Related Experiment Videos
Bioactive polymers for biohybrid artificial pancreas
1Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry/CCCD, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112, USA.
Journal of Drug Targeting
|February 2, 2002
Summary
Researchers developed a rechargeable biohybrid artificial pancreas (BAP) using a synthetic extracellular matrix (ECM), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and oxygen-carrying polymers to improve islet cell function and viability.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Transplanted islets for artificial pancreas face challenges like low insulin secretion, limited lifespan, and aggregation.
- Existing biohybrid artificial pancreas (BAP) designs require improvements for rechargeability and enhanced islet function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate polymeric materials for a compact, rechargeable BAP.
- To address obstacles in islet transplantation for diabetes management.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized a reversible N-isopropylacrylamide copolymer as an extracellular matrix (ECM) with sol-gel properties near physiological temperature.
- Entrapped zinc-crystallized glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) with islets in a hollow fiber macrocapsule.
- Prepared cross-linked hemoglobin (Hb-C) for oxygen supply and entrapped it in microcapsules with islets.
Main Results:
- The synthetic ECM demonstrated islet compatibility and potential for a rechargeable BAP.
- Zinc-crystallized GLP-1 significantly enhanced insulin secretion (>85% increase) at high glucose concentrations.
- Hb-C improved islet viability and insulin secretion by enhancing oxygen supply.
Conclusions:
- The developed synthetic ECM, crystallized GLP-1, and Hb-C are promising components for a rechargeable BAP.
- These materials offer a basis for designing improved BAP devices to overcome current limitations in islet transplantation.