ETH Zurich implant uses electricity to lower excess blood sugar in diabetes test

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed an implantable device that uses electricity to break down excess blood sugar, offering a potential new approach to treating diabetes without medication. The system, named "Echo," was tested successfully in mice with type 2 diabetes. The implant converts excess glucose into gluconate, which is excreted through urine, and activates only when blood sugar levels exceed a set threshold via a connected glucose sensor. In tests, elevated blood sugar levels in obese diabetic mice normalized within an hour, with no tissue damage observed. Experts call the electronic control innovative but note it doesn't address underlying insulin deficiency, and human applicability remains uncertain due to larger blood volume and unknown implant size requirements. Further research is needed on durability, infection risks, and metabolic effects before it could become a medical product.