Biodistribution of Insulin-Nanogels in Mouse: A Preliminary Study for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract

A growing body of evidence shows that Insulin, Insulin Receptor (IR) and IR signaling are involved in brain cognitive functions and their dysfunction is implicated in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) neurodegeneration. Thus, administration of insulin could be a strategy for AD treatment. For this aim we have designed, synthesized and characterized a nanogel system (NG) that has been conjugated to insulin molecules (NG-In) to deliver the protein into the brain, as a tool for the development of a new therapy against AD. In our preclinical study in mice, intraperitoneal injection of fluorescentlabeled NG has allowed to determine the biodistribution of NG vs time in the whole body and its clearance through the kidneys and bladder. Furthermore, we have observed that mice injected with nanogel did not experience stress, discomfort, nor mortalities have been recorded during the observation time