Diabetes Pill Could Replace Insulin Injections
Sufferers of diabetes may soon be able to replace the familiar daily routine of injections with a pill to stabilise their condition, according to new research. Information released by UK firm Diabetology states that it, in tandem with scientists at Cardiff University, has cured a problem inherent to oral insulin at present. Their capsule features a special coating, which, immune to the stomach acids it passes through, reaches the small intestine intact, where it can then be absorbed. In a presentation, to be made at a future date to the American Diabetes Association, the researchers involved, including Dr Steve Luzio, will present the results of an initial trial, in which 16 patients were assessed.
While the details of this presentation cannot be covered until after the event, it is expected that it will cover how the oral medication, designed to be taken twice a day, successfully stabilises levels of glucose within those with type 2 diabetes.
The news has been received favourably by the organisation Diabetes UK; however, it has stressed that it is still early days. Its Research Manager, Dr Iain Frame, states: "There are currently 700,000 people in the UK who take insulin injections, sometimes up to four times a day, so being able to take their insulin orally would have a great impact on their quality of life. This research, however, is still in its early stages. We would like to see further results."
Within the Pharmaceutical Sector, scientists elsewhere have also assessed ways in which insulin can be taken orally, but without it subsequently breaking down at stomach level. In Taiwan, research there links this to a chemical located within the shells of shrimps, which, investigators there say, offers protection. Currently, diabetes sufferers do have an option to inhale insulin, if individual subjects have a confirmed needle phobia, or great difficulty in injecting themselves.
Of the main varieties of Diabetes, those with Type 1 are reliant on insulin. By contrast, Type 2 sufferers - the majority of diabetics - can often control their condition on the basis of diet alone.
Source - Pharmaceutical International Newsdesk
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