Glucose-Responsive Gold Nanocluster-Loaded Microneedle Patch for Type 1 Diabetes Therapy

Abstract

Responsive blood glucose control in a convenient and noninvasive manner is the ultimate goal in diabetes treatment. In this study, we developed a closed-loop microneedle (MN)-array patch for transdermal and responsive insulin delivery in type 1 diabetes therapy. We prepared alginate-based MN-array patches integrated with glucose-responsive gold nanoclusters (GNCs) using a two-step casting and centrifuging process. From both theoretical calculation and experimental study, we found that the integration of GNCs into MNs significantly improved the mechanical strength of alginate-based MN-array patches. The GNCs facilitated the MNs to penetrate the skin of mice, and the glucose-responsive GNCs in MNs allowed the closed-loop insulin release both in vitro in glucose solutions and in vivo in type 1 diabetic mice. With transdermal application only once on the skin of mice, the MN-array patches regulated the blood glucose levels of mice in normoglycemic ranges for up to 2.8 days and decreased the diabetic symptoms of the mice. Our study proved the successful application of glucose-responsive GNC-loaded MN-array patches for minimally invasive and responsive insulin delivery, providing a promising alternative for type 1 diabetes therapy.

Patterned Calcite Microneedle Arrays formed on Mollusk Shells via Oriented Dissolution and Their Application for Transdermal and Intracellular Delivery

“…Previous studies have indicated that the mechanical strength of prismatic calcite microneedles is much greater than the failure stress of skin. [ 77,78 ] This provides evidence that the obtained calcite microneedles can puncture the stratum corneum of the skin and deliver fluorescent molecules into the skin. As a reference, the prismatic shell with flat surface adsorbed rhodamine B were pressed onto the mice cadaver skin surface with a similar force for 10 min, the same experiment procedure as for the PMNA patch.…”

Flexible polymeric patch based nanotherapeutics against non-cancer therapy

“…In view of the related reports and the GO x catalytic reaction, glucose is the direct and major factor for self-regulation of BGLs in diabetic patients. Lei et al designed glucose-responsive gold nanoclusters (GNCs) incorporated MN patch for responsive and transdermal insulin delivery [ 155 ]. With the modification of phenylboronic acid-derived molecules, GNCs as the nanocarriers possessed extremely high loading capacity of insulin.…”

Recent advances in flexible and wearable sensors for monitoring chemical molecules

“…The content of glucose in the blood is closely related to human health. 81,94 Current clinical methods for measuring blood glucose mostly involve blood sampling from the finger. As an invasive method, this undoubtedly causes pain to patients.…”