Enhanced hypoglycemic activity following intratracheal administration of insulin microcrystal suspension with injection adjuvant.

The pulmonary route appears to be the most attractive alternative for non-invasive systemic delivery of insulin. We have shown the feasibility of insulin microcrystals as a long-acting formulation for pulmonary delivery. In this study, we examined the effects of adjuvant for pulmonary formulations of insulin, such as protamine, zinc, and glycerol. In an in vivo experiment with rats, only zinc enhanced the hypoglycemic effect of insulin microcrystals, with 17% of minimum reductions in blood glucose (%MRBG) and a 44% decrement in the blood glucose level (D%9h).