How just one squirt of nose spray a day could end misery of diabetes jabs

An insulin nasal spray has been developed that could put an end to the misery of daily injections for Type 1 diabetes sufferers. In tests, one squirt of the special formulation was enough to reduce blood sugar levels for 24 hours. The liquid turns into a sticky gel as it heats up inside the nose, which allows it to administer the insulin dose before the body clears it away.

End of painful injections? A new spray that turns into an insulin-packed gel in the nose could be the answer for diabetics

A chemical component of the spray also makes it easier for insulin to penetrate the mucous membranes lining the nasal cavity. The spray was developed by researchers at the University of Sunderland who tested it on diabetic rats. While the effect of the gel worked for 24 hours, the effect of a traditional jab only lasted nine hours. Study leader, Dr Hamde Nazar, said: 'Our data highlights the potential of the formulation as a once-a-day dosage form for the delivery of insulin through the nasal route. 'However, its relative merit for the treatment of the human diabetes condition can only be assessed in the clinic.'

In type 1 diabetes the body destroys insulin-making cells in the pancreas, causing blood glucose levels to rise dangerously high. The autoimmune condition affects one in 300 people and can quickly become life threatening if left untreated. Treatment usually involves numerous daily injections of insulin to keep blood sugar levels under control. This can be distressing and inconvenient, especially as it typically develops in children and young adults. Frequent jabs can also lead to hard fat deposits developing at the injection sites. A nasal spray would be a far easier and less painful way for diabetics to control their condition. Results from the study have been published in the Royal Society of Chemistry journal Biomaterials Science.

Source: Daily Mail UK

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