A Century of Insulin

Abstract

For a century now, the use of insulin has advanced the treatment of diabetes beyond what was ever thought possible in the early 1920s. This article walks through the evolution and ongoing development of progressively more physiologic formulations of insulin. The discovery of insulin was the most important landmark in treatment of diabetes by far. The discovery continues to inspire medical scientists to develop insulins mimicking basal as well as prandial profiles. Similarly, progress has been ongoing in commercial production of insulins from animal sources to advanced recombinant DNA technologies to formulate molecules almost identical to human insulin. Finally, over the years, insulins have become progressively more purified to almost 100% without contamination leading to almost total elimination of allergic reactions. In conclusion, what was just an idea based on previous knowledge of the role of disorder of pancreatic islets in causing diabetes to discovery of insulin 100 years ago to what is now well established as a life-saving treatment of diabetes.