Diabetes

• what is type 1

  insulin cannot be produced by β cells

  • cause not known, but likely to arise as result of autoimmune response in which the immune system attacks the β cells
  • usually developed and diagnosed in childhood, with symptoms developing quickly
• what is type 2


  the insulin produced cannot be effectively used to control blood glucose concentrations

  • the β cells do not produce insulin
  • or the body cells do not respond properly to insulin, usually because the glycoprotein receptor is not working properly
  • cells then lose responsiveness to insulin, so do not take up enough glucose
  • symptoms are similar to type 1, but develop slower
• treatment of type 1


  • regular insulin injections, so is insulin dependent
  • blood glucose has to be regularly monitored
  • continual glucose monitor
  • insulin pens and pumps
• what is hypoglycaemia 


  when too much insulin is injected, so blood glucose concentration is too low
• what is hyperglycaemia


  when blood glucose concentration is too high, which may be fatal if untreated
• treatment of type 2


  • lifestyle changes encouraged
  • control of carbohydrate intake through diet and exercise
  • medicines that stimulate insulin production, slow down glucose absorption in intestine, may be offered - metformin
  • insulin injections offered as last resort
• medically produced insulin


  • originally obtained from cows and pigs, which had been slaughtered for food - this was difficult and expensive, may cause allergic reactions
  • can be made by genetically modified bacteria
• benefits of genetically modified bacterial human insulin


  • pure form - less likely to cause allergic reactions
  • produced in much higher quantities
  • cheaper
  • ethics are no longer an issue
• potential uses of stem cells as treatment


  • pancreas transplants are available, but demand outweighs availability, and require immunosuppressants
  • β cell transplants have been unsuccessful, also require immunosuppressants, which eventually exhausts their insulin production
  • treatment requires embryonic stem cells, which destroys the embryo
• benefits of stem cell treatment

  • donor availability not an issue
  • rejection less likely
  • no longer have to inject insulin