Khaberni - In a step that could change the lives of millions of diabetes patients, researchers from the Indiana University School of Medicine in the United States have successfully designed a hybrid molecule that combines the properties of the hormones insulin and glucagon.
This promising discovery, whose results were published in the journal ACS Pharmacology and Translational Science, aims to automatically regulate blood sugar according to the body's needs, without the risks of severe hypoglycemia, a long-awaited dream for diabetes patients.
◄ Natural balance between two hormones
Patients with Type 1 diabetes suffer from a lack of insulin production, the hormone responsible for lowering blood glucose levels. However, treatment with insulin alone carries a known risk of severe hypoglycemia, which can be fatal in some cases. Hence, the idea of combining insulin and glucagon into a single smart molecule.
It is noteworthy that "glucagon" is a hormone secreted by alpha cells in the pancreas, its primary function is to raise blood sugar levels by converting glycogen stored in the liver into glucose.
The research team explains their idea saying: "When blood sugar rises, insulin acts to lower it, and when it drops excessively, glucagon intervenes to raise it again. This natural balance is what we are trying to reproduce inside the body."
In this way, the hybrid protein offers a dual regulation mechanism, allowing the body to respond automatically to changes in blood sugar without the need for continuous intervention or the risk of sudden hypoglycemia.
◄ Promising results in initial trials
This "smart insulin" was tested on animal models of diabetic mice, where it showed significant effectiveness in improving blood sugar regulation throughout the day. Among its most notable advantages:
• The ability to stabilize at room temperature for weeks without the need for refrigeration, facilitating its transport and storage.
• The self-response to glucose levels without excessively lowering it.
• The possibility of developing two versions: a short-acting one used in insulin pumps, and another long-acting one administered weekly.
Researchers indicate that this development can significantly reduce the daily monitoring burden faced by patients, as they will not be forced to calculate accurate insulin doses with each meal or physical activity.
◄ A smarter therapeutic future
The scientists describe this approach as a new generation of smart insulin capable of "thinking" in a way similar to the human body.
One of the co-authors says: "Our approach simplifies the design of smart insulin, by utilizing a natural mechanism already present in the liver, instead of relying on complex devices or algorithms."
◄ Future prospects
While this treatment is still in the preclinical stage, experts believe it could revolutionize the management of Type 1 diabetes, which affects about eight million people worldwide, approximately 6% of all diabetes patients.
The team hopes that human clinical trials will begin in the coming years, potentially opening the door to a safer, smarter, and more suitable treatment for the daily lives of patients
