Wireless implant lowers blood sugar and aids weight loss in mice

A wireless implant that removes excess sugar from the blood has successfully treated diabetes and obesity in mice, potentially offering a drug-free alternative for humans. The device restored normal blood sugar within 60 to 90 minutes and led to weight loss in treated animals. The 3-centimeter implant uses a catalyst of gold and platinum to convert glucose into gluconate, which is flushed out through urine. Researchers reported the findings in Science, noting treated mice lost up to 10 percent of their body weight over six weeks and showed lower triglyceride levels. Experts caution that significant risks remain, including potential kidney strain from gluconate buildup and electrolyte depletion. The device must be tested in larger animals like pigs and sheep before human trials, and scaling it up for human glucose consumption presents a major challenge.