How Will Magnetic Nano-Particle Technology Transform Diabetes Treatment?

Abstract

Diabetes is a present and future global challenge that has attracted the attention of health experts. Diabetes falls under metabolic diseases caused by dysfunctional insulin secretion. The prevalence of this disease in three heredity, adulthood and pregnancy types has led to focus on how to treat and improve therapeutic procedures. Nano-technology, and more importantly, magnetic nano-particle technology plays a major role in improving treatment processes. So far, and in today’s world, the most widely used method, as prescribed by physicians and used by patients, has been insulin injection, which has both advantages and disadvantages. Daily injection of this hormone may cause increased risk of developing different types of infections as a result of successive injections. Insulin delivery can be performed by types of nano-particles, along with polysaccharides, which may take both oral and inhalation forms.   

Using nano-devices to measure blood sugar is evidence to demonstrate the positive effects of nanoscience on diabetes. It is much convenient and cost-effective to manufacture electrochemical nano-sensors to accurately measure insulin in the blood of diabetic patients than previous measurement methods. 

There are also reports over the effects of magnetic fields on blood sugar homeostasis, though no general consensus is yet to reject or accept these reports. However, animal experimentations may help reveal how magnetic fields could reduce blood sugar, as exposing diabetic mice to a combination of electrical and fixed (static) magnetic fields for several hours a day could return blood sugar and insulin resistance to a normal state. Based on this unexpected discovery, it is possible to use electromagnetic fields to control blood sugar and manage Type 2 Diabetes. This impressive discovery may have major outcomes for diabetes care; especially for the patients who struggle from current treatment regimens.