Nicolae Paulescu

Nicolae Paulescu (born October 30, 1869 – died July 17, 1931) was a Romanian physiologist, professor of medicine, and politician. He is best known for his contributions to the discovery of insulin, a hormone that regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats, particularly the absorption of glucose from the blood by the liver and muscles.

Early Life and Education

Paulescu was born in Bucharest, the capital of Romania. He completed his early education in his hometown before moving to Paris, France, to study medicine. He graduated from the University of Paris in 1897.

Career

After completing his studies, Paulescu returned to Romania and began working as a professor at the University of Bucharest. He conducted extensive research in the field of physiology, focusing on the pancreas and its role in regulating blood sugar levels.

In 1921, Paulescu developed a pancreatic extract, which he called "pancreine", that had a significant effect on reducing blood sugar levels in dogs. This discovery laid the groundwork for the development of insulin, which is now used to treat diabetes.

Political Career

In addition to his medical career, Paulescu was also involved in politics. He was a member of the Romanian National Party and served as a senator in the Romanian Parliament.

Legacy

Despite his significant contributions to the field of medicine, Paulescu's work was overshadowed by the discovery of insulin by Frederick Banting and Charles Best in Canada. However, his work is still recognized in Romania and he was posthumously awarded the Romanian Academy Award in 1993.

See Also

• Insulin
• Diabetes
• University of Bucharest
• Romanian Academy Award

References

Nicolae Paulescu Resources
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