Understanding Diabetes: Causes, Treatments, and Future
Type 1 Diabetes: The Pancreas’ Role
The pancreas is a vital organ with dual functions: it acts as an exocrine gland, producing pancreatic juice, and as an endocrine gland, producing hormones that regulate blood glucose concentration. Insulin is a crucial hormone.
If the beta cells fail to produce insulin or produce an insufficient amount, the blood may contain an excess of glucose that enters the tissues. This condition is easily detected with a blood test.
Non-Infectious Diseases and Genetics
Genetic diseases are often transmitted through genes from parents to children. Most non-infectious diseases have a genetic component. Our genes determine the proteins that control the biological activity of cells and the functioning of our bodies. Diseases can manifest due to alterations in dozens of genes, making them multigenic diseases.
Causes of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is the most common chronic disease in childhood. It may have a genetic predisposition, but the most common form has an autoimmune origin. The immune system fails to recognize the beta cells and destroys the islets.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes typically affects adults. Glucose regulation is disrupted because the cells do not recognize the insulin produced by the pancreas; this is known as insulin resistance. A diet low in carbohydrates is often recommended for patients.
The Future: Cellular Therapy
Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent and can differentiate into approximately 200 cell types in the body. Their differentiation into specific cell types depends on chemical signals that induce changes in gene expression, leading to the production of proteins and the formation of cells like cardiac or retinal epithelial cells.
Treating Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by problems in insulin production. Treatment involves supplying this hormone directly. Daily insulin injections are necessary for continuous glucose regulation. Our body has regulatory mechanisms that control the balance between glucose levels, and even other hormones can act antagonistically to insulin.
The Gene Revolution
The discovery of the DNA molecular structure was one of the most important scientific breakthroughs of the last century. It opened an extensive field of research in molecular genetics.
Recombinant Insulin
One of the earliest applications was the production of recombinant insulin through genetic engineering: human insulin produced by genetically modified bacteria. This involves removing the human insulin gene from human cells and introducing it into the genome of bacteria.
Biotechnology and Patents
Drugs obtained through genetic engineering techniques are used to treat hundreds of millions of people. A significant part of the success of companies is based on patents for molecules discovered through pharmacological action. The future of biomedical research and treatments for many diseases, such as type 1 and type 2 diabetes, cancer, or AIDS, depends on the resources allocated to these enterprises.