Project Overview: For this assignment, we were asked to select a scientific topic we wanted to explore further and discuss its key aspects, including the main research question, methodology, and findings. We then connected the topic to the broader field of science, explaining its relevance and importance, while also addressing any limitations or gaps in the existing research. I chose to explore the topic of diabetes diagnosis and management.
Introduction
Diabetes mellitus is a condition where the body either does not produce an appropriate amount of insulin or cannot use it effectively, leading to disproportionate blood sugar, or glucose levels. This widespread disease affects millions globally, including a significant number of people in the United States. While diabetes is manageable with treatments such as insulin injections or daily medications like Metformin, it is a progressively degenerative illness that can result in various bodily complications. These issues, often beginning in the nerves and blood vessels, all stem from the same origin of chronic high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Recent research has examined how advanced diabetes can lead to complications, particularly in the lower limbs, and how it can ultimately contribute to cardiovascular diseases. Currently, there is no cure for diabetes, prompting scientists to strive for solutions that can minimize the need for procedures like amputations and, in severe cases, prevent death. Managing blood sugar and fat intake can be challenging in a glucose-rich world, but effective management can significantly reduce the risk of related diseases. Researchers are working to deepen their understanding of diabetes, recognizing that it is often influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors rather than just excessive consumption of sugary foods. It is particularly interesting exploring preventive measures that go beyond daily medication, focusing on strategies that address the body’s impaired ability to produce or effectively use insulin. This includes investigating methods such as regenerating or transplanting insulin-producing cells to enhance their protection and function. However, this somewhat gray area is still evolving. There are currently several natural methods to manage diabetes, such as using curcumin (found in turmeric) and umbilical cord platelets, which can promote faster healing of ulcers. Additionally, there is growing interest in identifying elevated presepsin levels in the blood as an early indicator for diagnosing infections. These approaches offer promising avenues for improving diabetes management and enhancing patient outcomes.
Body: The Potential Role of Presepsin in Predicting Severe Infection in Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Diabetics are particularly susceptible to foot ulcers due to poor blood circulation and neuropathy, which is nerve damage that leads to a loss of sensation or excessive tingling in the feet. This loss of feeling can be detrimental because individuals may not notice the onset of a foot ulcer, allowing it to worsen before they seek treatment, and potentially causing further harm by allowing it to fester and cause infection. Research by Yeun-Ha et al. (2024) investigated whether elevated presepsin levels in the blood could serve as early indicators of infections, particularly in the feet. The study analyzed patient files categorized by factors such as calcification level, vascular site of diabetic foot, ischemia stage, and the grading system developed by the University of Texas, which classifies cases based on the depth of ulcer penetration. Blood samples were taken from 194 patients and mixed with magnetic particles designed to bind to presepsin, forming a “sandwich” that measures the presepsin concentration in the blood. The results indicated that groups with severe infections or higher grades in the ranking system exhibited significantly higher levels of presepsin.
Yeun-Ha’s et al. work provides evidence that early detection of presepsin levels in the blood can help identify infections in diabetic patients, allowing for timely preventive measures against complications like foot ulcers. This can help improve patient outcomes and reduce the severity of future issues. This highlights concerns about the mismanagement of hemoglobin levels in diabetic patients, often resulting from poor glucose control.
Body: The Effect of Curcumin on Reducing Atherogenic Risks in Obese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial
When people catch a common cold or experience muscle aches, their first choice is often not to take medication or undergo surgery, but to turn to home remedies like drinking tea. Turmeric, known for its compound curcumin, is a widely used spice recognized for its antimicrobial properties, effective against a broad range of bacteria. While diabetes itself isn’t caused by bacteria, turmeric’s anti-inflammatory effects can benefit patients at higher risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly in advanced stages of diabetes. Yaikwawong et al. (2024) conducted research on the benefits of incorporating curcumin into the daily regimen of diabetic patients. The study found that curcumin not only helped lower blood sugar levels but also improved pulse wave velocity, reduced waist circumference, and decreased cardiometabolic risks and insulin resistance. Overall, curcumin showed positive effects in diabetic patients, demonstrating that while it may not cure diabetes, it can help reduce its risks and complications in the future through natural remedies.
Yaikwawong (2024) ensures that cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death, primarily resulting from restricted blood flow caused by lipid and fat buildup in the arterial walls. While Type 2 diabetes does not directly cause this narrowing, it worsens the condition through mechanisms like hyperglycemia and inflammation, accelerating atherosclerosis and contributing to its progression. Results indicate that curcumin reduces PWV (pulse wave velocity) which is an important indicator of cardiovascular health. Elevated stiffness in the arteries such as due to the previously mentioned accumulation is associated with poor heart health, so curcumin works to loosen the arteries and allow for more flexibility to reduce any potential strain on the cardiovascular system.
Body: Treatment with Umbilical Cord Blood Platelet Lysate Gel Improves Healing of Diabetic Foot Ulcer
While diabetic foot ulcers cannot be fully reversed, it is possible to reduce their size, greatly enhancing the patient’s quality of life and reducing the burden on their feet. Similar to turmeric, there are natural healing agents in the body’s blood platelets. However, umbilical cord blood contains an abundance of platelet-rich plasma, which can accelerate the healing of wounds more effectively and improve the quality of recovery. In research conducted by Lambadiari et al. (2024) it was found that when treating patients that have DFU (Diabetic Foot Ulcers) with UCB-PL gel for a month as opposed to the standard treatment of saline dressings, there was a noticeable shrinkage in size and in the amount of people who generally noticed any sort of drastic change to begin with.
Some patients were excluded from participating in the experiment based on specific criteria, including pregnancy, having infected ulcers, or ulcers that exposed internal structures like muscle, tendon, or bone. Additionally, the experiment was not blinded, meaning patients were aware of the treatment they were receiving, which could potentially introduce bias into the results. These research findings support the broader idea that foot ulcers don’t have to be seen as a “catastrophic” or life-ending condition. It proves that the body has the ability to produce antibodies that can accelerate healing and reduce ulcer size, potentially avoiding more extreme medical interventions like amputations. There is clear evidence that man-made medicine is not the only option for healing. Lambadiari emphasizes that people often overlook the body’s natural ability to heal itself, as platelets are rich in growth factors that reduce inflammation and promote faster tissue repair. In this study, patients treated with UCB-PL gel for one month experienced a significant reduction in ulcer size, faster overall healing time, and a higher percentage achieved complete healing compared to those without this treatment.
Discussions
Yeun-Ha et al., Lambadiari et al., and Yaikawong et al. (2024) focus on the impact of diabetes in causing debilitating conditions, such as infections and heart issues, and explore ways to prevent these complications from worsening or developing in the first place. Lambadiari and Yaikwawong both investigate more “natural” approaches to healing diabetic patients with foot ulcers and potential heart problems, focusing on alternatives to medication or surgery. Their research highlights the use of turmeric and blood platelets, particularly those found in excess in umbilical cords, as potential treatments. In contrast, rather than emphasizing healing, Yeun-Ha focuses on preventive measures. Yeun-Ha’s research explores ways to detect infections early, even when nerve damage prevents patients from feeling the development of foot ulcers, by examining presepsin levels in the blood, which are linked to the severity of the ulcer.
Together, these articles highlight the importance of managing diabetes through improved health practices and innovative approaches, offering promising methods to reduce the chances of diabetes controlling one’s life and diminishing its quality. They all suggest that early intervention and the usage of natural healing methods are paramount to understanding what diabetes truly is, and the effect it has on patients. Diabetes is still currently being understood by the science community. Type 1 diabetes requires resetting the immune system’s response to beta cells, while Type 2 diabetes is often caused by poor diet and weight management. Although it cannot be cured, Type 2 diabetes can be made more manageable by focusing on patients’ nutrition, with new approaches like incorporating turmeric into their diets showing potential benefits.
In conclusion, the research reviewed emphasizes the significant impact that natural remedies and naturally occurring markers, such as presepsin, can have on managing diabetes. Many questions about diabetes remain unanswered, including the factors that contribute to its diagnosis and the reasons certain demographics are more susceptible. Many of these articles faced limitations regarding who qualified as viable candidates for the research, which restricted the findings to a smaller population. Ideally, future studies will eliminate these restrictions, allowing researchers to test whether a specific product or platelet can benefit the general population rather than a sole type of person.
What motivated you to choose this topic, and how did you approach the research process?
I chose this topic because diabetes is a prevalent illness in the United States, particularly within the South Asian community, due to a combination of genetic, environmental, and dietary factors. In my research, I focused on identifying ways to prevent diabetes from progressing and causing severe complications, such as the development of ulcers, a common side effect of advanced diabetes. To support this, I sought out three articles discussing methods to combat diabetes. While I successfully found two articles addressing preventive strategies, the third article focused on diagnosis through the use of presepsin.
What key themes or ideas stood out in the articles you reviewed, and how did you connect them in your synthesis?
As mentioned earlier, key themes in my research included diagnosis and overall management of diabetes. I discovered that managing diabetes involves not only controlling the disease itself but also addressing its associated symptoms, such as weight gain, often measured through waist circumference. The first article, authored by Yeun-Ha, discusses presepsin, a biomarker found in the blood. Elevated levels of presepsin can indicate the potential development of ulcers. The second article, by Yaikwawong, highlights the benefits of turmeric as a natural remedy for managing diabetes. It explains how turmeric can lower blood sugar levels and decrease insulin resistance, among other advantages. The third article, authored by Lambadiari and his team, explores the use of natural healing agents found in umbilical cord blood. They propose it as an alternative to saline dressings for treating foot ulcers, citing its ability to promote faster and more effective healing.
How did writing the literature review improve your understanding of the topic?
Writing this literature review gave me an opportunity to deepen my understanding of Type Two diabetes and the severe consequences that can arise from mismanagement. Initially, I felt a sense of frustration toward the scientific community for not yet finding a cure. While this may seem naïve, witnessing the agony my family has endured due to diabetes—along with the reliance on treatments that often alter mental and physical well-being—was deeply unsettling. However, through this process, I’ve come to realize that constant advancements are being made; they just aren’t widely discussed. It’s up to us to take the initiative to research and stay informed about the progress happening in this field.
What gaps in the research did you identify, and how could these gaps be addressed in future studies?
At first, I observed that all the studies primarily focused on a specific demographic: obese individuals with type 2 diabetes and foot ulcers. Over time, it became evident that these factors often overlap—those with a healthy weight and type 2 diabetes are less likely to develop ulcers, although exceptions do exist. This observation also made me wonder how these findings might apply to individuals with type 1 diabetes.
I also noticed certain exclusions in the research, such as participants who were pregnant or had ulcers exposing internal structures. Furthermore, it’s important to note that the experiments involving umbilical cord platelets were not blinded, which may have influenced the outcomes.
How could this literature review serve as a foundation for future science communication efforts?
It underscores the need to present complex medical research—such as the role of biomarkers like presepsin, natural remedies like turmeric, and innovative treatments like umbilical cord platelets—in a way that is accessible and actionable for diverse audiences. Science communicators must recognize that type 2 diabetes affects more than just scientists, so it’s essential for everyone to understand how certain treatments could benefit them. This means that scientific literature should be accessible and relatable to the average person, ensuring communities are educated about prevention, management, and emerging treatments.
