Glucose-sensitive polymeric matrices for controlled drug delivery.

Hydrogel matrices were prepared by chemical polymerization of solutions containing 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, N,N-dimethyl-aminoethyl methacrylate, tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate, ethylene glycol and water solutions containing glucose oxidase, bacitracin or insulin. The hydrogels displayed faster and higher swelling and release rates at lower pH or at higher glucose concentrations. Swelling and release kinetics were also responsive to step changes in glucose concentration in the physiological range. The kinetics of the soluble and immobilized enzyme followed Michaelis Menten's kinetics. In the soluble state the enzyme was more active than the immobilized one due to mass transfer limitations, which may be overcome by preparation of microbead configuration.