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Using Dextran-encapsulated gold nanoparticles as insulin carriers to prolong insulin activity
Kai-Chieh Lee1, Wen-Jie Chen1, Yu-Chie Chen1
1Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan.
Aim:
Diabetes mellitus is commonly treated with painful insulin injections. We aim to explore drug carriers that can prolong insulin activity.
Materials & Methods:
Dextran-encapsulated gold NPs (AuNPs@Dextran) that can bind with insulin are used as insulin carriers. The affinity (K d = ∼42 pM) between insulin and insulin receptors on the cells is much higher than that (K d = ∼4.02 μM) of insulin and AuNPs@Dextran. Thus, insulin released from the AuNP@Dextran-insulin conjugates to maintain kinetic equilibrium and prefers to bind to the insulin receptor. The slow release of insulin from the AuNP@Dextran-insulin conjugates facilitates the lasting of insulin activity.
Results & Discussion:
AuNP@Dextran-insulin conjugates can prolong insulin activity to 12 h, whereas free form insulin loses activity after 4 h in adipocyte cells.
Conclusion:
AuNPs@Dextran are suitable carriers that can prolong insulin activity.
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