Painless Patch For Management Of Type 2 Diabetes

National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering have devised a biochemically formulated painless patch of dissolvable microneedles to be used in the management of type 2 diabetes. The formula composed of mineralized compounds in it respond automatically to manage glucose in blood chemistry. Researchers have been able to demonstrate proof of concept in studies with mice the chemicals interacting in the bloodstream regulating blood sugar for days at a time using the weekly dissolvable microneedle biochemically formulated patch as published in Nature Communications.

Insulin is a hormone that is made in the pancreas, which is secreted into the bloodstream to regulate glucose in response to food intake. It is needed to move the glucose from the bloodstream into the cells where it can be either converted to energy or stored. In cases of type 1 diabetes the body does not make insulin at all. Type 2 diabetes  progressively decreases the body’s ability to use or make insulin. Left untreated diabetes can result in nerve and vascular damage throughout the body, with debilitating impacts on the kidneys, feet, eyes, and heart. Estimated global incidences of diabetes is around 285 million people, with 90% being type 2 diabetes. Most require insulin therapy generally given via injections, which in half of the cases is not managed well. This new method may be a pain free way to overcome and improve this uncomfortable routine.

This experimental patch is a material called alginate which is a natural gum like substance that is extracted from brown algae that is pliable and soft, but not soft enough to prevent poking of the dermis. The alginate is mixed with therapeutic agents which are then poured into a microneedle form to make the patch, explains Chen.

The team infused the alginate with a biochemical particle formulation that stimulated the body’s insulin production as needed and curtails the stimulation when normal concentration is reached. The patch’s delivery system and responsiveness can meet those needs for days instead of being used up at one time. The formula uses 2 drug compounds glucose oxidase and exendin-4 into the patch. The 2 compounds react with blood chemistry to trigger secretion of insulin. Each is paired with a phosphate mineral particle that stabilizes the compound until required when it will become responsive and smart release, meaning the acidity that occurs when sugar concentrations increase will weaken the bond with the drug one at a time as needed, but not with the other mineral. This approach uses fast release when needed that slows and stops when the glucose level becomes stable.