With the advancement of technology, genetic engineering has successfully transformed many medical fields, among which the improvement of insulin is an important achievement. Diabetic patients once faced many challenges in treatment, but through the application of genetic engineering technology, the problems that affect treatment effectiveness are becoming less and less.
Insulin is a key hormone responsible for the body's blood sugar control. With the development of genetic engineering, humans have been able to design a variety of insulin analogs, which can be absorbed more quickly by the human body after modification, thereby changing its decomposition and excretion characteristics and making it more effective under controlled conditions. Become more effective in terms of blood sugar.
These insulin analogs can be divided into two types: rapid-acting and long-acting. Rapid-acting insulin analogs can be injected before meals to prevent drastic changes in blood sugar, while long-acting insulin analogs can provide a steady basal insulin. level.
Rapid-acting insulin analogs can better meet the needs of diabetic patients before meals. For example, Insulin Lispro
was the first rapid-acting insulin approved by the FDA in 1996. Using recombinant DNA technology, researchers modified its gene to ensure that insulin is absorbed more quickly by the body.
Similarly, Insulin Aspart
is another option that is quickly entering the market. It has been genetically modified to have faster bioavailability than natural human insulin and is suitable for patients who need to quickly control blood sugar before meals.
The working principle of Insulin Glulisine
is similar to that of insulin. Its rapid action is intended to accelerate post-meal blood sugar control, allowing patients to quickly adjust their blood sugar levels after a meal.
Long-acting insulins such as Insulin Detemir
and Insulin Degludec
provide steadier basal levels of insulin throughout the day than their rapid-acting analogs. The characteristics of these long-acting analogs are that they have undergone structural changes through genetic engineering, which enables their sustained release in the body to meet the needs of patients in different situations.
The invention of long-acting insulin not only shortens the frequency of daily acupuncture for diabetic patients, but also more effectively supports their insulin needs at night.
Multiple studies have shown that the use of these insulin analogs can stabilize patients' blood sugar control and reduce the risk of severe hypoglycemia. According to a Cochrane Collaboration study, Insulin Glargine
and Insulin Detemir
performed similarly to traditional NPH insulin in terms of blood sugar control, but with a lower incidence of hypoglycemia.
Through these technological advances, diabetic patients now have access to relatively safer and more effective treatment options, all thanks to the development of genetic engineering.
Although these new insulin analogs are widely used in clinical practice, further research is still needed on their long-term effects and safety. After all, genetically modified insulin analogs involve more than just improved efficacy; they may also carry potential risks.
With further developments in genetic technology, we can expect more improved insulin analogs to be launched on the market in the future. This will make the management of diabetes easier and more effective, changing the lives of countless patients.
Ultimately, will humanity's mastery of genetic engineering lead to entirely new solutions for the treatment of diabetes?