Think about how to design a multi-modal nanoparticle for( Type 1 diabetes) . Thi

Question

Think about how to design a multi-modal nanoparticle for( Type 1 diabetes) . Think about what is the strongest clinical need – should you develop a nanoparticle that treats your disease at the same time in two different ways (e.g. synergistic treatment)? Or would you like to be able to diagnose and treat a disease at the same time (e.g. theranostic nanoparticles?) Or do you need a more robust way to measure whether a treatment is working (treatment monitoring)? Please explain the biological problem you are trying to solve and how you would go about designing one or more nanoformulations to solve this problem. And remember, you are welcome to use the literature for ideas!

Explanation / Answer

While understanding the reason for type 1 Diabetes, its pretty clear that a person’s body stops producing Insulin which is very much required for consumption of blood glucose and apparently it happens because beta cells are destroyed, which is responsible for Insulin production. The best possible solution could be to tackle it at autoimmune stage where beta cells are being destroyed. As far as therapy is concerned for type 1 diabetes patients, it can depend upon person’s need. In other word one should think about the customized therapy which can differ from person to person. Whatever Insulin is being injected in a patient, one must first understand the degree of response that’s nothing but treatment monitoring. Based on response, a physician can suggest different form of insulin available in the market i.e. long acting or short acting.

In spite of giving Insulin exogenously, it all depends how precisely it goes and act against rising level of glucose in the body. Nowadays there has been considerable work has been done around Nanoformulations, in which insulin can be encapsulated.

The poly (lactide-co-glycolide) polymers (PLGA), being biocompatible, have been used as controlled release delivery systems for parenteral and implantable applications in recent times. The major targets of nano insulin are mainly focussed on the various glucose transporters (GLUTs) present in the pancreas, muscle, brain, etc., which are primarily involved in the influx of glucose into several organs to maintain glucose homeostasis in the body.

Transdermal delivery of nano insulin is also an attractive alternative therapy as it can control release of the drug and avoid possible drug degradation resulting from gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of first-pass liver effects. Although the mechanisms of action of PLGA encapsulated nano insulin in several forms of diabetes are not known and still need proper investigation, some Indian researchers believe that people with diabetes may soon take a pill of insulin-loaded nanoparticles instead of having to give themselves painful injections.

But much work has to be done further, nevertheless this could be the most potential drug therapy in coming days.

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