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Questions and Answers

What is the primary role of insulin in the body?

To increase blood sugar levels

To help cells absorb glucose from the blood (correct)

To replace digestive enzymes

To promote insulin resistance

Which of the following characters was NOT directly involved in the discovery of insulin?

John MacLeod

Hermann Emil Fischer (correct)

Charles Best

James Collip

What significant challenge was faced in the early development of insulin?

The absence of pancreatic tissue

Inconsistent results in early extracts (correct)

High costs of extraction

Lack of interest from researchers

In what year did the first human trial of insulin take place?

1922 Signup and view all the answers

Which type of diabetes is characterized by a lack of insulin production?

Type 1 Diabetes Signup and view all the answers

How many people are estimated to be affected by diabetes worldwide?

400 million Signup and view all the answers

Which initial remedies were considered ineffective for treating diabetes?

Opiates Signup and view all the answers

What was Frederick Banting's contribution to the discovery of insulin?

Isolation of insulin-producing tissue Signup and view all the answers

Why is the discovery of insulin significant in global healthcare?

It addresses the high prevalence of diabetes worldwide Signup and view all the answers

What characterized the historical understanding of diabetes?

It was noted through the sweetness of urine Signup and view all the answers

What role did James Collip play in the insulin discovery?

He extracted insulin consistently. Signup and view all the answers

Which companies were pioneers in industrial-scale insulin production?

Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk Signup and view all the answers

What significant change did insulin bring to diabetes management?

It transformed diabetes into a manageable condition. Signup and view all the answers

Who were awarded the Nobel Prize in 1923 for their contributions to insulin discovery?

Banting and MacLeod Signup and view all the answers

What challenge remains for diabetes management today?

High financial costs Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant limitation of oral or inhaled insulin?

It has severe side effects. Signup and view all the answers

What type of therapy is being researched to regenerate insulin-producing cells?

Stem cell therapy Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the advancements in diabetes treatment mentioned?

Islet cell transplants Signup and view all the answers

What is a notable legacy of MacLeod, according to the information provided?

He became Regius Professor of Physiology in Aberdeen. Signup and view all the answers

In what way is the discovery of insulin described as remarkable?

It showcased innovation under necessity. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Discovering Insulin - Lecture 15

Insulin discovery's link to Aberdeen, wider drug discovery context, and broader global significance
Over 400 million people affected by diabetes worldwide, 10% of NHS UK budget dedicated to diabetes.
Two types of diabetes:
- Type 1: Lack of insulin production
- Type 2: Body's ineffective use of insulin
Diabetes defined by high blood sugar levels, historically identified through urine sweetness
Insulin's role: hormone produced by pancreatic beta cells, enabling glucose absorption. Without insulin, glucose cannot enter cells, causing high blood sugar and cellular starvation.
Early treatment attempts included ineffective methods like opiates and digestive enzymes.
Key figures in insulin discovery:
- John MacLeod: Aberdeen graduate and physiology professor
- Frederick Banting: Canadian doctor
- Charles Best: Banting's assistant
- James Collip: Biochemist, refined insulin extraction
Timeline of insulin discovery:
- 1920: Banting proposes isolating insulin-producing tissue in dogs.
- 1921: Successful reduction of blood sugar in dogs.
- 1922: First successful human trial (14-year-old diabetic patient).
Challenges in insulin development faced inconsistent results in early extracts and conflicts among researchers.
James Collip's expertise allowed for consistent insulin extraction.
Insulin commercialization driven by Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, initially using pig pancreases.
Insulin transformed diabetes from a fatal disease to a manageable condition
1923 Nobel Prize awarded to Banting and MacLeod, while recognition occurred despite personal conflicts
MacLeod returned to Aberdeen as a Regius Professor.
Aberdeen has memorials to MacLeod, such as bronze benches in Duthie Park
Modern treatments: insulin injections, research on stem cell therapy, islet cell transplants, ongoing challenges like diabetes' financial burden on NHS (£10 billion annually)
Final thoughts on insulin discovery: remarkably rapid, within two years, showcasing necessity-driven innovation, and its lasting impact on medical science.