Smart insulin to control blood sugar level

Source: This post on Smart insulin to control blood sugar level has been created based on the article “How ‘smart insulin’ promises to revolutionise diabetes treatment” published in Indian Express on 18th October 2024.

Why in news?

Recently, an international team of scientists from Denmark, the UK, Czechia, and the University of Bristol has engineered a “smart” insulin called NNC2215 that responds automatically to blood sugar changes.

How It Works:

i) NNC2215 consists of a ring-shaped structure and a glucoside molecule. The glucoside binds to the ring when low blood glucose, keeping the insulin inactive.

ii) As glucose levels rise, glucose replaces the glucoside, activating the insulin to lower blood sugar.

Potential Benefits

Easier Management: This smart insulin could simplify blood sugar management, reducing the need for constant monitoring and improving the quality of life for millions of people dependent on insulin therapy.

Effectiveness in Studies: NNC2215 has shown to be as effective as human insulin in controlling blood glucose in animal tests (rats and pigs), and human trials are expected soon.

Challenges in Insulin Management

Constant Monitoring: Patients with diabetes need to continuously monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust insulin doses, as blood glucose levels fluctuate throughout the day.

Risk of Overdosing: Overdosing on insulin can cause blood glucose levels to drop dangerously low, which can be life-threatening.

Current Limitations and Future Improvements

Abrupt Activation: One limitation of NNC2215 is that it activates only after a significant spike in glucose, leading to a sudden insulin release.

Ongoing Refinement: Scientists are working to improve the insulin molecule so that it activates more gradually, allowing insulin levels to rise slowly for better glucose control.

Current Insulin Therapies

Traditional Methods: Insulin therapies involve administering synthetic insulin, but keeping blood sugar levels stable remains a challenge.

Glucose-Sensitive Insulin: Some advanced therapies rely on insulin being stored in the body and released based on glucose levels detected by sensors.

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