TRC: Insulin

Insulin

Insulin, used for the treatment of diabetes is produced by recombinant DNA techniques. Insulin affects glucose-, fat-, and protein metabolism. It binds to a tyrosine kinase receptor at the cell surface. Activation of the receptor is the beginning of a cascade of phosphorylations of enzymes in the cytoplasm, eventually resulting in changes in cellular processes. Insulin stimulates the transport of vesicles containing glucose transporters towards the cell membrane. At the level of carbohydrate metabolism, insulin stimulates uptake of glucose in muscle and adipose tissue. In the liver, insulin inhibits glucose production by inhibiting glycolysis and gluconeogenesis and by stimulating glycogen synthesis. In adipose tissue, insulin stimulates triglyceride formation and inhibits release of fatty acids. Protein synthesis is induced by insulin.

Insulins with different durations of action are used to treat diabetes:

short-acting insulin (4-6 hours, in blue): normal insulin Actrapid®
short-acting insulin analogues (4-6 hours, in blue): aspart (Novorapid®) and lispro (Humalog®)
long-acting insulin (14-28 hours, in purple): glargine (Lantus®) and detemir (Levemir®)

Patients must control their own sharp setting of insulin administration. Short-acting insulin needs to be injected 2-3 times a day just prior to a meal. In addition, 1-2 injections a day with long-acting insulin are necessary.

I. Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus can also be treated with other drugs than insulin.

II. Some patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus do NOT need insulin.

Extra info: Type 1 diabetes mellitus is characterized by the complete absence of insulin. Therefore, these patients can only be treated with insulin. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus should begin with dietary control and oral glucose lowering drugs.

Option explanation:

I is true, II is false

I is true, II is true

I is false, II is false

I is false, II is true

Insulin

Insulin

You may also like