Delhi: Good news for diabetics! Soon, insulin that is not required to be kept in the refrigerator will be available.
The decisive research has been carried out by two Kolkata-based researchers.
At present insulin is to be kept at a temperature of 4 degrees centigrade. If the temperature rises or if the insulin is kept without refrigeration for 12 hours, then it loses its potency. Diabetics face acute problems and inconvenience, especially during travel.
However, the insulin developed by the researchers with a new molecule can withstand 65 degrees centigrade heat. It can be used for months without being kept in the refrigerator.
The research was led by Bose Institute associate professor Dr Shubhramshu Chatterjee and Dr Partha Chakravarthy of CSIR's Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, both institutions are in Kolkata.
Along with the duo, Dr B Jagdish and Dr Jithender Reddy of CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology Hyderabad were associated with the research.
The research paper was published in an international science journal.
Since the next phase is human trials, the researchers have decided to approach the Department of Science and Technology.
The temporary name given to their research work is Insu-Lock.
Will insulin price come down?
Insulin is a hormone created by your pancreas that controls the amount of glucose in your bloodstream at any given moment. Synthetic insulin, which is laboratory-grown to mimic the insulin in humans, is administered to diabetics. However, the drug is costly.
“Since refrigeration facility (Cold Chain) is needed right from the production to the distribution level, the cost of insulin production is quite high. Insulin is manufactured only by three or four major companies.
As refrigeration or cold chain facilities are not required for Insu Lock, even smaller companies will be able to manufacture insulin. We anticipate that by way of this half of the cost can be reduced,” Dr Shubhramshu Chatterjee told Manorama.
Diabetes and Insulin
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.
Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation.
Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar.
