What did dogs teach humans about diabetes? - Duncan C. Ferguson

Summary

Diabetes, a widespread disease, has affected humanity for centuries. Its causes remained a mystery until the 20th century when the discovery of insulin, derived from dogs' pancreas tissue, revolutionized treatment. German scientists first identified the pancreas' role in diabetes in 1890, and in 1920, Canadian researchers Frederick Banting and Charles Best confirmed its function, developing insulin as a treatment. This discovery not only saved human lives but also benefited dogs, who now receive insulin for diabetes. The bond between humans and dogs has played a pivotal role in medical breakthroughs, demonstrating the mutual benefit of veterinary and human medicine.

Takeaways

• 😀 Diabetes is a major health issue, affecting an estimated 400 million people worldwide, with projections of a 50% increase in 20 years.
• 😀 The early symptoms of diabetes, such as increased thirst and frequent urination, have been recognized since 1500 BCE in Egypt.
• 😀 The term 'diabetes' was first used by Greek physician Apollonius of Memphis in 250 BCE, meaning 'to pass through.'
• 😀 Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes were identified as separate conditions by Indian physicians in the 5th century CE, with Type 1 associated with youth and Type 2 with obesity.
• 😀 Until the early 20th century, a diabetes diagnosis was effectively a death sentence, with the causes of the disease unknown.
• 😀 A major breakthrough in understanding diabetes came in 1890 when scientists Von Mering and Minkowski demonstrated that removing a dog's pancreas led to diabetic symptoms.
• 😀 The exact mechanism behind diabetes was discovered in 1920 by Canadian surgeon Frederick Banting and his student Charles Best, who proved that the pancreas regulates blood glucose.
• 😀 In 1922, the first insulin extract from beef pancreas was used to treat diabetic patients, revolutionizing diabetes management.
• 😀 Frederick Banting and John Macleod received the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1923 for their work on insulin, with Banting sharing his prize with Charles Best.
• 😀 Medical experimentation on animals, particularly dogs, played a pivotal role in understanding and treating diabetes, but many canine cases mirror the human condition, especially Type 1 diabetes.
• 😀 Today, insulin therapy is used not only to treat humans but also dogs, with vets administering insulin and using similar monitoring methods as in human diabetes care.

Q & A

What is the estimated number of people suffering from diabetes worldwide?

An estimated 400 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes.

When were the early symptoms of diabetes, such as increased thirst and large volumes of urine, recognized?

The early symptoms of diabetes were recognized as far back as 1500 BCE in Egypt.

What does the term 'diabetes' mean, and who first used it?

The term 'diabetes,' meaning 'to pass through,' was first used in 250 BCE by the Greek physician Apollonius of Memphis.

How were Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes distinguished, and when was this discovery made?

Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes were identified as separate conditions by Indian physicians in the 5th century CE, with Type 1 associated with youth and Type 2 with obesity.

What was the major obstacle in diagnosing and treating diabetes until the early 20th century?

The major obstacle was the lack of understanding of the causes of diabetes, which made diagnosis equivalent to a death sentence.

How did the study of dogs contribute to the discovery of the role of the pancreas in diabetes?

In 1890, German scientists Von Mering and Minkowski discovered that removing a dog's pancreas caused it to develop symptoms of diabetes, leading to the understanding that the pancreas is central to the disease.

What breakthrough did Frederick Banting and Charles Best make in 1920 related to diabetes treatment?

Frederick Banting and Charles Best confirmed that the pancreas regulates blood glucose and successfully treated diabetic dogs with an extract prepared from pancreas tissue.

How did insulin become available for human use?

By 1922, researchers developed an insulin extract from beef pancreas, which was first used to treat a 14-year-old diabetic boy, followed by others. The manufacturing process was later handed over to a pharmaceutical company.

What recognition did Banting and Macleod receive for their work on insulin?

Banting and Macleod received the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1923 for their discovery of insulin.

How are dogs treated for diabetes today, and how is it similar to human treatment?

Dogs with diabetes are treated with insulin injections, regimented feedings, and periodic blood glucose testing, similar to the treatments used for human diabetic patients.