The research group in Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute Vall d’Hebron, Barcelona has identified a new therapeutic target against diabetic retinopathy, often in patients with diabetes and major cause of blindness in developed countries.

The publication, which presents the journal Diabetology , provides for the first time that a saving of a protein called IRBP – interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein – in a very early stage of that disease.

With this finding identifies a new therapeutic target for this disease of the retina that is one of the most common complications in diabetics.

The protein is found in the retina and is essential for the visual cycle, when transport of vitamin A and nourish the eye’s photoreceptor cells.

In a previous investigation conducted by the same experts, analyzed the proteins containing vitreous samples of patients with diabetic retinopathy and is aware of a deficit of IRBP.

However, it was not known whether this deficit existed in the early stages of the disease and this was precisely what was intended to find out with the new study, which was later confirmed.

Diabetic retinopathy causes neurodegeneration of the retina that is already present before it can detect any abnormalities of the microcirculation.

“To diagnose diabetic retinopathy examine the retinal blood vessels, but even these do not show affection, the retina may be damaged,” said the group’s director, Rafael Simó.

“The study of the mechanisms leading to neurodegeneration and its effects on proteins involved in the visual cycle may be crucial to identify new therapeutic targets in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy,” he added.

For the study samples were compared diabetic patients who were diagnosed with no diabetic retinopathy, with this fluid samples obtained from subjects without diabetes and a lower level was detected in IRBP in nondiabetics.

All people with type 1 diabetes and some people with type 2 diabetes need to take insulin to control their blood sugar in the blood. In type 1 diabetes your body does not produce any insulin. In type 2 diabetes your body does not produce enough insulin or use it properly.

The goal of taking insulin is to maintain the maximum possible level of blood sugar within normal limits, so you can stay healthy. Over time, high levels of blood sugar can cause serious health problems such as blindness and kidney failure.

Insulin can not be taken by mouth. This, usually administered by injection. Can also be administered by a pump. Probably going to be available as a nasal spray or in other forms.

Your doctor will work with you to develop a schedule that works for you. Most people with diabetes who take insulin need at least 2 daily insulin injections to achieve good control of blood sugar. Some people need 3 or 4 shots a day.

Should I monitor my blood sugar level in blood? Yes, if you do not already monitor their level of blood sugar, you should learn how. Your doctor will teach you.

Your doctor will discuss with you when and how to receive insulin. The treatment for each person is different. Some people who use regular insulin or a longer-acting insulin taken 15 to 30 minutes before eating. Other people who use insulin lispro (brand name: Humalog) taken immediately before eating.

Types of Insulin
Quick action, such as insulin lispro, begins to work very quickly between 5 and 15 minutes and lasts for 3 to 4 hours.

Short-acting, such as regular insulin (R), starts working within a span of 30 minutes and lasts between 5 and 8 hours.

Intermediate-acting insulin such as NPH (N) or Lente (L), starts working within 1 to 3 hours after administration and lasts between 16 and 24 hours.

Long-acting insulin as Ultralente (U), not to work for 4 to 6 hours, but lasts 24 to 28 hours. Another long-acting insulin called glargine, starts working within 1 to 2 hours after administration and lasts 24 hours.

Pre-mixed, two types of insulin mixed in one bottle, starts working within 30 minutes and lasts 16 to 24 hours.

The areas that usually inject insulin are the upper arm, the front and side of the thigh and the abdomen (belly). Ask your doctor which place you should use. Insulin injected near the stomach works fastest, while insulin injected into the thigh works slowest. Insulin is injected under the skin at an average speed.

Here are some general tips on the use of insulin:

1. Wash your hands.
2. Remove the plastic cap covering the insulin bottle and wipe the jar lid with a swab.
3. Pull back the plunger, so that it will push air into the same amount of insulin dose – measured in units – to be injected. Insert the syringe needle through the plastic cover from the insulin bottle. Inject air into the bottle by pushing the plunger inward. Turn the bottle upside down.
4. Make sure the tip of the needle is on insulin. Pull the plunger of the syringe for the correct dose of insulin in the syringe
5. Make sure no air bubbles in the syringe before you remove the needle from the insulin bottle. If air bubbles, hold the syringe and the bottle straight up, tap the syringe with your finger and let the bubbles float to the top of the bottle. Push the plunger to move the bubbles into the insulin bottle. Then withdraw the correct insulin dose by pulling back the plunger.
6. Clean your skin with cotton dipped in alcohol. Grasp a fold of skin and inject insulin syringe tilting at an angle of 90 degrees. (If you’re thin, you may need to pinch the skin and inject insulin syringe tilting at an angle of 45 degrees).

If you take too much insulin, their level of blood sugar will drop too much and you may get hypoglycemia, also called insulin reaction. If you have hypoglycemia, you may feel cranky, more tired than usual, confused and shaky, and you may sweat more. In severe cases, may faint or have a seizure. Ask your doctor about treatment of hypoglycemia. Your doctor may suggest that you always carry a snack, such as candy, fruit juice or soda common – not diet to treat hypoglycemia.

Insulin helps balance the level of glucose in your blood sugar. The level of sugar in the blood of people with diabetes is too high. Children usually given type 1 diabetes, which means your body does not produce any insulin. Adults usually get type 2 diabetes, which means your body makes insulin, but it does not make enough or they can not use it properly.

The goal of diabetes treatment is to maintain their level of blood sugar as close to normal as possible. The first step is to have a healthy diet and exercise. This may mean you need to change their habits regarding diet and exercise. You also have to watch your weight or even lose weight to keep your blood sugar level as close as possible to the normal value. Your doctor will tell you about the types of food you should eat and how much exercise you need every week.

Sometimes diet and exercise alone can not maintain normal sugar levels. Then your doctor will tell you about other treatments such as medication or insulin injections.

Many people with diabetes find it more or less easy to monitor their own blood sugar at home. Your doctor may use these results to see how your treatment is working.

Several kinds of medicines can help control your blood sugar in the blood. Some medicines are pills that you take by mouth or orally. However, oral medications do not work at all. Some people need to take insulin. If you need insulin, you have to inject yourself. Most people with type 2 diabetes start with an oral medication. Your doctor will tell you what kind of medicine to take and why.

Combination therapy uses two medications to help control their blood sugar in the blood. It can also help with other health problems such as pressure or have high cholesterol or being overweight. Each drug works a little differently. Such therapy may combine two oral medications or an oral medication more insulin.

Six kinds of diabetes medicines are available in pill form: sulfonylureas, metformin, thiazolidinediones, alpha glucosidase inhibitors, repaglinide and nateglinide. Each medicine has good points and bad points. Your doctor will decide which medicine is right for you.

Sulfonylureas
(some brand names: Glucotrol, Micronase) are diabetes drugs that are prescribed more often. They are inexpensive and have few side effects. These medicines help your body make insulin. Can be taken alone or with metformin, an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, pioglitazone or insulin. If you are allergic to sulfa, you can not take a sulfonylurea.

Metformin
Metformin (brand name: Glucophage) may be prescribed for people with diabetes who are overweight, because it may help with weight problems. It helps the body use insulin better. Metformin can cause problems like nausea or diarrhea in some people. It can be taken with a sulfonylurea.

Thiazolidinediones
This class of medications includes rosiglitazone (brand name: Avandia) and pioglitazone (brand name: Actos). An older medicine, troglitazone (brand name: Rezulin) is no longer being made because of the risk of liver problems. Rosiglitazone and pioglitazone appear less likely to cause liver problems, but people taking them need periodic liver tests. These medicines help your body respond better to insulin. Rosiglitazone and pioglitazone can be used alone or in combination with other medications for diabetes.

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
Alpha glucosidase inhibitors (brand names: Precose, Glyset) work in your stomach and intestines decreasing the rate at which sugar is absorbed. If one medicine does not control your blood sugar you can use this kind. This drug may cause problems in the stomach or intestines, therefore, can not be a good option if you have had stomach or intestinal problems. Can be taken alone or with sulfonylurea.

Repaglinide
Repaglinide (brand name: Prandin) is taken with meals to control their blood sugar. Your doctor can tell you how to adjust the dose according to the number of times you eat. Repaglinide can be taken alone or with metformin.

Nateglinide
Nateglinide (brand name: Starlix) is taken with meals to maintain their level of blood sugar getting too high after eating. Nateglinide can be taken alone or with metformin.

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch green spinach.
• 2 grams of seaweed.
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice.
• 1 tablespoon lime juice.
• ½ cups water.

How to prepare:

• Place all ingredients in a pot.
• Boil for half an hour to simmer.
• Remove.
• Strain.

How to apply:

• Drink a cup half an hour before lunch and another cup half hour before bedtime.