Insulin Therapy

Daniela Hrizo, 6/29/24

Background

In 1889, Oskar Minkowski and Joseph von Mering realized that when the pancreatic gland was removed from dogs, they would exhibit symptoms of diabetes and die soon afterward. This was elaborated upon in 1910 when Sir Edward Albert Sharpey-Shafer theorized that people with diabetes are missing a chemical in the pancreas, which he called insulin. 

Finally, in 1921, surgeon Frederick Banting and his assistant Charles Best managed to extract insulin from the pancreas of a dog. With this method, they were able to treat a dog with severe diabetes and prolong his life by 70 days until there was no more extract left. They continued to refine this solution and developed a pure version from the pancreas of cattle. 

In 1922, Leonard Thompson, a 14-year-old boy in Toronto with diabetes was the first person to receive an injection of insulin, and it was successful. Over time, insulin boomed with popularity, but some people developed allergic reactions to insulin because it was derived from the pancreas of cattle and pigs. 

Therefore, scientists set a mission to create synthetic insulin that would prevent this issue and make insulin more efficient.  In 1978, the first synthetic “human” insulin was produced by using E. coli bacteria. In 1982, it was sold commercially as the first biosynthetic human insulin (brand name Humulin).

All information is derived from the American Diabetes Association.

Intro to Diabetes

Insulin therapy is used to treat individuals with diabetes. However, there are two types: Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes: This is an autoimmune disease that is commonly caused by genetics. The immune system is known to fight off foreign entities in the body like bacteria and viruses. However, in Type 1 Diabetes, the immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, thinking that they are a threat or foreign. Therefore, the body cannot produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that acts like a key: it allows glucose to enter the cells. In this case, the body can’t produce these keys, so glucose can’t get into cells and builds up outside of them and dangerously raises blood sugar.

Type 2 Diabetes: This disease generally develops over time and is thought to be correlated to obesity, lifestyle factors (e.g. being inactive), and more. People with Type 2 Diabetes can produce insulin, but their bodies cannot use it effectively thus making them insulin-resistant. Therefore, instead of not having a key, the key is broken. Either way, glucose cannot get into cells and builds up in the bloodstream which ultimately raises blood sugar.

For people with Type 1 Diabetes (where the body simply doesn’t have insulin), insulin therapy is typically the best solution because they can still use the insulin well. Since people with Type 2 Diabetes struggle with using insulin, insulin therapy may be an answer but changing diet and lifestyle is much highly advised.

All information is derived from Healthline.

Insulin Therapy Basics

Insulin Therapy is a type of treatment that it modified for each individual’s needs. Insulin injections include using a syringe and needle, an insulin delivery pen, or even an insulin pump. These instruments are tailored to the patient and depend on their plan (via physician consultation). 

The 5 types of insulin are:

• rapid-acting insulin

• short-acting insulin

• intermediate-acting insulin

• mixed insulin

• long-acting insulin

Typically, people need rapid and long acting insulin but combinations vary depending on prescription.

Doses vary as well. For example, people with Type 1 Diabetes may inject insulin up to 4-5 times a day, whereas only 50% people with Type 2 Diabetes have insulin injections within 6-10 years of diagnosis. This is because it is considered that insulin therapy is a necessity for those with Type 1 Diabetes, but most people that are first diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes typically start with a diet and lifestyle plan and don’t need insulin therapy immediately.

All information is derived from the Better Health Channel.

Conclusion

Insulin therapy is a life-saving solution to diabetes. Ever since its origins in 1889, it has been developed and refined to a reliable and commercially available treatment for many. Thanks to insulin therapy, millions of people with diabetes are leading longer and healthier lives.