First steps to taking insulin by mouth

2001/10/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Medikuntza

Currently, diabetics should take insulin by injection, as the stomach does not accept insulin. However, if the method being developed by chemical engineers at Purdue University advances, it is possible that insulin can be taken with a pill from now on.

Insulin cannot be taken without more because heartburn destroys it. To address this problem, engineers have invented microscopic particles that protect the tablets from the acid medium. In this way, the pill can reach the abdomen without suffering damage.

In the lower acidity part of the small intestine, the particles expand and some chemicals protect them from abdominal enzymes. They remain protected until insulin is released and it reaches the blood. Once the medicine is released, microscopic particles are removed by the digestive system.