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Researchers at the Mbadachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a capsule containing insulin that, when ingested orally, releases the substance into the stomach. After years of study, type 1 diabetics are about to replace daily injections. The results were published by Science.
"We really hope that this new type of capsule will help diabetic patients and perhaps those who need treatments that can only be administered."
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by injection, "said Robert Langer, a professor at the David H. Koch Institute and a member of MIT.
Diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce insulin – a hormone that controls blood glucose and provides energy to the body – or when the body can no longer use the insulin it produces. To remedy this, injections of the substance are administered in the abdomen.
"Diabetes 1, different from type 2, has an absolute deficiency of insulin," says endocrinologist Renato Zilli, of the São Paulo Hospital São Paulo Hospital.
"Thus, the person ends up taking 5 to 7 needle bites a day. The main problem we face in treating the disease is to be absolutely sure of the dose. We must ensure that the product will be absorbed by the body. "
Having an insulin pill was a challenge for bioengineers.The inspiration for creation was found in the leopard tortoise. Animal, found in Africa, has a large steep hull, which allows it to bend down and reposition itself on the "back-roll".
At the beginning of the studies, scientists put a small amount: 300 micrograms of insulin.Over little by little, they were able to increase the dose to 5 milligrams, a quantity consistent with the need of a type 1 diabetic patient.
"The important is that we have a needle in contact with the tissue when injecting insulin, "says Alex Abramson. Graduate student of MIT and lead author of the research.
Tests were performed on rats and pigs. It takes more than a week for the capsules to move into the digestive tract, but the process does not cause any damage to animal tissues. The process was considered safe. Once the capsule has made its way, it pbades through the body of the person harmlessly – it is made of a biodegradable material and stainless steel components, completely eliminated in the stool.
"Oral delivery of drugs is a major challenge, especially for protein-based drugs.The motivation is immense, in many ways, to find other ways to distribute drugs without using a needle. for application, "said Samis Mitragotri, a professor at University of California, one of the involved in the subject.
In Brazil, between 2006 and 2016, the number of diabetics increased by 61.8% – the disease reached 8.9% of the population. The data come from the surveillance of risk factors and the protection of chronic diseases by telephone survey (Vigitel) of the Ministry of Health.
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