created: 29.09.2004
last modified: 29.09.2004
Even before that, in 1869 individual cells of the pancreas were described in a dissertation - but without knowing their purpose. They were named after their discoverer: 'islets of Langerhans.'
In 1922, in the U.S., the effect of insulin was tested on humans for the first time. The patient was a 12-year-old boy who was sick to death with type-1 diabetes and got better quickly after the treatment. Today insulin is a substance that allows type-1 diabetics to feel completely free and healthy in their jobs and private life.
What exactly is insulin?
Insulin is a hormone, which consists of 51 amino acids altogether. Diabetics can't use it orally, like other medications, because it's a protein. That means the stomach's digestive liquids would split it up and foil the effect. That's the reason why insulin needs to be injected. The fat tissue of the deeper skin of the abdomen or the thigh is where insulin is mostly injected. From there, insulin reaches the vascular system and increases the glucose absorption of the cells.
Human insulin
Until 1981 insulin could be reproduced from the pancreas of pigs or cows only. For a few years now, it is possible to produce human insulin. The biochemical procedure "changes" the structure of the porcine insulin, which is only one element different from human insulin. Human insulin can also be genetically reproduced. That means "programmed" bacteria are able to produce human insulin.
Will there be an "insulin pill"?
The researches concerning the "insulin pill" are promising. An international team of scientists discovered a substance in the rainforests of the Congo that possibly could work as an "insulin pill": it is the extract of a fungus.
Yet, the "insulin pill" is nothing but wishful thinking. But many new ways of research and their results enable us to hope for new sorts of remedy. Then many things could turn out a whole lot easier for diabetics.
