Oral Insulin? Maybe one day!

Diabetics could one day take their insulin in the form of a capsule rather than by injection after a trial in patients revealed promising results.
British-based company Diabetology said early trials in a small group of eight patients showed the insulin from the capsules could be successfully absorbed by the body. Charity Diabetes UK welcomed the results, but said further bigger trials were needed to make sure the capsules were as effective as possible.
The trial of eight male patients with Type 1 diabetes was carried out at Bradford Teaching Hospital and involved giving the patients the oral insulin called Capsulin. Their blood glucose and plasma insulin concentrations were then measured every 15 minutes for up to eight hours. Dr Donald Whitelaw, a consultant physician in diabetes and endocrinology at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "The opportunity to have insulin available in oral form has been a goal for researchers and people with diabetes for many years.
"This study has shown that Capsulin, studied here for the first time in people with Type 1 - insulin dependent - diabetes, produces an increase in plasma insulin while maintaining or even lowering blood glucose. "Capsulin therefore provides a means of delivering insulin via the gut in a form which is acceptable and easy to take. "Future studies will establish its suitability for use in everyday medical practice." Diabetology are now working on further trials of Capsulin in both patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
Taken from
Insulin capsule hopes for diabetics
18:44pm 15th November 2005
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