tested in animals, and
some experts are questioning whether insulin in a pill
form would prove to be safe or useful, since dosing
requirements are is so critical and vary so often.
Continuous Monitoring Device - The FDA has approved a
wristwatch-like device that provides more information for
managing diabetes. It is intended to be used along with, but not
as a replacement for, the fingertip blood test to monitor
glucose, in order to ensure accurate results. Called the
GlucoWatch Biographer, it works by extracting fluid through the
skin by sending out tiny electric currents. The watch can be
worn up to 12 consecutive hours, producing 3 monitor readings
every hour, even while you’re asleep. An alarm will sound if
blood glucose levels are detected to be dangerously low, or if a
measurement was skipped. The watch can detect the presence of
both by excessive sweat. The device is available only by
prescription to detect trends and track patterns in glucose
levels in adults age 18 and older.
Islet Cell Transplant - this new treatment comes from a
technique known as an islet cell transplant which has shown
promise in people with type 1 diabetes. Islet cells are found in
the pancreas, and the procedure, called the Edmonton technique,
has resulted in seven patients becoming insulin free for up to
14 months after treatment. Clinical trials have now begun at 10
national diabetes centers to see if the insulin reversal can be
successful with more patients. The Edmonton technique uses islet
cells from two or more donor pancreases. The cells are
transplanted into a person with diabetes and then special
medications are given to prevent rejection of the new islet
cells. One difficulty with the transplant is that even though a
person may become free of the need to take insulin, the
medications to prevent rejection of new tissue must be taken for
a lifetime, and these medications can have side effects.
Gene Therapy - recent reports show that research into gene
therapy for different aspects of diabetes is beginning to show
some promise. Scientists have identified a gene called SHIP2
that appears to regulate insulin, which would make SHIP2 a
potential gene therapy target for the treatment of type 2
diabetes aimed at improving the individual’s insulin regulation.
There’s also a protein that blocks the overgrowth of blood
vessels in the eyes which is being studied as a possible
form of gene therapy for diabetic retinopathy, and it may also
be used to treat macular degeneration.
A Possible Vaccine Against Diabetes? - scientists have
developed the world’s first drug that stops the destruction of
pancreatic beta cells in humans. It offers the possibility of
preventing type 1 diabetes in people at high risk and of halting
its progress in people newly diagnosed with it. The vaccine
contains a drug which is a peptide (a type of protein). By
modifying a small portion of the protein, a drug has been
created which can selectively block the activity of immune cells
which tend to attack the pancreas. In other words, the drug or
“vaccine” deactivates the cells which attack the pancreas
without interfering with the rest of the body’s immune system.
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