Preparation of multiresponsive nanogels and their controlled release properties

Multiresponsive nanogels, which are sensitive to pH/temperature/glucose concentration have been synthesized by using N,N-diethylacrylamide (DEA) and 4-vinylphenylboronic acid (VPBA) as reaction monomer. The influence of the VPBA/DEA feeding ratio and emulsifier concentration on the as-prepared nanogel's size and size distribution was investigated. Under the optimized condition, the diameter of the as-prepared P(DEA-co-VPBA) nanogel was 186.9 nm with excellent monodispersity (PDI 0.005); its entrapment efficiency reached 88.67% and loading efficiency of insulin reached 17.73%. The release rate of insulin loaded in the P(DEA-co-VPBA) nanogels could be adjusted by glucose concentration, which could adjust and control the blood glucose concentration in a stable concentration range intelligently. The multiresponsive nanogels could potentially be used in the fields of self-regulated drug delivery systems, real-time optical diagnosis, and monitoring of the response to treatment.