The hypoglycaemic response of diabetic rats to insulin-liposomes.

We prepared insulin-liposomes using one combination of lipids including phosphatidylcholine (cholesterol) stearylamine, 7/2/1 (molar ratio). Non-sonicated liposomes (LMV) and sonicated liposomes (SUV) contained about 20% and 5% of insulin, respectively. Free insulin was removed from liposomes-associated insulin by ultracentrifugation, or ultrafiltration on Sepharose 6B column. Insulin preparations were administered parenterally and non-parenterally into male, Wistar rats with alloxan diabetes to produce the hypoglycaemia. In case of i.v. and s.c. routes of administration all preparations acted in the similar manner giving the clear hypoglycaemia after 2 h. When administered intragastrically only liposome insulin caused hypoglycaemia. In case of buccal and nasal routes of administration only SUV-insulin was effective.