This sensor can help detect the early stages of diabetes

Early detection of diabetes could become possible thanks to a new sensor developed by Indian scientists to detect low levels of Retinol Binding Protein 4 (RBP4), a biomarker of early diabetes.

Biomarkers are usually present in extremely low concentrations in the blood serum, but they can indicate a very early stage of the disease or can predict the possibility of its development even before its appearance. Currently, the detection of diabetes at an early stage is difficult because the symptoms appear only in the advanced stages of the disease.

Adipose tissue secretes adipokines, a communication molecule that regulates glucose and lipids in the body. In obese people, adipokines are not secreted properly, which often leads to type 2 diabetes. "Retinol-4 binding protein (RBP4), an adipokine, is one of the biomarkers of type 2 diabetes. 2. Many groups around the world are trying to understand various fundamental aspects of these miracle proteins, "said Divesh Srivastava, a scientist at the CSIR-Institute for Research on Minerals and the Sea (CSMCRI) who took part in the meeting. 'study.

Currently available methods for detecting this protein require sophisticated and expensive instruments, but they can not detect low levels of this protein.

The researchers used a graphite electrode and polymethacrylate coated with a thin layer of gold. The gold layer increases the conductivity of the electrode and helps to increase the binding of antibodies to its surface. The anti-RBP 4 antibodies were then immobilized on its surface. Subsequent studies have shown that the electrode is sensitive to a wide range of RBP 4 concentrations and can detect extremely low protein levels in the serum (as low as 0.1 picogram per milliliter). This method is superior to all previously developed detection methods. RBP 4.

However, the researchers said more studies were needed before the sensor could be used commercially.

The research team includes Anirban Paul, Divesh N Srivastava (Central Research Institute for Salts and Chemicals of the Sea) and Maria Serena Chiriacòc, Elisabetta Primiceri and Giuseppe Maruccioc (Nanotechnology Institute CNR NANOTEC, Italy). The study was published in the journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics.