Treatment of diabetes by injection of nanoparticles

US scientists have discovered a new way of treating diabetes - injecting nanoparticles helps maintain normal blood glucose levels for more than a week.

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Insulin injections are the usual method for treating diabetes. However, this method must be used several times a day and the risk of health effects is high if the dose is incorrect. With the new method - injecting nanoparticles - these problems will be solved completely. This method is based on the mechanism of releasing insulin in the nano network when blood sugar levels rise above the permitted level.

This nano-network is made up of a mixture of nanoparticles with a solid core or insulin, dextran (a substance used to replace blood plasma) and glucose oxidase. When blood glucose levels rise, enzymes convert glucose into gluconic acid, breaking down dextran, releasing insulin. Gluconic acid and dextran are biologically compatible with each other and will be dissolved in the body while insulin will lower blood sugar to normal levels.

These nanoparticles have biocompatible coating that is negatively or positively charged so that when mixed, they will attract each other to form a nano network. Positive charge coatings are made of chitosan, a substance found in shrimp shells while negative charge coatings are made of alginate, a substance commonly found in seaweed.

Dr. Zhen Gu, assistant professor in a collaborative biomedical engineering program between North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said: 'This technology creates a self-mimicking system. pancreatic activity in a healthy person, releasing insulin to stabilize blood sugar levels. It helps improve the health and quality of life for diabetics ".

This technology was developed by researchers at North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Children's Hospital Boston. This method has been tested to work to maintain normal blood glucose levels for more than a week for animals. Currently, researchers are continuing to improve to advance clinical trials on humans.