Study: Modified ‘Probiotic Pill’ May Aid Diabetes Treatment

05 Feb 2015 --- A new study has suggested that a ‘probiotic pill’ – one containing live bacteria – might be able to dramatically reduce blood glucose levels, potentially proving to be revolutionary in the treatment of diabetes. The study has been published in the journal ‘Diabetes’.

Researchers found that using a pill containing common bacteria found in the human gut could shift the control of glucose levels from the pancreas to the upper intestine; this would address both types of diabetes. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce insulin or enough insulin to counteract high levels of glucose in the sufferer’s blood.

Senior author of the study Professor March at Cornell University, New York, explained that the team had created a common strain of ‘friendly’ human gut bacteria, called Lactobacillus. This probiotic was designed to secrete a peptide, which is a hormone that releases insulin in response to food. 

The modified probiotic was then given to diabetic rats and the pill’s effect on blood glucose levels was monitored. The results showed that the rats which had taken the modified probiotic pill had blood glucose levels around 30% lower than those that didn’t take the pill. 

“One of the things that is useful about probiotics is that they are generally regarded as safe by the Food and Drug Administration,” said Professor March. “It’s a good vehicle for delivering things to cells on the gastrointestinal tract.”
At this stage it is too early to be certain that the probiotic used would have the same benefits in humans, or whether this pill could be used to help with the treatment of diabetes. 

“Years of further research using animal models and clinical trials in humans will be needed before we will know if this treatment could benefit people living with diabetes,” said a spokesperson for Diabetes UK. “The research highlighted will not provide an immediate cure for people living with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, but it is very interesting nevertheless.” 

The organization also pointed out that the ‘probiotic pill’ used in the study is different to the probiotic dairy products that are already widely available.