Oral insulin test to prevent type 1 diabetes

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says researchers have begun conducting village-based research on oral insulin to help prevent or slow the development of type 1 diabetes in people at risk. this.

TrialNet Network of Type 1 Diabetes is a network funded by NIH, including researchers specializing in the study, prevention and treatment of type 1 diabetes. They are currently conducting research at More than 100 medical centers across the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia.

Dr. Jay Skyler of the University of Miami and head of research at TrialNet said: 'Our goal is to prevent or delay type 1 diabetes as long as possible. If we can make diabetes slow to develop even for a few years, those at risk will not face difficult challenges in controlling glucose and long-term complications. '

In this study, researchers will test whether taking one insulin pill each day may help prevent or delay diabetes in a group of people especially at risk of type 1 diabetes. A previous trial reported that oral insulin may delay diabetes for about four years in some people with autoimmune insulin disorders in the blood.

Animal studies suggest that taking insulin by mouth can help prevent diabetes . Some scientists believe that putting insulin into the body through the gastrointestinal tract will result in tolerance or suppression of the immune system. Oral insulin has no side effects because the digestive system will quickly decompose it. To lower blood sugar, people must inject insulin or use an insulin pump.

Therapy using insulin pumps (Photo: ianblumer.com)

In type 1 diabetes, the body's own immune cells destroy the beta cells of the pancreas. These beta cells are responsible for sensing blood sugar levels and producing insulin hormones to regulate glucose and turn glucose into energy. The immune system's attack on beta cells begins before people develop diabetes and lasts until after the disease is diagnosed. In the early stages of autoimmune processes - 10 years before the onset of diabetes symptoms - there may be antibodies in the blood. Autoimmune disorders for glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), IA-2, and insulin show a risk of developing type 1 diabetes. Anyone who has high-risk genes and has all three antibodies The risk of developing diabetes over the next five years is more than 50%.

The first and second-class relatives of people with type 1 diabetes may be at risk and are being tested in TrialNet's medical history study. This study will examine immunological and metabolic problems before the clinical symptoms of diabetes. To test, people perform a simple blood test to find antibodies that indicate a risk of diabetes. People enrolled in the medical history study will be closely monitored for diabetes development and may be eligible to participate in oral insulin testing or research studies. save later to prevent autoimmune processes.

Research for new people with clinical symptoms of the disease

TrialNet's research also aims to preserve insulin production in people newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. In the few months after being diagnosed with the disease, most patients still have Concrete cells are still active and, with the help of insulin injections, these cells will contribute to good blood sugar control. If it is possible to protect the beta cells, many patients will be able to control blood sugar more closely, and this will help prevent or slow the development of eye, nerve, and kidney damage. , heart and blood vessels.

A study by TrialNet is trying to suppress the immune system's attack on beta cells with Rutiximab, a monoclonal antibody that binds to a group of immune cells. Characteristic translation and temporarily destroy them. This drug testing group is currently selecting patients with type 1 diabetes who have had clinical symptoms in the past three months. Rutiximab has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat moderate and severe forms of lymphoma and rheumatoid arthritis, but it is not approved for use in the room. prevention of type 1 diabetes.

Another study is also being done to test whether mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or MMF and daclizumab (DZB), drugs approved by the FDA to prevent rejection after organ transplantation, is available. Can I slow down or prevent the autoimmune disease of type 1 diabetes? The team selected a sufficient number of patients needed for this trial.

Research for infants with risk of type 1 diabetes

The NIP-based nutritional intervention trial (NIP) is a pilot study of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acid that may help preventing the development of autoimmune processes leading to diabetes type 1. This study is being done on:

- Children under five months of age are people in the same family as people with diabetes.

- Pregnant mothers in the third trimester of pregnancy with the fetus are at risk for type 1 diabetes and this risk is caused by the mother herself with diabetes or by a relative in the same family .

About 5-10% of the approximately 21 million diabetic patients with type 1 diabetes have previously been referred to as juvenile onset diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes. Type 1 diabetes tends to increase in children and adolescents but also adults with this disease. Patients should be given insulin injections three or more times a day or treated with an insulin pump to maintain blood sugar control. To prevent complications, they need to monitor their blood sugar regularly and try to make sure that the blood sugar value is as close to normal as possible. The constant challenge for them is to control the disease and this is a big burden for the sick and their families.

Studies of TrialNet network of type 1 diabetes funded by the National Institute of Diabetes. Digestion and kidney, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and National Institute of Allergy and Infections, all directly under the NIH. The International Fund for Diabetes Research in Adolescents and the American Diabetes Association also supports the initiative on this study.

Hong Linh