Injectable Nanoparticles Maintain Normal Blood-sugar Levels For Up To 10 Days 121
cylonlover writes "Aside from the inconvenience of injecting insulin multiple times a day, type 1 diabetics also face health risks if the dosage level isn't accurate. A new approach developed by U.S. researchers has the potential to overcome both of these problems. The method relies on a network of nanoscale particles that, once injected into the body, can maintain normal blood sugar levels for more than a week by releasing insulin when blood-sugar levels rise."
Re:and if the GOP gets there way any one on this (Score:4, Informative)
Assuming the GOP doesn't manage to repeal Obamacare (which it doesn't seem likely they'll be able to), preexisting conditions will no longer be excludable [wikipedia.org] starting 8 months from now.
Tested in mice only! (Score:5, Informative)
This is a neat idea, but not yet remotely ready to try in people. There were quite significant local infammatory reactions (big lumps!) in some of the mice tested.
There's probably ten years of work, and well north of $150 million dollars before the first human tests.
Good luck!
Re:Preemptively Posting (Score:5, Informative)
As a T1D, I'll note that the GP didn't really comment on what it means to be a T2D. The characterization, however, is mostly true for an overwhelming majority of t2d, but completely false for t1d. T2D is controllable with diet and exercise alone in something like 80-90% of the T2D population. Weight and lifestyle factors make up an overwhelming percentage of the risk factors. And while there is clearly a genetic (usually associated with the likelihood that weight/lifestyle will give way to t2d, not that the genetics alone cause t2d) and medical condition component too, this is the clear minority.
Re:Preemptively Posting (Score:4, Informative)
I developed type 2 after contracting pancreatitis due to complications associated with surgery to remove gall stones ( actually it was a second surgery to clear remnants of grit from the passage that ends at the bottom of the stomach). At the time I was 22 years old, 90 KG (about 198 pounds) and I am five foot nine. I am overwieght now but that is down to what diabetes has done to my metabolism. People shouldn't make assumptions about someones situation. Just because they are fat doesn't mean that's what cause their type 2 diabetes.
Forgive me for the crudity of my medical terminology, I am not a medical student.