Design and in vitro/in vivo Evaluation of Polyelectrolyte Complex Nanoparticles Filled in Enteric-Coated Capsules for Oral Delivery of Insulin.

Insulin is one of the most important drugs in the treatment of diabetes. There is an increasing interest in the oral administration of insulin as it mimics the physiological pathway and potentially reduces the side effects associated with subcutaneous injection. Therefore, insulin-loaded polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) nanoparticles were prepared by the ionic cross-linking method using protamine sulfate as the polycationic and sodium alginate as the anionic polymer.

Contributions of Rho-kinase and AMP-related kinase signaling pathways to responses mediated by endothelium-derived contracting factors in diabetic rat aorta.

Diabetes-induced endothelial damage leads to vascular dysfunction. The current study investigated the effects of short-term (4-week) streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes on responses mediated by endothelium-derived contracting factors (EDCFs) as well as possible contributions of Rho-kinase and AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) signaling pathways. The effects of STZ-diabetes on vascular function were examined in isolated thoracic aorta preparations of 30-week-old rats ( = 27).