Question

Why can’t insulin be given orally to diabetic patients?

Options

• Human body will elicit strong immune response.

• It will be digested in Gastro-Intestinal (GI) tract.

• Because of structural variation.

• Its bioavailability will be increased.

Answer 1

It will be digested in Gastro-Intestinal (GI) tract.

Explanation:

Like food proteins, proteolytic enzymes in the stomach and intestines would break down insulin, a protein hormone, if it were consumed orally. Consequently, it would stop working before it could enter the bloodstream, making it useless. For this reason, insulin is typically given by injection.