Summary
Researchers at Indiana University have developed a new "smart insulin" that can help manage blood glucose levels in people with type 1 diabetes. This new insulin combines insulin and glucagon, offering a potentially more effective treatment option for managing blood sugar levels.
Key Facts
- Smart insulin is a new treatment option for type 1 diabetes.
- It combines insulin and glucagon into one molecule.
- About 2 million Americans have type 1 diabetes, including 304,000 children.
- Type 1 diabetes patients need insulin because their bodies do not produce enough naturally.
- The smart insulin switches roles depending on blood sugar levels: insulin acts when levels are high, glucagon when levels are low.
- This new insulin aims to be stable without refrigeration before use.
- Researchers saw positive results in rats, but more studies are needed before it can be used by humans.
- The goal is to develop one weekly injection type and another for use with insulin pumps.
