Researchers at Stanford University have developed a novel hydrogel drug delivery system that can transform daily or weekly injections of diabetes and weight control drugs like Ozempic, Mounjaro, Trulicity, Victoza, and others to just once every four months.
The new system, described in a study published in Cell Reports Medicine, is expected to greatly improve the management of both diabetes and weight, improve patient drug compliance, and help those with type 2 diabetes improve long-term health outcomes.
The drugs used in the study all work by mimicking the hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1).
While these drugs are effective at helping people manage their diets and weight, the typical daily or weekly injections can be a burden for many patients.
The new hydrogel drug delivery system allows the slow release of the diet control drugs over many months, reducing the number of injections required.
The Hydrogel
The hydrogel is engineered with polymers and nanoparticles that are weakly bound to one another, allowing for the slow release of the drugs over time.
The unique physical characteristics of the nanoparticles at the heart of the hydrogel make it possible to engineer a drug delivery system that can transform daily or weekly injections to just once every four months.
Implications of the Study
The hydrogel drug delivery system has the potential to greatly improve the management of both diabetes and weight.
Adherence to drug regimens is one of the biggest challenges in type 2 diabetes management, and the new system could make it much easier for people with diabetes or obesity to stick with their drug regimens.
The GLP-1 drugs have been described as “miracle drugs” with few side effects and profound control of energy intake by helping patients feel more satiated and less hungry and by targeting other reward-related dietary effects.
In conclusion, the study shows that the hydrogel drug delivery system has the potential to greatly improve the management of both diabetes and weight.
The findings highlight the importance of developing innovative drug delivery systems that can improve patient drug compliance and help those with type 2 diabetes improve long-term health outcomes.
If you care about blood sugar, please read studies about why blood sugar is high in the morning, and how to cook sweet potatoes without increasing blood sugar.
For more information about diabetes, please see recent studies about how to eat to prevent type 2 diabetes, and 5 vitamins that may prevent complication in diabetes.
The research findings can be found in Cell Reports Medicine.
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