Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes Mellitus

1. A condition where the body can't produce enough insulin to control the blood glucose concentration

   • Hypoglycaemia
     • After a meal rich in carbohydrates + sugars
   • Hyperglycaemia
     • After exercising or fasting
   • TYPE 1
     • Causes
       • From childhood
         • Autoimmune response; immune system attacks and destroys beta cells
           • = Beta cells unable to produce insulin, so excess glucose cant be converted into glycogen (glycogenesis)
             • Prolonged high blood glucose concentration- hyperglycaemia
             • Also hypoglycaemia; no stored glycogen to be converted into glucose (glycogenolysis) -when blood glucose levels lower
     • Treatment
       • Insulin is injected
         • Blood glucose conc. must be monitored so the correct dosage of insulin is administered to keep levels relatively stable
         • Not taken in tablet form as this may be digested into amino acids!
       • Alternatives to injections
         • Insulin pump therapy- small device constantly pumps insulin into blood via. permanent needle inserted under skin
         • Pancreas transplant
         • Islet of Langerhans transplant; beta cells implanted into pancreas of type 1 sufferer
   • TYPE 2
     • Causes
       • Person can't produce enough insulin
         • As we age, we also become less responsive to insulin
           • Possibly because, the insulin receptors on liver, muscle + brain cells become less responsive to insulin, so it doesn't produce a response in the cell
             • Blood glucose conc. are almost permanently raised (hyperglycaemia), which can cause damage to major organs + circulation
       • Factors that bring on type 2
         • Obesity
         • Diets rich in sugars (especially refined sugars)
         • Lack of regular exercise
         • Being of Asian/Afro-carribean descent
         • Family history
     • Treatment
       • Lifestyle changes; regular exercise, lose weight, monitor diet (less carbs + sugars)
         • May be supplemented by medication...
           • That reduces the amount of glucose in blood
           • or boosts the amount of insulin released by beta cells
       • In severe cases; insulin injections or injections that slow the absorption of glucose

2. Source of insulin

   • Used to be extracted from animals; pigs- (closely matches our insulin)
     • Now human insulin is produced by GM E.coli becateria
       • Less moral objections; than from animals extracted insulin
       • Cheaper to manufacture insulin than extract it
       • Exact copy of human insulin; faster acting + more effective
       • Manufacturing process can be adapted to demand
       • Less chances of being infected
       • Less chance of rejecting; due to an autoimmune response or developing tolerance to it