TUESDAY, Jan. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- A smart extendin-4 (Ex4) delivery device is a promising therapeutic option for type 2 diabetes that can provide safe, long-term, and on-demand Ex4 therapy, according to a study published online Nov. 24 in Nature Communications.
Noting that delivery of therapeutic peptides for diabetes therapy is compromised by short half-lives of drugs, Wei Chen, Ph.D., from Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center in Guangzhou, China, and colleagues examined the role of a smart Ex4 delivery device based on microneedle (MN)-array patches integrated with dual mineralized particles that separately contain Ex4 and glucose oxidase (GOx) for diabetes therapy.
The researchers found that as a result of the differential response to the microenvironment induced by biological stimuli, the dual mineralized particle-based system can specifically release Ex4 while immobilizing GOx. Thereby the system allows glucose-responsive and closed-loop release to significantly improve the therapeutic performance of Ex4. The mechanical strength of alginate-based MN can be enhanced by integration of mineralized particles by crosslinking to facilitate skin penetration, supporting transdermal administration that is painless and noninvasive.
"We believe this smart glucose-responsive Ex4 delivery holds great promise for type 2 diabetes therapy by providing safe, long-term, and on-demand Ex4 therapy," the authors write.
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