Transport characteristics of wheat germ agglutinin-modified insulin-liposomes and solid lipid nanoparticles in a perfused rat intestinal model

Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) modified liposomes and solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) were evaluated for improving intestinal absorption of insulin. In an in situ local intestinal perfusion experiment, formulations containing 100 IU/kg insulin were administered to the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum of fasted rats. As hypothesized, ileum was the best intestinal location for the absorption of insulin-containing liposomes. Serum insulin concentrations decreased for the various formulations in different absorption sites according to the following trends: Duodenum > ileum > jejunum for WGA-modified insulin-containing liposomes; duodenum > jejunum > ileum for WGA-modified insulin-containing SLNs; ileum > jejunum > duodenum for insulin-containing liposomes; ileum > duodenum > jejunum for insulin-containing SLNs; and duodenum > ileum > jejunum for aqueous solution of insulin. These results imply that the nanoparticle type and delivery site were important factors with respect to increasing the bioavailability of insulin following oral administration. The proteolylic degradation as well as the epithelial permeability were primary determinants influcing insulin mucosal absorption.