Indiana University School of Medicine researchers have developed a promising lab-designed ‘smart insulin’ that can regulate blood glucose levels by mimicking natural hormones. This innovation could significantly ease the burden of managing Type 1 diabetes.
In a promising development for people with Type 1 diabetes, researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine have made significant strides in the creation of a lab-designed protein that can adeptly regulate blood sugar levels. This innovative protein combines the actions of insulin and glucagon into one molecule, potentially transforming the way diabetes is treated.
The findings, published in ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science, showcased notable improvements in laboratory rats treated with this substance.
“For the past century, coping with hypoglycemia (the lows) has been an ever-present challenge in Type 1 diabetes,” Michael A. Weiss, a distinguished professor at IU School of Medicine who led the research, said in a news release. “This has made creating glucose-responsive insulins (smart insulins) a major goal.”
Insulin is a hormone that reduces blood sugar levels, whereas glucagon increases them. Individuals with Type 1 diabetes struggle to produce sufficient insulin because their immune systems target and destroy insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
As a result, these patients must frequently inject synthetic insulin to manage their blood sugar levels, a balancing act made more intricate by various factors such as diet, stress, hormones and physical activity.
Weiss and his team’s new protein works by mimicking the biological roles of insulin and glucagon, thereby signaling to the liver to adjust blood sugar levels as needed.
“Our approach simplifies such design by exploiting an endogenous ‘smart’ switch in the liver, how the body naturally adjusts relative hormonal responses based on whether the blood glucose level is high or low: Too high, insulin wins; too low, glucagon wins,” Weiss added.
Not only did the treatment show promise in initial tests, but the new form of insulin also remained stable for weeks without refrigeration before being opened. This stability could simplify the production and storage of insulin, which currently requires refrigeration and careful handling.
Despite the promising results, Weiss cautioned that the research is still in its early stages. Several steps remain before this hybrid medication can be made available to the public.
The researchers aim to develop two types of “smart insulin”: one designed for weekly injections and another for short-acting use in insulin pumps.