Confocal microscopic analysis of transport mechanisms of insulin across the cell monolayer.

Development of oral insulin formulations would significantly improve the quality of life of patients suffering from diabetes. Complexation hydrogels developed in our laboratory, are one of the most promising classes of materials for use in targeted oral delivery of proteins. Results from confocal microscopy analysis of insulin transport in Caco-2 cells indicated that the primary route of transport was the paracellular pathway and that the transcellular component of the transport was insignificant.