Effects of a sperminated gelatin on the nasal absorption of insulin

The effects of a sperminated gelatin (SG), which was prepared as a candidate absorption enhancer by the addition of spermine to gelatin, on the nasal absorption of insulin, were examined in rats. The AUC of immuno-reactive insulin levels in the plasma after nasal administration of insulin were increased 5.3-fold by addition of 0.2% SG, and the plasma glucose levels fell in a manner dependent on the insulin levels. In Calu-3 cell monolayer permeation experiments, SG showed significant enhancing effects on 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (CF), FITC-dextran (MW 4400, FD4) and insulin. Evaluation of the tight junctions in the Calu-3 cell monolayers based on the Renkin molecular sieving function suggests that the pore occupancy/length ratio of the permeation pathways for water-soluble molecules in the tight junctions increases, while the equivalent cylindrical pore radius is not changed by SG treatment. SG may transform the true tight junctions, which act as a barrier for water-soluble molecules, into pathways for CF and FD4 to increase their number. SG is a good candidate for a safe absorption enhancer to produce a slight modification of the permeability of the paracellular pathway of mucosal membranes, while retaining the sieving property of the epithelial membranes.