Commentary - (2024) Volume 8, Issue 1
Received: 28-Feb-2024, Manuscript No. IPJDRE-24-20059; Editor assigned: 01-Mar-2024, Pre QC No. IPJDRE-24-20059 (PQ); Reviewed: 15-Mar-2024, QC No. IPJDRE-24-20059; Revised: 20-Mar-2024, Manuscript No. IPJDRE-24-20059 (R); Published: 27-Mar-2024, DOI: 10.36648/ipjdre.08.01.03
Diabetes management has seen significant advancements over the past decades, with insulin therapy being a cornerstone for patients with type 1 diabetes and many with type 2 diabetes. The advent of novel insulin analogues marks a pivotal development, offering improved efficacy and safety profiles compared to traditional human insulins. These advancements are transforming the landscape of diabetes care, providing better glycaemic control, reduced risk of hypoglycaemia, and enhanced convenience for patients. Since the discovery of insulin in 1921, the primary goal has been to replicate the natural pattern of insulin secretion by the pancreas. Early insulin therapies involved animal-derived insulin, followed by human insulin produced via recombinant DNA technology. While these formulations were life-saving, they had limitations, including variable absorption rates and the risk of hypoglycaemia. Insulin analogues, modified forms of human insulin, were developed to address these issues. These analogues are designed to either act more rapidly or have a prolonged effect, aligning more closely with the body’s natural insulin release and needs. Rapid-acting insulin analogues, such as insulin lisper, insulin apart, and insulin glulisine, have revolutionized mealtime glucose control. These analogues have a faster onset and a shorter duration of action compared to regular human insulin. They are typically administered just before meals, allowing for more flexible and precise dosing. Insulin lisper, for instance, begins to work within 15 minutes of injection, peaks in about 1 hour, and continues to work for 2 to 4 hours. This rapid action helps in mimicking the body’s natural insulin response to meals, reducing postprandial glucose spikes and improving overall glycaemic control. Moreover, the predictability of these analogues reduces the risk of hypoglycaemia, a common and dangerous side effect of insulin therapy. Long-acting insulin analogues, including insulin glargine, insulin deter, and the ultra-long-acting insulin delude, provide a steady release of insulin over an extended period, mimicking the basal insulin secretion of a healthy pancreas. This consistent delivery helps maintain stable blood glucose levels throughout the day and night. Insulin glargine, for example, forms micro precipitates at the injection site, providing a slow, steady release of insulin with a duration of action of up to 24 hours. Insulin delude, on the other hand, can last up to 42 hours, offering even greater flexibility and reducing the burden of strict adherence to a dosing schedule. These long-acting analogues have shown to significantly reduce the incidence of nocturnal hypoglycaemia, which is a major concern for patients using insulin therapy. Their stable action profiles also contribute to better overall glycaemic control, lowering HbA1c levels without increasing the risk of hypoglycaemia. Recent advancements have led to the development of ultra-rapid-acting and ultra-longacting insulin analogues, further enhancing the flexibility and safety of insulin therapy. Ultra-rapid-acting insulins, such as faster apart, provide even quicker onset of action, closely mimicking the physiological insulin response to food intake. These analogues allow for more accurate dosing and better postprandial glucose control. Ultra-long-acting insulins, such as insulin iodic, are designed for once-weekly dosing. This innovation has the potential to significantly improve adherence and convenience for patients, particularly those with type 2 diabetes who require basal insulin. The development of insulin analogues has focused not only on efficacy but also on safety. Modern analogues undergo rigorous testing to ensure they have minimal immunogenicity, reducing the risk of allergic reactions. Additionally, advancements in formulation and delivery methods, such as insulin pumps and smart pens, have further enhanced the precision and convenience of insulin administration. Clinical studies consistently demonstrate that insulin analogues provide superior glycaemic control with a lower risk of hypoglycaemia compared to traditional insulins.
None.
The author’s declared that they have no conflict of interest.
Citation: Robinson I (2024) Novel Insulin Analogues: Enhancing Efficacy and Safety. J Diab Res Endocrinol. 8:03.
Copyright: © 2024 Robinson I. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
