Diabetics, who are dependent on insulin to control their blood sugar levels, often find it irritating to prick themselves daily. But these days of pain might be over soon.
A team of scientists at the National Institute of Immunology, India led by its Director Avadhesha Surolia, have developed a technique by which it may be possible for patients to take a shot of insulin just once every four to five months.
The team achieved this without the use of any chemical additives or a device such as a pump or a patch. Their technique primarily involved getting individual molecules of insulin to come together and form multi-molecular complexes, which slowly un-fold & yield insulin.
Dr. Surolia said that trials with mice and rabbit models had shown that a single dose was enough to maintain a basal level of insulin in their system for more than 120 days.
The technology has been transferred to a US based company, which is going to starts the tests soon.
Source: The Hindu newspaper, pointed out by Mr. Faisal Ahmed.
