![This is a research and development version of oral insulin capsules. Source: University of Sydney/Stefanie Zingsheim. Nanotech opens the future of insulin drugs](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800a/2024/nanotech-opens-door-to.jpg)
This is a research and development version of oral insulin capsules. Source: University of Sydney/Stefanie Zingsheim.
An international team led by Australian researchers has developed a system using nanotechnology that could allow people with diabetes to take oral insulin in the future. Researchers say the new insulin could be ingested by taking a tablet or smearing it on a piece of chocolate.
The new nanocarrier, tested in mouse, rat and baboon animal models, may help people with diabetes avoid side effects associated with insulin injections, such as hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels when too much insulin is injected).
These animal studies have shown that the biggest advantage of nanoscale materials is that they can respond to blood sugar levels in the body. The coating dissolves and releases insulin when blood glucose concentrations are high and, importantly, does not release insulin in a low-glycemic environment.
The new oral insulin uses nano-sized materials that are 1/10,000th the thickness of a human hair. This substance acts similarly to the acid-resistant coating on tablets, preventing them from being destroyed by stomach acid. But this new coating instead surrounds individual insulin molecules and becomes a “nanocarrier.” In other words, it acts like a courier, transporting the body's insulin molecules to where they are needed.
The research results are natural nanotechnology.
There are an estimated 422 million people with diabetes worldwide, about 75 million of whom inject insulin daily. Approximately 1.5 million people die directly from diabetes every year. It is estimated that more than 1.3 million Australians will have diabetes in 2021.
Lead author Dr Nicholas Hunt, from the University of Sydney's School of Medicine, says developing safe and effective oral insulin has been a challenge since its discovery more than 100 years ago.
![This is a research and development version of oral insulin capsules. Source: University of Sydney/Stefanie Zingsheim. Nanotech opens the future of insulin drugs](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800a/2024/nanotech-opens-door-to-1.jpg)
This is a research and development version of oral insulin capsules. Source: University of Sydney/Stefanie Zingsheim.
“A big challenge facing the development of oral insulin is the low proportion of insulin that reaches the bloodstream through oral administration or insulin injection,” said Dr Hunt and Charles, who are also members of the University of Sydney Nano Institute. Perkins Center.
“To address this issue, we developed a nanocarrier that significantly increased the absorbance of nanoinsulin in the intestine when tested on human intestinal tissue.”
Preclinical trials in animal models have shown that taking nanoinsulin can control blood sugar levels without hypoglycemia or weight gain. It wasn't toxic either.
“Our oral insulin also has the added benefit of significantly reducing the risk of developing hypoglycemia,” Dr Hunt said. “For the first time, we have developed oral insulin that overcomes these major obstacles.”
Human trials are expected to begin in 2025, led by spin-out company Endo Axiom Pty Ltd.
Endo Axiom Pty Ltd was founded by Professor Victoria Cogger, Professor David Le Couteur AO and Dr Nicholas Hunt after 20 years of research.
Dr Hunt and his team were driven to develop oral insulin technology because it could help reduce the economic, health and wellbeing burden associated with managing diabetes in patients.
![Lead researchers Dr Nicholas Hunt and Professor Victoria Cogger. Source: University of Sydney/Stefanie Zingsheim. Nanotech opens the future of insulin drugs](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800a/2024/nanotech-opens-door-to-2.jpg)
Lead researchers Dr Nicholas Hunt and Professor Victoria Cogger. Source: University of Sydney/Stefanie Zingsheim.
“We wanted to invest time in developing a successful oral insulin technology because we believe this will help people with diabetes better control their condition.”
Professor Victoria Cogger, ANZAC Research Institute Director and lead author, said the development of oral insulin was the culmination of many years of scientific effort and collaboration.
“It’s amazing to see our research published and reaching clinical trials with the support of Endo Axiom, which could lead to a change in the way we treat a disease that affects so many people,” she said. said.
Professor Cogger said that when research into the development of oral insulin first began it was a purely scientific matter, but then a family member was affected by type 1 diabetes.
“Life is strange. Along the way, my family was affected by the diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes, and I began to really understand the realities of life on injectable insulin therapy.
“That lived experience propelled the project on many fronts and gave me the drive to improve the lives of all people living with diabetes. My hope is that we can reduce the multifaceted burden of diabetes through easily accessible oral insulin. “It exists.”
Additional information:
Nicholas J. Hunt et al., Oral nanotherapeutic formulation of insulin with reduced hypoglycemic episodes; natural nanotechnology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41565-023-01565-2
Provided by University of Sydney
Summons: Nanotech Opens the Door to the Future of Insulin Medication (May 4, 2024) 2024 5 from https://phys.org/news/2024-05-nanotech-door-future-insulin-medication.html Retrieved 5 days of the month
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