Insulin Human

Insulin is a crucial hormone for regulating blood glucose levels, and its deficiency or resistance leads to diabetes mellitus. The advent of recombinant DNA technology has revolutionized the production of human insulin, making it more accessible and effective for diabetes management.

Before the development of recombinant insulin, diabetes was managed using animal-derived insulin, primarily from pigs and cows. While effective, these insulins often caused allergic reactions and other side effects due to slight differences in amino acid sequences compared to human insulin .

The breakthrough in recombinant insulin production came in the early 1980s. Eli Lilly and Company launched the first human insulin of recombinant DNA origin in 1982, followed by Novo Nordisk in 1988 . This development was made possible by inserting the human insulin gene into the genetic material of bacteria, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), or yeast. These genetically modified microorganisms could then produce insulin identical to that produced by the human pancreas .

The production of recombinant human insulin involves several critical steps:

1. Gene Cloning: The human insulin gene is inserted into a plasmid vector, which is then introduced into a host microorganism like E. coli or yeast.
2. Expression: The host microorganisms are cultured in large fermentation tanks, where they express the insulin protein.
3. Purification: The insulin protein is extracted and purified through various techniques, including chromatography and crystallization .
4. Formulation: The purified insulin is formulated into a stable, injectable form suitable for medical use .

Recombinant insulin offers several advantages over animal-derived insulin:

• Reduced Allergic Reactions: Being identical to human insulin, recombinant insulin minimizes the risk of allergic reactions.
• Scalability: The production process can be scaled up to meet the growing demand for insulin worldwide.
• Consistency: Recombinant insulin ensures a consistent and reliable supply, crucial for managing diabetes effectively .

The introduction of recombinant insulin has significantly improved the quality of life for people with diabetes. It has enabled better glycemic control, reduced complications, and provided more flexible treatment options. Additionally, the development of insulin analogs, which are modified forms of insulin with altered pharmacokinetic properties, has further enhanced diabetes management .

The demand for insulin continues to rise, driven by the increasing prevalence of diabetes globally. Ongoing research aims to develop more efficient and cost-effective production methods, as well as new insulin analogs with improved therapeutic properties .