Taking insulin by mouth

Scientists were able to combine a 'covalent organic framework' together with insulin and demonstrated that the combination can significantly reduce the blood sugar levels of diabetic mice * If the process is successful in clinical trials, it will be possible to dispense with insulin injections, making the lives and balance of diabetics easier

[Translation by Dr. Moshe Nachmani]

Although there is still a long way to turn this system into a clinical application, the lead researcher, Eli Travolsi, from New York University in Abu Dhabi, is convinced that the system will "dramatically improve the well-being of diabetics all over the world in a simple and direct way - by replacing many injections a day with taking pills ".

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are XNUMXD and XNUMXD organic solids with extended structures in which the building blocks are linked by strong covalent bonds. The resulting materials are porous and crystalline materials and are made entirely of light chemical elements (nitrogen, carbon, boron, hydrogen and oxygen) known to form strong covalent bonds in known and useful materials such as diamond, graphite and boron nitride.

Although several systems for delivering insulin orally (through the mouth) have received clinical approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the lead researcher points out that these systems have several disadvantages, such as instability in the stomach or toxicity with prolonged use. "The system we developed is particularly stable in the stomach, reacts specifically to glucose, and therefore represents a step forward in the future field of oral administration of insulin and the treatment of type 1 diabetes." The main part of the system is the structure of the finished chemical material that can be synthesized within ten minutes from two cheap starting materials, and under conditions of room temperature. The framework contains crystalline nanosheets with hexagonal holes, which are stacked on top of each other to form nanoparticles; In other words, the material includes hexagonal microporous channels that create large spaces between the nanosheets. Insulin molecules, which are too large to fit into the micronozzles, fit into the larger spaces between the nanosheets. Once the substance that includes insulin is digested by the body, it can pass through the intestinal barrier into the bloodstream, where the glucose in the blood begins to fill the smaller mucus channels. In the condition of 'hyperglycemia', where the blood glucose levels are too high, the glucose fills all these nozzles. And when you reach a situation where an additional amount of glucose penetrates into the spaces between the nanosheets, these molecules push out the insulin that begins its activity aimed at lowering blood sugar levels to the normal level. The main idea of ​​the system lies in the fact that the insulin molecules are between the layers of the nanosheets and not inside the nozzle channels.

The research team tested the system in diabetic mice, and showed that the system can indeed cross the intestinal barrier, release the insulin in the blood and reduce the blood sugar level, with the chemical protecting the insulin from being released in the digestive tract until it reaches the bloodstream. One of the researchers in the field explains that the system is a real improvement compared to existing methods. "The challenge is how to transfer and protect active insulin, while avoiding its breakdown due to the acidic conditions in the stomach - the new system is indeed a breakthrough," notes the researcher. In terms of toxicity, the lead researcher points out that the nature of the material is excellent - since the finished material is completely organic, without any metal, it is unlikely that it will accumulate in the body and therefore it will not be toxic to the body."   

The scientific article

More of the topic in Hayadan:

• Technion researchers discovered "coordinators" whose role is to coordinate all steps in the control of genetic expression
• A vaccine may stop the development of diabetes
• How does the corona virus affect diabetics?