Experiment on the feasibility of using modified gelatin nanoparticles as insulin pulmonary administration system for diabetes therapy

Polymeric nanoparticles are widely used as targeted carriers for biomacromolecules. In this paper, modified gelatin nanoparticles were prepared and their feasibility as insulin pulmonary administration system was investigated. d , l -glyceraldehyde and poloxamer 188 were used for gelatin nanoparticle preparation. Novel water-in-water emulsion technique was used to prepare insulin-loaded nanoparticles. Morphological examination of insulin-loaded nanoparticles was carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Intratracheal instillation of insulin-loaded nanoparticles was performed to evaluate animal hypoglycemic effect. With fluorescence labeling of insulin, alveolar deposition and absorption of insulin-loaded nanoparticles were investigated. Histological changes in the lung were also observed to evaluate the safety. From the micromorphology observation, insulin-loaded nanoparticles under gelatin–poloxamer 188 ratio at 1:1 showed smooth and uniform surface, with average particle size 250 nm and Zeta potential −21.1 mV. From animal experiment, insulin-loaded nanoparticles under gelatin–poloxamer 188 ratio at 1:1 promoted insulin pulmonary absorption effectively and showed good relative pharmacological bioavailability. Proved by alveolar deposition result, FITC-insulin-loaded nanoparticle group was characterized by an acute and rapid hypoglycemic effect. In addition, nanoparticles could guarantee the safety of lung by reducing insulin deposition in lung. A transient weak inflammatory response was observed at 1 day after administration. With good physical characterization, high bioavailability, fast and stable hypoglycemic effect, insulin-loaded nanoparticles might be developed as a novel insulin pulmonary system for diabetes therapy.