Artificial Pancreas Keeps Tight Rein on Blood Sugar

June 28, 2010— -- ORLANDO -- A closed-loop insulin delivery system -- the so-called "artificial pancreas" -- appears to improve glucose control in patients with type 1 diabetes even after a large dinner accompanied by wine, compared with insulin pump therapy, researchers said here.

In a small study, patients who had a high-carbohydrate dinner with a glass of wine spent more time in the target blood glucose range when they used the closed-loop system versus patients who relied on an insulin pump, according to Dr. Roman Hovorka of the University of Cambridge, and colleagues.

They reported their findings at a symposium at the American Diabetes Association meeting here.

The artificial pancreas is a device that can automatically regulate blood sugar levels in patients with type 1 diabetes by releasing insulin when alerted to high levels of sugar, and withholding it when levels are low. Right now, patients with type 1 diabetes -- a group that accounts for between 5 and 10 percent of all diabetics -- either self-inject insulin or wear an insulin pump that releases the hormone into their body throughout the day.

The artificial pancreas is essentially taking insulin pumps a step further, by adding a continuous glucose monitor as well as an algorithm. The monitor constantly reads glucose levels, which the algorithm interprets and subsequently tells the insulin pump whether to release or withhold insulin.

Hovorka said at a press briefing that "social drinking in the evening causes hypoglycemia early in morning."

His group reported findings earlier this year in The Lancet that showed improved overnight glucose control and reduced risk of hypoglycemia with the closed-loop system compared with standard therapy.

In order to test how a large meal and liquor would affect that control, the researchers enrolled 12 adults with type 1 diabetes in a cross-over study.

Those hospitalized were treated on two separate nights with either closed-loop insulin delivery or conventional insulin pump therapy.