Sustained release of insulin from a hydrophilic polymer matrix implanted in diabetic rats.

Abstract
A long-acting insulin preparation involving the sustained release of biologically active insulin from a hydrophilic ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVA) matrix was developed. A single subcutaneous implant of this insulin lowered the blood glucose levels of diabetic rats for more than one month. These results suggest that a long-acting insulin may be produced by the entrapment of insulin within a hydrophilic EVA1 copolymer matrix.