Regulation of blood glucose by sustained delivery of insulin via ALCAP ceramics in rats.

Years of research at the University of Dayton has resulted in the development of a porous, resorbable, alumino-calcium-phosphorous oxide ceramic (ALCAP) which is capable of delivering substances of different molecular weights and chemical structures. In vitro delivery of insulin has been accomplished by means of ALCAP ceramics and ALCAP ceramic reservoir systems. Insulin delivered by implanted ALCAP ceramic systems was capable of lowering blood glucose levels in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats up to 21 days. Ceramics containing a solid composite of insulin, ALCAP powder (particle size to 38 um), and cysteine (ACI delivery system) were implanted in diabetic rats. Insulin delivered from the ACI systems reduced the hyperglycemia of diabetic rats for 14 days. ALCAP ceramics with 1.0 ml glass reservoirs (GRCS) were filled with a solution of insulin in vegetable oil to slow the delivery of hormone in vivo. The hormone delivered in oil by the GRCS device effectively regulated blood sugar in diabetic rats for 21 days.