Diabetes Management and Biotechnology: Insulin, Pancreas Function, and Stem Cells

Type 1 Diabetes Treatment and Insulin Therapy

The symptoms of Type 1 diabetes are caused by a problem in the production of insulin. Treatment consists of delivering this hormone directly, which must be done daily to ensure continuous glucose regulation.

Glucose Regulation Mechanisms

The body has regulatory mechanisms that constantly control the balance between glucose and insulin levels. There is a hormone antagonistic to insulin, glucagon, also secreted by the pancreas, which acts when glucose levels are too low.

Monitoring Blood Glucose

Glucometers are used to measure glucose from a drop of blood.

Biotechnology in Diabetes Management

Recombinant Insulin

Recombinant human insulin is produced using genetically modified bacteria.

Stem Cell Research in Diabetes

Stem cells offer potential therapeutic avenues:

• Embryonic Stem Cells: These cells can transform into any of the approximately 200 cell types in the body. Their transformation into specific cells (e.g., heart cells, retinal epithelial cells, or pancreatic B cells) depends on chemical signals—substances that induce changes in gene expression or protein production.
• Adult Stem Cells: These cells are found scattered throughout different tissues in the body. They are responsible for naturally regenerating tissues that have been damaged.

The Pancreas: Dual Function

The pancreas is a vital organ with a dual role:

1. Exocrine Gland: Produces and secretes pancreatic juice for digestion.
2. Endocrine Gland: Produces hormones that regulate blood glucose concentration (blood sugar).

One of these crucial hormones is insulin. Normally, B cells located in the Islets of Langerhans secrete insulin in response to excessively high blood sugar levels.

Type 1 Diabetes: Autoimmune Origin

Type 1 diabetes is the most common chronic disease in childhood. While it may involve a genetic cause (inherited predisposition), the most common form has an autoimmune origin. The immune system, due to a dysfunction in certain genes, fails to recognize the B cells in the Islets of Langerhans and destroys them as if they were infectious microorganisms.

Type 2 Diabetes (Adult-Onset Diabetes)

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance: the cells ignore the insulin synthesized by the pancreas despite its presence. Management recommendations include:

• A diet low in carbohydrates.
• In more serious cases, administering drugs or injecting insulin to control blood glucose.

Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering

Diabetics currently benefit from the invaluable help of biotechnology techniques, specifically genetic engineering, also known as recombinant DNA technology.