Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 13, 2026

Modulating Shape of Polyester Based Polymersomes using Osmotic Pressure
Published on: April 21, 2021
Star-shaped polyester-based elastomers as an implantable delivery system for insulin: Development, pharmacokinetics,
Fangyuan Guo1, Dongxue Huang1, Wei Zhang2
1College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China.
Abstract:
Elastomers are largely developed for biomedical applications; however, little is reported on them although they are an effective and controllable delivery system for proteins. In the present study, we investigated the pharmacokinetics, biosecurity, and hypoglycemic effect of an insulin-loaded elastomer formulation in diabetic rats. Cylindrical insulin-loaded elastomers were fabricated using a UV cross-linking process based on methyl-acrylic-star-poly(ε-caprolactone-co-D,L-lactide) cyclic ester and methyl-bi-acrylic-poly(ε-caprolactone-b-polyethylene glycol-b-ε-caprolactone) (CLPEGCLMA). The encapsulated insulin was well protected during the formulation. An in vitro pharmacokinetic study revealed that the rate of insulin release from the elastomers was affected by the hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of the system and controlled by the CLPEGCLMA (hydrophilic prepolymer) composition. It was observed that insulin release followed the Higuchi model. In addition, the more hydrophilic elastomers showed higher degradation rates in vivo. Furthermore, in the pharmacodynamic study, all the elastomers, except those that contained star-poly(ε-caprolactone-co-D,L-lactide) (number-average molecular weight, Mn), polyethylene glycol (PEG) (kMn), ε-caprolactone/PEG (mol/mol), and CLPEGCLMA (weight, %) at a ratio of 3432:10:20:30, respectively, decreased blood glucose concentration and maintained it at a stable level. It was observed that the hypoglycemic effect of the drug-loaded elastomers was directly proportional to the rate of in vitro insulin release; however, emaciation was not observed. Moreover, elastomers play a positive role in biosecurity. Therefore, the elastomers might be effective carriers for the delivery of peptide drugs in the form of implants.
Related Concept Videos
Pharmacokinetic–Pharmacodynamic Relationship: Problems
Pharmacokinetic–Pharmacodynamic Relationship: Dose to Pharmacological Effect
Pharmacokinetic–Pharmacodynamic Relationship: Model Components
Pharmacokinetic–Pharmacodynamic Relationship: Exposure, Response and Effect
Insulin Formulations: Types and Delivery
Short-acting insulins are divided into...
Pharmacokinetic–Pharmacodynamic Relationship: Duration of Dose-Effect Relationship

