Abstract
Recently, phenylboronic acid (PBA) gel containing microneedle (MN) technology with acute and sustained glucose-sensitive functionality has attracted significant research attention. Herein, we report a polyvinyl alcohol(PVA)-coated MNs patch with an interconnected porous gel drug reservoir for enhanced skin penetration efficiency and mechanical strength. The hybrid MNs patch fabricated with a novel, efficient method displayed a “cake-like” two-layer structure, with the tip part being composed of boronate-containing smart gel attached to a porous gel layer as a drug reservoir. The porous structure provides the necessary structural support for skin insertion and space for insulin loading. The mechanical strength of the hybrid MNs patch was further enhanced by surface coating with crystallized PVA. Compared with MNs patches attached to hollow drug reservoirs, this hybrid MNs patch with a porous gel reservoir was shown to be able to penetrate the skin more effectively, and is promising for on-demand, long-acting transdermal insulin delivery with increased patient compliance.
Highlights
Insulin therapy remains one of the most important aspects of diabetes treatment, especially Type 1 and advanced Type 2 diabetes [1,2]
Porous gel was synthesized according to a clearly methodshows described in a previous publicapresent throughout the gel after removing porogen
After radical copol-by the pregel solutiontheAPS/TEMED-catalyzed due to its capillary action, followed ymerization, the glucose-responsive gel formed within the porous structure, and the hydiffusion throughout the micropores [32]
Summary
Insulin therapy remains one of the most important aspects of diabetes treatment, especially Type 1 and advanced Type 2 diabetes [1,2]. Insulin therapy requires subcutaneous injections several times per day, which results in pain, infections, and decreased quality of life (QoL) [3,4]. There is a need for novel delivery methods for insulin that are noninvasive and convenient. In this regard, transdermal insulin delivery has attracted attention due to its advantages such as better patient compliance and avoiding the first-pass effect [5]. Microneedle (MN) technology has attracted great interest due to its convenience, high delivery efficiency, low cost and painless administration [10].
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