Insulin may protect patients from fatal bacterial infections

Washington, Sept 9 (ANI): A new study has revealed that treating patients with insulin may reduce their chances of succumbing to an infection.

University at Buffalo endocrinologists showed that insulin lowered the amount of inflammation and oxidative stress in study participants who had been injected with a common bacteria, or endotoxin.

The bacteria cause haemorrhage, necrosis of the kidneys and shock, especially in immune-compromised patients.

The study results showed that insulin reduced the body-aches score but had no effect on temperature. In addition, the endotoxin induced a rapid rise in several destructive and inflammatory factors.

"This study lays the foundation for further studies based on insulin infusion and the normalization of blood glucose concentrations in patients with endotoxemia and septicemia," said Paresh Dandona.

"Clearly, insulin may emerge with roles beyond those conceived when it was discovered in 1921 as a metabolic hormone, and has since been used for the treatment of diabetes to lower and control blood glucose concentrations," Dandona added.

The paper is published online ahead of print in Diabetes Care. (ANI)