Intelligent nanotechnology delivers insulin on demand
2023-03-20
According to a preclinical study published in the new issue of the journal Advanced Materials, Australian scientists have designed an advanced artificial pancreas system that accurately and subtly releases insulin only when the body really needs it, making blood sugar control more reliable. Current insulin therapy requires patients to monitor their blood sugar throughout the day and inject carefully calculated doses multiple times based on changes in food intake, exercise, stress, disease, and other factors. This results in some people having to inject themselves up to five times a day. Although continuous blood glucose monitoring devices can eliminate or reduce finger punctures, and insulin pumps can automatically deliver insulin, they are very expensive and still cannot calculate the correct amount of insulin. A multidisciplinary team led by Monash University has developed a new "artificial pancreas system" that uses plant glycogen nanoparticles, known as "nano sugar platforms" because they are made of glucose and can transport and release pancreatic islet hormone based on the glucose level in the blood. The engineered nano sugar platform can achieve rapid and sustained glucose responsive insulin delivery, which is more durable and intelligent than other systems. The researchers say the system means fewer injections and may no longer require measuring glucose levels. Patients generally need only one injection every 12 hours and can adjust themselves. The nano sugar platform is also biodegradable. The nano sugar particles are designed to control the release of insulin and absorb it into the blood through the lymphatic system. Research shows that it can achieve rapid glucose control in two different types of diabetes models through a single injection. The research team believes that this new method is not only efficient, but also biodegradable. It uses natural methods, significantly reducing the likelihood of adverse effects or immune reactions. They hope that the project can eventually undergo clinical trials. [Editor in Chief] Worldwide, the number of patients with diabetes is staggering. In addition to having to "give up" on many foods, many diabetes patients also have to endure continuous pain: prick their fingers to monitor blood sugar, and then inject insulin. Obviously, these populations urgently need medical products and programs that can monitor and control blood sugar more conveniently and cheaply. At present, this practical demand has received widespread attention, and some experimental products and solutions have been continuously launched, but most of them are between convenience and low cost, which is still difficult to achieve a balance. To solve this difficult problem, there is a long way to go. (Liao Xinshe)
Edit:Ying Ying Responsible editor:Shen Chen
Source:digitalpaper.stdaily.com
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