Recent advances in nanotechnology for diabetes treatment

Abstract

Nanotechnology in diabetes research has facilitated the development of novel glucose measurement and insulin delivery modalities which hold the potential to dramatically improve quality of life for diabetics. Recent progress in the field of diabetes research at its interface with nanotechnology is our focus. In particular, we examine glucose sensors with nanoscale components including metal nanoparticles and carbon nanostructures. The addition of nanoscale components commonly increases glucose sensor sensitivity, temporal response, and can lead to sensors which facilitate continuous in vivo glucose monitoring. Additionally, we survey nanoscale approaches to “closed-loop” insulin delivery strategies which automatically release insulin in response to fluctuating blood glucose levels. “Closing the loop” between blood glucose level (BGL) measurements and insulin administration by removing the requirement of patient action holds the potential to dramatically improve the health and quality of life of diabetics. Advantages and limitations of current strategies, as well as future opportunities and challenges are also discussed.

Ascorbic acid delivered by mesoporous silica nanoparticles induces the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into cardiomyocytes

“…As nanocarriers, MSNs with unique and tuneable mesoporous structure, high loading capability and incomparable biocompatibility have been employed as the effective drug delivery platform for a wide range of therapeutic agents to cure various types of diseases, such as diabetes, cancer and tissue injury [23,33,34]. Since the first application of MSNs as drug carriers reported in 2001 [35], the research on MSNs in the biomedical field exhibits an exponential increase.…”

Nanomedicine concepts in the general medical curriculum: initiating a discussion

“…20 Using a number of in vitro and in vivo methods, 89 nanodiagnostic devices are able to detect the presence of relevant biomarkers (eg, surface proteins of cancerous cells or circulating tumor DNA) at much lower levels, and potentially are able to measure the presence of target biomarkers at the level of single cells and molecules. 68,90 In addition to point-of-care nanodiagnostic methods that have been developed for a range of cancers, 91,92 point-of-care nanodiagnostics continue to be developed for several other pathologies, including Alzheimer's disease, 20,93 diabetes, 94,95 and a number of viral and bacterial infections.…”

Conducting Polymers and Their Applications in Diabetes Management

“…The application of nanostructured CPs to diabetes management holds a number of potential advantages, such as targeting small particular areas of cells and analysis of small amount of analytes [7]. …”

“…Hence, they have promoted the development of novel glucose measurement and insulin delivery modalities which hold the potential to dramatically improve the quality of life for diabetics. DiSanto et al [7] have reviewed advances in nanotechnology for diabetes treatment. Li et al [16] reviewed rational design and applications of conducting polymer hydrogels as electrochemical biosensors.…”

“…Li et al [16] reviewed rational design and applications of conducting polymer hydrogels as electrochemical biosensors. Advances of glucose monitoring will benefit more accurate drug dosing and diabetes control systems [7]. Improvements of nanomedicine can encourage novel sensors with advanced continuity, noninvasiveness [17] and usability [18,19,20], as well as more continuous and automatic “closed-loop” insulin release systems [18,21].…”