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Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas, specifically by the so-called B cells of the islands of Langerhans. The role of insulin in the body is very important, it has many functions. However, insulin is best known as a drug used in diabetes. Insulin has also found application in bodybuilding. Check how insulin works.

Contents:

  1. Insulin - role in the body, action
  2. Insulin and diabetes. Indications for use
  3. Insulin - types and duration of action
  4. Insulin - how to administer?
  5. Insulin - how to store?
  6. Insulin - side effects
  7. Insulin for bodybuilding

Insulinis a hormone produced by the pancreas, specifically the beta cells of the Langerhans islets in the pancreas, to regulate the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood.

Insulinis also a drug used in diabetes, which until recently was obtained from animal pancreas (beef and pork). Currently, human insulin obtained by genetic engineering techniques is usually used.

Insulin is also used as an illegal doping agent in sports and bodybuilding.

Insulin - role in the body, action

  • regulates the amount of glucose in the blood. Insulin's job is to lower blood sugar to the correct level. Lack of or deficiency of insulin leads to an increase in blood sugar levels in the blood, which can lead to the development of type II diabetes
  • is involved in the conversion of carbohydrates into fats
  • enhances protein synthesis by accelerating the supply of amino acids

The most intense process of insulin secretion occurs in the morning and decreases in the afternoon. During the night, the amount of insulin secreted drops significantly.

Insulin and diabetes. Indications for use

In people with diabetes, the pancreas does not produce insulin or enough insulin. It can also happen that the pancreas is unable to efficiently use the insulin it produces. As a result, glucose (sugar) builds up in the bloodstream.

In type I diabetes, insulin treatment is necessary because the pancreas does not produce this hormone at all. In contrast, in the course of type II diabetes, patients may be able to keep their blood glucose levels normal with adequatediet, exercise, and diabetes medications. Only when these methods do not bring the desired effects, insulin is added to the treatment.

The indications for its use are also:

  • glycotoxicity management
  • other diseases (e.g. heart attack, pneumonia) in a patient with type 2 diabetes, previously treated with oral antidiabetic drugs
  • surgery in a type 2 diabetic patient previously treated with oral antidiabetic drugs
  • severe liver and / or kidney damage in a patient with type 2 diabetes (these are conditions in which the use of oral antidiabetic drugs is contraindicated)
  • gestational diabetes (if diet does not help)

Insulin for injection is obtained from the pancreas of animals (porcine insulin is the most similar molecule to humans) or by biotechnology (insulin can be produced by special strains of bacteria or baker's yeast that have previously been implanted with human insulin genes). Both insulins are equally effective.

Insulin - types and duration of action

Insulins differ in their duration of action (how long they are effective), onset of action (how quickly they start to act), and peak action (when they are most effective).

  • regular insulin appears quickly in the blood and has a short duration of action. It can be taken half an hour before a meal. It is most active between 1 and 3 hours after injection. It is effective for 8 hours.
  • intermediate-acting insulin can be taken 1-1.5 hours before meals. The highest blood concentration is between 4 and 12 hours after injection. Works for 24 hours.
  • Long-acting insulin taken 1-1.5 hours before a meal is effective for more than 24 hours.
  • there are also ready-made mixtures of short-acting insulin and intermediate-acting insulin.

Insulin - how to administer?

The diabetologist decides what doses of insulin and how often to take, after a series of tests. Before each administration of insulin, you should measure your blood sugar level, and if you take a dose before a meal - take into account the amount of carbohydrates it contains.

Insulin can be administered using a syringe, pen, or pump

  • Insulin pen (the so-called pen)

Insulin is bought in ampoules or so-called pens. Peny are pen-like dispensers. Inside they have inserts-containers with insulin sufficient for several days. The disposable mini-needles are very thin and silicone-coated so that the injection is pain-free. The needle is stuck underskin but not muscle. Injecting insulin into the muscle is not dangerous, but not advisable, because the time of insulin absorption and action is disturbed. It is best to inject into the abdomen, thigh or shoulder.

To avoid the formation of subcutaneous lumps and adhesions, the injections should not be given over and over again in the same place. Insulin must be injected slowly and the needle should not be removed immediately after emptying the container - it is worth waiting 5-6 seconds, because this will ensure that the entire dose is injected and prevent insulin leakage.

  • Syringes

From a special container, the patient takes - with a syringe - an appropriate amount of insulin, and then injects it under the skin. The syringes are small and have thin needles with a special coating, so that the injection causes little discomfort.

  • Insulin pump

The insulin pump consists of a small catheter that is inserted under the skin and a pump the size of a cell phone that is worn outside the body. The pump has a reservoir for insulin, which it delivers at set times.

The fear of pain and the fear of injections causes some patients to have problems using these treatments, which increases the risk of serious complications. That is why scientists are still working on modern forms of insulin administration - insulin patches, aerosols sprayed into the mouth, capsules that release insulin slowly, as well as an artificial pancreas, i.e. a two-hormone pump.

Important

Insulin, when injected under the skin, tends to crystallize. The crystals dissolve very slowly, which means that this hormone reaches its highest concentration in the blood after 1.5-2 hours. There must be 30-45 minutes between the injection and the meal for the medicine to work. Almost 90 percent patients, however, do not follow this recommendation and inject themselves too late, usually just before a meal. Scientists changed the amino acids in the insulin molecule and obtained a substance with new properties - the so-calledhuman insulin analog . Its crystals dissolve much faster, so you can inject yourself right before, during, or even up to 15 minutes after a meal.

According to an expertJolanta Mętrak, internist

Insulin - analogues of long-acting insulins

I am the mother of 6-year-old Ania, who has been suffering from insulin-dependent diabetes for 1.5 years. I would like to know if long-acting insulins are really very effective compared to other insulins? Are they given once a day, do they give even better results for low blood glucose and HbA1c levels, and do they reduce the risk ofcomplications related to diabetes?

Jolanta Mętrak, internist: Long-acting analog insulins are indeed very good and "convenient" insulins which, by improving sugar control, and thus improving the control of diabetes, reduce its chronic complications. They most often require the simultaneous administration of short-acting, me altime insulins, but in people with low needs, who eat little, they may be sufficient. They also work well in the so-called diabetes remission. They are currently "Mercedes" among insulins.

Worth knowing

Insulin - how to store?

  • preferably refrigerated at 2-8 degrees C
  • away from sunlight, open vial up to 6 weeks, pens - disposable pens - up to a month
  • do not freeze
  • do not use insulin that has thawed or has changed its color or consistency

Insulin - side effects

In the course of insulin therapy, as with any other drug, side effects occur, but they are of a limited nature.

1. Lipohypertrophy and lipoatrophy

Lipohypertrophy is an overgrowth of adipose tissue at sites where insulin is administered, which manifests itself initially with hardening of the skin followed by visible elevation.

2. Allergic

Insulin rarely causes allergies and should not be feared. There may be a rash or red itchy skin at the injection sites. Then it is necessary to see a doctor in order to change the insulin preparation.

3. Weight gain

Most people gain weight at the beginning of insulin therapy. Several mechanisms of insulin action contribute to this.

4. Hypertension

Insulin can increase blood pressure directly - by stimulating the sympathetic nervous system (part of the nervous system that stimulates the body to act in stressful situations) and by increasing the absorption of sodium in the kidneys.

5. Hypoglycemia

With insulin treatment, a decrease in blood glucose may occur due to the consumption of too little food, excessive exercise, an incorrectly selected dose of insulin or alcohol consumption. Usually, hypoglycaemia occurs when the blood glucose level is<55 mg/dl (3,0 mmol/l).

Insulin for bodybuilding

Insulin is used in sport and bodybuilding as a substance that activates the action of anabolic steroids, in particular growth hormone.

A large proportion of growth hormones pass into the liver when injected into the body. TaskLiver cells start producing the insulin-like growth factor, IGF. For this - in addition to testosterone and thyroid gland hormones - insulin is also required. However, the daily dose of insulin that is produced by the pancreas is insufficient to guarantee the maximum production of IGF-1 in the liver after an injection of growth hormone. Hence the need for insulin.

However, the use of insulin by he althy people carries a great risk.

According to an expertJolanta Mętrak, internist

Insulin as support for the athlete

I am an athlete, I have been supporting myself with various pharmaceuticals for several years. I am considering taking insulin - can I count on my doctor's help in this matter?

Jolanta Mętrak, internist: Where did this idea come from ?! Insulin lowers sugar levels and can cause hypoglycemia, which is a dangerous condition not only for your he alth, but also for life. When playing sports, your muscles use up sugar in addition. Low sugar levels are bad for brain function. I don't think a doctor will write a prescription for insulin for a person without diabetes.

For 10 percent of all deaths from diabetes correspond to hypoglycaemia

Source: x-news.pl/lifestyle.newseria.pl

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Category:

Diabetes