Hydrogen Peroxide-Triggered Conversion of Boronic Acid-Appended Insulin into Insulin and Its Application as a Glucose-Responsive Insulin Formulation

Abstract

p-Boronophenylmethoxycarbonyl (BPmoc) is a protecting group for amines that is removable by treatment with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). We prepared BPmoc-modified insulin (BPmoc-Ins) and subcutaneously injected the formulation into diabetic rats. The results demonstrated that BPmoc effectively sealed the blood glucose (Glc)-lowering effects of Ins. Conversely, coinjection of BPmoc-Ins and Glc oxidase (GOx) resulted in reduced blood Glc levels, indicating that Ins was generated from BPmoc-Ins through the following reactions: oxidation of endogenous Glc by GOx; production of H₂O₂ accompanied by Glc oxidation; removal of BPmoc residues by H₂O₂. These results show the potential of BPmoc-Ins for a Glc-responsive Ins release system.

Keywords: boronic acid; glucose-responsive release; hydrogen peroxide; hypoglycemia; insulin.