For more than 100 years, scientists have tried to develop insulin in pill form. The challenge is that the body breaks down the medicine before it has a chance to take effect.
Enzymes in the digestive system degrade insulin, and the intestines do not absorb it efficiently.
As a result, many people with diabetes still rely on daily injections, which can be a burden in everyday life, according to Science Daily.
Peptide
Researchers have developed a new method using a small molecule called a peptide. It can help insulin pass through the intestinal wall.
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They tested two approaches. In one, insulin was mixed with the peptide, which quickly lowered blood sugar levels in animal trials.
In the other, the peptide was directly bound to the insulin, producing the same effect.
Both methods showed stable results with daily use over several days, according to the study published in Molecular Pharmaceutics.
Future treatment
A major problem in the past has been that pills required very high doses.
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The new method uses lower amounts and achieves up to around 40 percent of the effect compared with injections.
Researchers are now continuing to test the method in larger trials.
The results suggest that insulin in pill form could become a future option and potentially replace daily injections.
Sources: Science Daily and Molecular Pharmaceutics.
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