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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
09:39
Injectable Supramolecular Polymer-Nanoparticle Hydrogels for Cell and Drug Delivery Applications
Published on: February 7, 2021
Controlled release of insulin from pH/temperature-sensitive injectable pentablock copolymer hydrogel
Dai Phu Huynh1, Guang Jin Im, Su Young Chae
1Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do 440-746, Republic of Korea.
Summary
This study introduces a novel injectable hydrogel for sustained insulin delivery. The pH/temperature-sensitive system effectively controlled blood glucose in diabetic rats for over a week with a single injection.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus requires effective insulin therapy.
- Current insulin delivery methods face challenges with sustained release and patient compliance.
- Development of advanced hydrogel systems is crucial for improved diabetes management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a pH- and temperature-sensitive pentablock copolymer hydrogel as a sustained injectable insulin delivery system.
- To investigate the in vivo insulin release profile and therapeutic efficacy in a diabetic rat model.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a poly(beta-amino ester)-poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-poly(beta-amino ester) (PAE-PCL-PEG-PCL-PAE) pentablock copolymer.
- Loading insulin into the hydrogel matrix to form an insulin-PAE complex.
- Subcutaneous injection of insulin-copolymer complexes into Sprague-Dawley rats and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.
- Monitoring of in vivo insulin release, blood glucose levels, and plasma insulin levels.
Main Results:
- The hydrogel system demonstrated sustained insulin release, maintaining steady-state levels for up to 15 days in vivo.
- Insulin release was controllable by the amount of insulin loaded and copolymer concentration.
- A single subcutaneous injection of the insulin-hydrogel complex successfully treated STZ-induced diabetic rats for over one week.
Conclusions:
- The PAE-PCL-PEG-PCL-PAE pentablock copolymer hydrogel shows significant potential as a sustained injectable insulin delivery system.
- This pH/temperature-sensitive hydrogel complex offers a promising therapeutic strategy for managing diabetes.
- Further research may lead to improved insulin therapy with enhanced patient compliance and glycemic control.
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