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Updated: Feb 28, 2026

Injectable Supramolecular Polymer-Nanoparticle Hydrogels for Cell and Drug Delivery Applications
Published on: February 7, 2021
Glucose- and temperature-sensitive nanoparticles for insulin delivery.
Jun-Zi Wu1, Gareth R Williams2, He-Yu Li1
1College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
New glucose- and temperature-sensitive polymers form nanoparticles that effectively deliver insulin. These smart nanoparticles offer sustained release and manage blood glucose levels in diabetic models.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Developing smart drug delivery systems for chronic diseases like diabetes is crucial.
- Existing insulin delivery methods often lack precise glucose responsiveness and sustained release.
- Stimuli-responsive polymers offer potential for targeted and controlled therapeutic release.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize glucose- and temperature-sensitive polymers for insulin delivery.
- To develop self-assembled nanoparticles (NPs) from these polymers for enhanced drug encapsulation and release.
- To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo performance of insulin-loaded NPs in a diabetic model.
Main Methods:
- Reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization was used to synthesize poly(3-acrylamidophenyl boronic acid-b-diethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate) (p(AAPBA-b-DEGMA)).
- Polymer characterization included 1H NMR, FTIR, DSC, and GPC.
- Nanoparticles were formed, characterized (size, zeta potential), loaded with insulin, and drug release kinetics were studied under varying glucose concentrations and temperatures.
- In vitro and in vivo toxicity and efficacy studies were conducted using a murine hyperglycemic diabetes model.
Main Results:
- p(AAPBA-b-DEGMA) polymers exhibited temperature sensitivity with lower critical solution temperatures between 12°C-47°C.
- Self-assembled NPs showed tunable size and zeta potential in response to temperature and glucose.
- Insulin encapsulation efficiency was ~70% with a loading capacity of ~15%.
- Insulin release was successfully controlled by temperature and glucose levels.
- The NPs demonstrated excellent biocompatibility (in vitro and in vivo) and effectively reduced blood glucose levels for 48 hours in a diabetic mouse model.
Conclusions:
- Glucose- and temperature-sensitive p(AAPBA-b-DEGMA) polymers can form effective insulin-loaded nanoparticles.
- These NPs provide a sustained-release profile and respond to physiological glucose and temperature changes.
- The developed system shows significant potential as a novel formulation for improved insulin delivery and diabetes management.
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