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Our objective was to develop novel nanocarriers (protected graft copolymer, PGC) that improve the stability of heparin binding EGF (HBEGF) and gastrin and then to use PGC-formulated HBEGF (PGC-HBEGF) and Omeprazole (+/- PGC-gastrin) for normalizing fasting blood glucose (FBG) and improving islet function in diabetic mice.HBEGF, PGC-HBEGF, Omeprazole, Omeprazole + PGC-HBEGF, Omeprazole + PGC-gastrin + PGC-HBEGF and epidermal growth factor (EGF) + gastrin were tested in multiple low dose streptozotocin diabetic mice.Omeprazole + PGC-HBEGF normalized FBG and is better than EGF + gastrin at improving islet function and decreasing insulitis. Groups treated with Omeprazole, Omeprazole + PGC-HBEGF, or EGF + gastrin have significantly improved islet function versus saline control. All animals that received PGC-HBEGF had significantly reduced islet insulitis versus saline control. Non-FBG was lower for Omeprazole + PGC-gastrin + PGC-HBEGF but Omeprazole + PGC-HBEGF alone showed better FBG and glucose tolerance.Omeprazole + PGC-HBEGF provides a sustained exposure to both EGFRA and gastrin, improves islet function, and decreases insulitis in multiple low dose streptozotocin diabetic mice. Although HBEGF or EGF elevates non-FBG, it facilitates a reduction of insulitis and, in the presence of Omeprazole, provides normalization of FBG at the end of treatment. The study demonstrates Omeprazole and PGC-HBEGF is a viable treatment for diabetes.

To develop a long-acting formulation of native human insulin with a similar pharmacodynamics (PD) profile as the insulin analogue insulin glargine (Lantus®, Sanofi-Aventis) with the expectation of retaining native human insulin’s superior safety profile as insulin glargine is able to activate the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) receptor and is linked to a number of malignancies at a higher rate than regular human insulin. Development of protected graft copolymer (PGC) excipients that bind native human insulin non-covalently and testing blood glucose control obtained with these formulations in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Sprague Dawley rats compared to equally dosed insulin glargine. PGC-formulations of native human insulin are able to control blood glucose to the same extent and for the same amount of time after s.c. injection as the insulin analogue insulin glargine. No biochemical changes were made to the insulin that would change receptor binding and activation with their possible negative effects on the safety of the insulin. Formulation with the PGC excipient offers a viable alternative to biochemically changing insulin or other receptor binding peptides to improve PD properties.