New Developments in Diabetes Research Brings Hope to Diabetics
Diabetes News: New Developments In Diabetes Research Brings Hope To Diabetics
New developments by a team of researchers in Boston might lead to promising results for diabetes sufferers. According to an article in the Los Angeles Times, April 15, 2010, the scientists have developed an experimental artificial pancreas that overcomes the problem of dangerously low blood sugar caused by excessive insulin injections.
According to the article, this new device secretes both glucagon and insulin‚ and has been shown to control blood sugar levels in 11 people for at least 24 hours. Type 1 diabetes not only affects insulin secretion by the pancreas′ beta cells‚ but also affects the alpha cells that secrete glucagon to raise the level of sugar in the blood. Working together‚ the two hormones maintain blood sugar at more stable levels.
The research team developed a computer algorithm that responds to blood sugar changes and computes how much insulin or glucagon to inject. Another test on this device will take place with a larger group of patients who will use the devices for at least two days. One problem, however, that remains to be solved is the development of a stable solution of glucagon that can be used in the pump without decomposing.
