Stories tagged Hydrogels

No needles insulin
Courtesy Aki Hanninen

Using needles is a pain

Injecting insulin with needles must be a pain for those with diabetes. Non-needle insulin delivery like inhalers or skin patches have not made it to market. Insulin via pills have failed because stomach acid destroys the insulin.

Stomach-proof gel hints at jab-free diabetes treatment

A new flexible hydrogel, when formed into 100 nanometer particles, can soak up insulin. The insulin within its cage-like structure is resistant to the biodegrading effects of stomach acid or enzymes. In a non-acid environment (like the intestines), the hydrogel swells and releases its insulin payload. When coated with a wheat-germ protein called agglutinin, the nanoparticles stick to the cells in the upper small intestine and helps the insulin get through the intestinal wall and into the blood stream. Animal trials of the gel are planned to start soon.

Sources:
New Scientist Tech
American Chemical Society (Abstract of paper published in Biomacromolecules)

Tags : health, nano, nanotechnology, diabetes, insulin, needles, Nicholas Peppas, University of Texas, Hydrogels, drug delivery

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