Diabetes Research Highlights

Both basic and clinical research in diabetes have contributed to improvements in diabetes diagnosis, treatment, and management, as well as improved understanding of the genetic and biochemical mechanisms that lead to disease development.

Beginning with the discovery of insulin by endocrine researchers in 1921, the long history of diabetes research produced numerous advancements, most of which resulted in improvements in treatments and led to enhanced life expectancy and lifestyle for people with diabetes. In addition, clinical studies, such as the landmark diabetes control and complications trial in 1993 proved that intensive control of blood glucose levels in people with type 1 diabetes resulted in fewer complications and better quality of life. Another important clinical study conducted in Europe shortly afterward showed similar data in people with type 2 diabetes.

Basic and clinical research have led directly to the development of new medications that decrease insulin resistance. One of the earlier drugs was metformin, which was followed by thiazolidinediones, a new class of drugs that improved glucose response. These medications are known as “insulin sensitizers” and work in the liver, muscle, fat, and other tissues to increase sensitivity to insulin and overcome insulin resistance. The development of insulin resistance, which can be both genetic and diet induced, can result in development of diabetes. Therefore, these new insulin sensitizer treatments have given both the patient and physician more flexibility in the care and management of insulin resistant patients with diabetes.

Significant research is now underway to develop promising new insulin sensitizing agents, which may have also have protective effects in cardiovascular disease. For more information on endocrine research, see our Clinical Trials and Research page.

Editors:
Alan Schneyer, PhD
Ellen Seely, MD

April 2008