Effect of varying molecular weight of dextran on acrylic-derivatized dextran and concanavalin A glucose-responsive materials for closed-loop insulin delivery

AIM

Dextran methacrylate (dex-MA) and concanavalin A (con A)-methacrylamide were photopolymerized to produce covalently cross-linked glucose-sensitive gels for the basis of an implantable closed-loop insulin delivery device.

METHODS

The viscoelastic properties of these polymerized gels were tested rheologically in the non-destructive oscillatory mode within the linear viscoelastic range at glucose concentrations between 0 and 5% (w/w).

RESULTS

For each cross-linked gel, as the glucose concentration was raised, a decrease in storage modulus, loss modulus and complex viscosity (compared at 1 Hz) was observed, indicating that these materials were glucose responsive. The higher molecular weight acrylic-derivatized dextrans [degree of substitution (DS) 3 and 8%] produced higher complex viscosities across the glucose concentration range.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies coupled with in vitro diffusion experiments show that dex-MA of 70 kDa and DS (3%) was the optimum mass average molar mass to produce gels that show reduced component leach, glucose responsiveness, and insulin transport useful as part of a self-regulating insulin delivery device.

Glucose-sensitive gel rheology of dextran-concanavalin A mixtures suitable for self-regulating insulin delivery

Aqueous concentrated plain mixtures of dextran and concanavalin A (con A) were examined for their rheological response to glucose for comparison with previously studied partially photopolymerized acrylic derivatives. Non-destructive oscillatory tests were undertaken within the linear viscoelastic range to examine the relationship between the rheometry and the stoichiometry of the interactive materials and to examine rheological parameters as affected by molecular weight, component ratio, temperature and glucose concentrations between 0 and 1% w/w. These simple formulations were studied at 1 and 10 Hz at 0.5% strain at both 20 and 37 degrees C. A second simplified rheological test was undertaken to demonstrate gel-sol reversibility and to produce a measure of equilibria created between these gels and glucose solutions with which they are in contact. This mimics the conditions in which the gel acts as a responsive gateway in the insulin delivery device. It proved that the gels equilibrate with glucose solutions, rather than indiscriminately removing glucose. This is important in terms of producing a delivery device that can respond in a reversible, glucose concentration-dependent manner. The method used for this is capable of relative values only but provides information not obtainable from conventional rheometry.