Dual-Hormone Regulation for Blood Glucose Control Using Cellulose/Chitosan-Based Janus Microspheres via Gas-Shearing Microfluidics

Pancreatic α and β cells secrete glucagon and insulin, respectively, and regulate blood glucose through feedback mechanisms. To fully simulate the functions of pancreatic α and β cells within the same microsphere, cellulose/chitosan-based Janus microspheres (JMs) were created using the gas-shearing microfluidics, allowing for precise blood glucose regulation through coordinated dual-hormone release. One compartment of the JMs is primarily made up of carboxymethyl cellulose and glucagon. The dissociation of hydrogen bonds in the cellulose hydroxyl network causes swelling and releases glucagon when pH > 7.4. The other compartments of the JMs primarily consist of chitosan, insulin, and glucose oxidase (GOD). GOD reacts with glucose to produce gluconic acid (3.77 < pH < 6.86), which protonates the amino groups on chitosan, releasing insulin. In coculture experiment, JMs maintained blood glucose within the normal range within 1–2 h without showing hypoglycemic symptoms, with microspheres sustaining normal blood glucose levels for approximately 10–11 h.