Nicolae C. Paulescu1869-1931Nicolae C. Paulescu1869-1931

Antonia Cornejo Campos

English Practice I

Universidad de las Américas

Antonia Cornejo Campos

English Practice I

Universidad de las Américas

Who was Nicolae Who was Nicolae Paulescu?Paulescu?Who was Nicolae Who was Nicolae Paulescu?Paulescu?

Nicolae was a Romanian physiologist, professor of medicine, politician, and the discoverer of insulin, which he called pancreine, an extract of bovine pancreas in salted water, after which some impurites were removed with hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide. He was also, with Alexandru Cuza, co-founder of the National Christian Union and later, of the National-Christian Defense League in Romania.

Nicolae was a Romanian physiologist, professor of medicine, politician, and the discoverer of insulin, which he called pancreine, an extract of bovine pancreas in salted water, after which some impurites were removed with hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide. He was also, with Alexandru Cuza, co-founder of the National Christian Union and later, of the National-Christian Defense League in Romania.

The life of Nicolae The life of Nicolae PaulescuPaulescuThe life of Nicolae The life of Nicolae PaulescuPaulescu

He was born on October 30,1869 in Bucharest, Romania.

He learned French, Latin and Ancient Greek at an early age and as a young student, Paulescu developed an interest in the arts and in the natural, physical, and chemical sciences.

In 1888 he went to Paris to study medicine, and three years later he took a post as a nonresident medical student at the Hôtel-Dieu de Paris. There he worked with French physician Étienne Lancereaux, who was the first to suggest that diabetes mellitus originated in the pancreas, and with French scientist Albert Dastre, who had studied with Claude Bernard, the renowned physiologist who discovered the role of the pancreas in digestion.

He was born on October 30,1869 in Bucharest, Romania.

He learned French, Latin and Ancient Greek at an early age and as a young student, Paulescu developed an interest in the arts and in the natural, physical, and chemical sciences.

In 1888 he went to Paris to study medicine, and three years later he took a post as a nonresident medical student at the Hôtel-Dieu de Paris. There he worked with French physician Étienne Lancereaux, who was the first to suggest that diabetes mellitus originated in the pancreas, and with French scientist Albert Dastre, who had studied with Claude Bernard, the renowned physiologist who discovered the role of the pancreas in digestion.

In 1901, after having received a degree in medicine (1897) and doctorates in physiology (1898) and the natural sciences (1899) from the University of Paris, Paulescu returned to Romania, where he joined the faculty of medicine at the University of Bucharest. There he undertook studies in experimental physiology and in 1903 published with Lancereaux Traité de Médecine, Nosologie (“Treaty of Medicine, Nosology”), the first of a four-volume series on disease and physiology (the other three volumes were published in 1906, 1912, and 1930). Several years later, Paulescu published a paper in which he described a new procedure for the surgical removal of the pituitary gland that favoured improved patient survival. 

In 1901, after having received a degree in medicine (1897) and doctorates in physiology (1898) and the natural sciences (1899) from the University of Paris, Paulescu returned to Romania, where he joined the faculty of medicine at the University of Bucharest. There he undertook studies in experimental physiology and in 1903 published with Lancereaux Traité de Médecine, Nosologie (“Treaty of Medicine, Nosology”), the first of a four-volume series on disease and physiology (the other three volumes were published in 1906, 1912, and 1930). Several years later, Paulescu published a paper in which he described a new procedure for the surgical removal of the pituitary gland that favoured improved patient survival. 

Discovering the pancreine Discovering the pancreine (insulin)(insulin)Discovering the pancreine Discovering the pancreine (insulin)(insulin)

Between 1914 and 1916, Paulescu worked to identify the active pancreatic substance that the earlier research of German physiologist and pathologist Oskar Minkowski and German physician Joseph von Mering had suggested could be used to treat diabetes. By 1916, Paulescu reportedly had isolated the substance, which he called “pancrein” (or “pancreine”; now considered to have been insulin). (Paulescu reported the discovery himself in a 1921 paper.) After injecting the extract into the jugular veins of diabetic dogs, he found that the dogs’ abnormally high blood glucose levels were temporarily returned to normal. Shortly after completing the experiments, he was called to service in the Romanian army.

Between 1914 and 1916, Paulescu worked to identify the active pancreatic substance that the earlier research of German physiologist and pathologist Oskar Minkowski and German physician Joseph von Mering had suggested could be used to treat diabetes. By 1916, Paulescu reportedly had isolated the substance, which he called “pancrein” (or “pancreine”; now considered to have been insulin). (Paulescu reported the discovery himself in a 1921 paper.) After injecting the extract into the jugular veins of diabetic dogs, he found that the dogs’ abnormally high blood glucose levels were temporarily returned to normal. Shortly after completing the experiments, he was called to service in the Romanian army.

After World War I, he resumed his research.

From April 24 to June 23 1921, Paulescu published four papers at the Romanian Section of the Society of Biology in Paris:

The effect of the pancreatic extract injected into a diabetic animal by way of the blood.

The influence of the time elapsed from the intravenous pancreatic injection into a diabetic animal.

The effect of the pancreatic extract injected into a normal animal by way of the blood.

And the last, the most comprehensive report – Research on the Role of the Pancreas in Food Assimilation – was submitted by Paulescu on June 22 to the Archives Internationales de Physiologie in Liège, Belgium, and was published in the August 1921 issue of this journal.

After World War I, he resumed his research.

From April 24 to June 23 1921, Paulescu published four papers at the Romanian Section of the Society of Biology in Paris:

The effect of the pancreatic extract injected into a diabetic animal by way of the blood.

The influence of the time elapsed from the intravenous pancreatic injection into a diabetic animal.

The effect of the pancreatic extract injected into a normal animal by way of the blood.

And the last, the most comprehensive report – Research on the Role of the Pancreas in Food Assimilation – was submitted by Paulescu on June 22 to the Archives Internationales de Physiologie in Liège, Belgium, and was published in the August 1921 issue of this journal.

In the same year (1921), the Canadian physician Frederick Banting and medical student Charles H. Best, who had discovered an active substance in pancreatic extracts, injected the substance into a diabetic dog and found that it effectively lowered the dog’s blood glucose levels. While Paulescu struggled and ultimately failed to purify pancreine (he obtained only a partially purified extract), Banting and Best, working with Canadian chemist James B. Collip and Scottish physiologist J.J.R. Macleod, successfully purified their extract. In January 1922, the Canadian team formally tested the purified substance in a human subject and immediately thereafter published their findings. In April 10, 1922, Paulescu applied for a patent on pancreine and its method of manufacture, and it was awarded by the Minister of Industry and Trade of Romania - patent no. 6254.

In the same year (1921), the Canadian physician Frederick Banting and medical student Charles H. Best, who had discovered an active substance in pancreatic extracts, injected the substance into a diabetic dog and found that it effectively lowered the dog’s blood glucose levels. While Paulescu struggled and ultimately failed to purify pancreine (he obtained only a partially purified extract), Banting and Best, working with Canadian chemist James B. Collip and Scottish physiologist J.J.R. Macleod, successfully purified their extract. In January 1922, the Canadian team formally tested the purified substance in a human subject and immediately thereafter published their findings. In April 10, 1922, Paulescu applied for a patent on pancreine and its method of manufacture, and it was awarded by the Minister of Industry and Trade of Romania - patent no. 6254.

AND THE NOBEL PRIZE GOES TO…

In 1923 two other scientists were to be recognized as the creators of insulin: doctor Frederick Grant Banting and biochemist John James Richard Macleod with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of insulin treatment.

Curiously enough, in 1921 Banting started performing the experiments that led to the “discovery of insulin” on dogs, inspired by the early works of Polish-German physician Oscar Minkowski who in 1889 removed the pancreas from a healthy dog to test its assumed role in digestion.

By the time Banting isolated insulin, Paulescu already held a patent for its discovery. Moreover, Banting was familiar with Paulescu’s work.

Thinking about other reasons?

AND THE NOBEL PRIZE GOES TO…

In 1923 two other scientists were to be recognized as the creators of insulin: doctor Frederick Grant Banting and biochemist John James Richard Macleod with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of insulin treatment.

Curiously enough, in 1921 Banting started performing the experiments that led to the “discovery of insulin” on dogs, inspired by the early works of Polish-German physician Oscar Minkowski who in 1889 removed the pancreas from a healthy dog to test its assumed role in digestion.

By the time Banting isolated insulin, Paulescu already held a patent for its discovery. Moreover, Banting was familiar with Paulescu’s work.

Thinking about other reasons?

Nobel Prize ControversyNobel Prize ControversyNobel Prize ControversyNobel Prize Controversy

He uses Paulescu’s “Research on the Role of the Pancreas in Food Assimilation” as reference in the paper that brought him the Nobel, although he misquotes:He states that injections into peripheral veins produce no effect and his experiments show that second injections do not produce such marked effect as the first

Banting’s “excuse”:I regret very much that there was an error in our translation of Professor Paulescu’s article, I cannot recollect, after this length of time, exactly what happened (…) I do not remember whether we relied on our own poor French or whether we had a translation made. In any case I would like to state how sorry I am for this unfortunate error (…)

Professor Ian Murray was particularly active in working to correct "the historical wrong" against Paulescu. In an article for a 1971 issue of the Journal of the History of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Murray wrote:

“Insufficient recognition has been given to Paulescu, the distinguished Romanian scientist, who at the time when the Toronto team were commencing their research had already succeeded in extracting the antidiabetic hormone of the pancreas and proving its efficacy in reducing the hyperglycemia in diabetic dogs”.

"In a recent private communication Professor Tiselius, head of the Nobel Institute, has expressed his personal opinion that Paulesco was equally worthy of the award in 1923."

Professor Ian Murray was particularly active in working to correct "the historical wrong" against Paulescu. In an article for a 1971 issue of the Journal of the History of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Murray wrote:

“Insufficient recognition has been given to Paulescu, the distinguished Romanian scientist, who at the time when the Toronto team were commencing their research had already succeeded in extracting the antidiabetic hormone of the pancreas and proving its efficacy in reducing the hyperglycemia in diabetic dogs”.

"In a recent private communication Professor Tiselius, head of the Nobel Institute, has expressed his personal opinion that Paulesco was equally worthy of the award in 1923."

Recognition after 50 Recognition after 50 yearsyears

Paulescu died in 1931 in Bucharest. In 1990, he was elected posthumously as member of the Romanian Academy. In 1993, the Institute of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases

in Bucharest was named in his honor (Institutul de Diabet, Nutriţie şi Boli Metabolice "N. C. Paulescu"). The Institute was renamed on March 3 1993, by the Ministry of Health Decree no. 273, at the initiative of Prof. Dr. Iulian Mincu.

Paulescu was also honored on a postage stamp issued by Romania in 1994. The stamp is one in a set of seven stamps honoring famous Romanians.

In 2005, the Executive Board of the International Diabetes Federation decided that “The International Diabetes Federation would not be associated with Nicolae Paulescu and there would be no Paulescu Lecture at World Diabetes Congresses should such a request be received".

In 2002 the Paulescu Institute (a diabetes research institute) was inaugurated, and a statue of Paulescu was unveiled at the University of Bucharest.

Paulescu died in 1931 in Bucharest. In 1990, he was elected posthumously as member of the Romanian Academy. In 1993, the Institute of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases

in Bucharest was named in his honor (Institutul de Diabet, Nutriţie şi Boli Metabolice "N. C. Paulescu"). The Institute was renamed on March 3 1993, by the Ministry of Health Decree no. 273, at the initiative of Prof. Dr. Iulian Mincu.

Paulescu was also honored on a postage stamp issued by Romania in 1994. The stamp is one in a set of seven stamps honoring famous Romanians.

In 2005, the Executive Board of the International Diabetes Federation decided that “The International Diabetes Federation would not be associated with Nicolae Paulescu and there would be no Paulescu Lecture at World Diabetes Congresses should such a request be received".

In 2002 the Paulescu Institute (a diabetes research institute) was inaugurated, and a statue of Paulescu was unveiled at the University of Bucharest.

HonorsHonorsHonorsHonors

ConclusionConclusionConclusionConclusion

Some have wondered why Paulescu did not receive a share of the 1923 Nobel Prize. For that matter, why didn’t Best and Collip get a share? Or the many others whose work facilitated the discovery of insulin? There is no clear answer to these questions. All we do know is that the discovery couldn’t come soon enough and that today, thanks to the work of many scientists, persons suffering from diabetes are able to live long and productive lives.

Some have wondered why Paulescu did not receive a share of the 1923 Nobel Prize. For that matter, why didn’t Best and Collip get a share? Or the many others whose work facilitated the discovery of insulin? There is no clear answer to these questions. All we do know is that the discovery couldn’t come soon enough and that today, thanks to the work of many scientists, persons suffering from diabetes are able to live long and productive lives.

QuizQuizQuizQuiz

Now lets watch a video…Now lets watch a video…Now lets watch a video…Now lets watch a video…

https://vimeo.com/99779430