Novel microneedle patches for active insulin delivery are efficient in maintaining glycaemic control: an initial
Lina Nordquist1, Niclas Roxhed, Patrick Griss
1Department of Medical Cell Biology, Division of Integrative Physiology, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. Lina.Nordquist@medcellbiol.uu.se
Purpose:
Good glycaemic control is essential to minimize the risk for diabetes-induced complications. Also, compliance is likely to be higher if the procedure is simple and painless. This study was designed to validate painless intradermal delivery via a patch-like microneedle array.
Materials And Methods:
Diabetes was induced by an intravenous injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg bw) in adult male Sprague Dawley rats. Plasma insulin and blood glucose were measured before, during and after subcutaneous or intradermal (microneedles) infusion of insulin (0.2 IU/h) under Inactin-anaesthesia.
Results:
Before insulin administration, all animals displayed a pronounced hyperglycaemia (19 +/- 1 mM; 359 mg/dl). Administration of insulin resulted in a reduced plasma glucose independently of administration route (subcutaneous 7.5 +/- 4.2, n = 9, and intradermal 11 +/- 1.8, n = 9 after 240 min), but with less errors of the mean in the intradermal group. In the intradermal group, plasma insulin was increased in all latter measurements (72 +/- 22, 81 +/- 34, and 87 +/- 20 microIU/ml), as compared to the first measurement (26 +/- 13). In the subcutaneous group, plasma insulin was elevated during the last measurement (to 154 +/- 3.5 microIU/ml from 21 +/- 18).
Conclusion:
This study presents a novel possibility of insulin delivery that is controllable and requires minimal training. This treatment strategy could improve compliance, and thus be beneficial for patients' glycaemic control.
More Related Videos
08:26Dissolving Microneedle Array Patches Manufactured By Solvent Casting Technique and Essential Characterization of Microneedle-Based Biomedical Devices
Published on: January 30, 2026
07:41Fabrication and Characterization of Microneedle Patches for Loading and Delivery of Exosomes
Published on: July 12, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Insulin Formulations: Types and Delivery
Short-acting insulins are divided into rapid-acting...
Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Glinides
Drug Delivery: Miscellaneous Routes
Oral inhalation and nasal sprays swiftly transfer drugs across the respiratory epithelium's mucosal layer. Inhaled glucocorticoids and bronchodilators directly target lung conditions such as asthma, while fluticasone nasal spray mitigates allergic rhinitis.
Transdermal patches transport drugs through the...
Drug Delivery: Parenteral Route
There are three primary parenteral routes: intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC). The IV route introduces the drug directly into the bloodstream, ensuring immediate action. The IM route...
Parenteral Drug Delivery Systems: Injectables, Implants, and Infusion Devices
