Team developing oral insulin tablet sees breakthrough results in rats | Hacker News Reader

Team developing oral insulin tablet sees breakthrough results in rats

news.ubc.ca

74 pointselorant27 comments

Type-1 diabetic. I am not sure how much this will change the situation in the richer parts of the world, as tablets still seem inferior to me compared to pump deliver (my current method of choice). As pumps in terms of fast-acting (bolus) insulin will still allow for finer granularity delivery (tablets will come with fixed dosages and most likely never as small as say 0.1 units which is ~1/100 of the dosage I use for a “standard meal”), less delay between injection and effect as it does not pass through your digestive tract, and I suspect (not a medical doctor) that it may be more reliable in terms of uptake as your stomach uptake rate at least for carbohydrates depends on things like what you have eaten earlier during the day. Furthermore, pumps also allow for better control over your long-acting (basal) insulin rates which can be programmed or temporarily altered if you say skip a meal.

However, I still think this can mean a world of difference for those in less sanitary conditions, those who are uncomfortable with having a device attached to them at all times, and those in places where relying on a technology supply chain is not feasible. Heck! Even pump users need to have emergency insulin at hand in case our pumps break; I would take tablets any day over the complexity of injections.

> I am not sure how much this will change the situation in the richer parts of the world, as tablets still seem inferior to me compared to pump deliver (my current method of choice).

I'm not a diabetic, but is there really anything on the market even comparable to what the researchers here are suggesting, that is, dissolved (not swallowed) insulin pill delivery with performance equivalent to rapid-acting injection?

I tend to use between 1 insulin unit and 15 for meals. I don't want to take 15 little pills for that meal with more carbohydrates. What if I need 8 units of insulin for a meal? Do I need to take a 5 unit pill and three 1 unit pills? Too much work, no thanks, let me just take the little shot in all of 3 seconds in my tummy.

I live in Indonesia where the weather can exceed the safe storage temperature for insulin; it is a pain in the ass keeping my extra insulin cold when there's a power storage (unopened insulin needs to stay in the fridge until it's ready to use). So pills would be better than vials for this reason. In terms of every day convenience though, shots really aren't that bad after you've had enough. By a rough estimate, I've given myself over 25,000 shots in my life. That is a lot of used syringes and medical waste, but my point is, shots aren't that big of a deal for most diabetics.

Insulin pens[1] are very convenient. They fit in your pocket, and you just dial the dose, poke yourself, push the button, done. Aside from having to keep them cool, I have no motivation at all to switch to a less convenient system.

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTXzTDUf6rc

What a weak strawman, do you pinch yourself 15 times as well?

Funnily enough, if you don't like injections insulin can also be insufflated (inhaled) as a dry powder. Affreza[0] has been on the market for some time, but hasn't caught on. Pills/tablets are a more acceptable delivery mechanism for most people, but I can't help wonder if making insulin like a Goody's powder would be better. Instead of swallowing it just keep a powder next to your cheek and let it absorb into your system.

[0]: https://afrezza.com/

How does that affect your nasal passages and sinuses? Insufflating drugs generally causes serious problems. Do they have a solution to that?

It's an oral inhaler not a nasal inhaler.

TIL insufflation does not just refer to snorting.

Could non diabetics take this? Would it help with weight loss or mitigating a large sugar spike?

Dangerous, and would be of limited benefit. Being non-diabetic means your body makes enough. Taking insulin on top of that could easily drive you into unconsciousness and even death. Low blood sugar is NO JOKE.

If you're interested in this line of thinking, metformin is probably both more promising, as well as substantially cheaper and far safer - it basically increases your body's sensitivity to insulin, without actually mucking with production/regulation of same.

Doesn't berberine do something similar? Dhea too?

Dunno, I'm only a patient, not a doctor.

Insulin causes weight gain.

Some body builders take insulin to help build muscles!

I think, dont know, they used it so the body would absorb glucose right after a workout instead of breaking down muscle. But fat storage is part of that too. I suspect because they are using the energy that isnt a concern. But super dangerous and in most cases outside body building it leads to weight free gain. It is often difficult for type1 diabetics to lose weight and some go down another dangerous path of reducing their insulin without increasing their sensitivity.

> Team developing oral insulin tablet sees breakthrough results in rats

Team fixing the effect instead of the cause. Eat more sugar.

Because type 1 diabetics don't exist?

I wish I was one hundredth as optimistic as University press release drivel.

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