Complexation Hydrogels For Oral Protein Delivery: An IN Vitro Assessment Of The Insulin-transport-enhancing Effects Following Dissolution In Simulated Digestive Fluids

摘要

This study supports the hypothesis that this polymer system enhances paracellular transport of insulin. If there was a controlling transcellular component to the transport, far higher flux values should be obtained in the insulin-only (I) studies. Fur- thermore, the insulin transport must be assumed to be a mix of transcellular and paracellular transport. This is evident due to the duration of transport, which extends far past the exposure time. The potential utility this system for oral insulin delivery was further supported by the simulated gastric and intestinal fluid studies which confirm the ability of the hydrogel to 'protect' the insulin in simulated gastric conditions but still release biologically active insulin in the simulated intestinal conditions.