September 6, 2001 – On August 26, at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society, researchers from Purdue University presented an experimental product that could improve the quality of life of people with diabetes who inject insulin. . It is an acrylic-based gel intended to coat insulin tablets in order to improve absorption by the body.
Previous experiments had resulted in assimilation of only 1% of insulin by mouth, but Nicholas Peppas, professor of chemical and biomedical engineering, and Aaron Foss, a graduate student, were able to induce an absorption of 16% by administering these coated pills to diabetic rats. This is still a long way from the 50 to 80% assimilation rate of injectable insulin, but it is still a big step towards the development of a product that could save costly injections and sometimes painful for people with diabetes.
The coating developed by the two researchers is an acrylic-based gel that allows the tablets to survive the very acidic environment of the stomach: the insulin then reaches the small intestine and then slowly infiltrates the blood stream. An absorption rate of 16% may be enough to regulate patients’ blood sugar levels, but there is still a long way to go: the new product has only been tested on around 150 rats and dogs and on the market. could take up to 10 years. Everything will depend on discussions with pharmaceutical companies interested in continuing the research. This coating could also be used to replace certain injectable drugs used in the treatment of osteoporosis and cancer.
Purdue University patented the process, but more work is being done to improve the lives of people with diabetes. In fact, insulin, whatever the route of administration, does not allow the sugar level to be perfectly regulated. The result: significant complications for patients, such as kidney and vision problems. The way of the future seems to be the transplant of insulin-producing cells (Islets of Langerhans), but this approach is still experimental.
Françoise Ruby – PasseportSanté.net
According to Associated Press, August 27, 2001
