Gastric Acid Research Articles

Pharmacodynamics Between a Dual Delayed-Release Formulation of Low-Dose Esomeprazole and Famotidine in Healthy Korean Subjects

PurposeGastritis, one of the most common clinically diagnosed conditions, is defined as the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the gastric mucosa. Drugs for gastritis include histamine-2 receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which reduce acidity in the stomach, and antacids, which neutralize acid. Esomeprazole is a PPI for gastroesophageal reflux disease and gastric and duodenal ulcers that has been shown to be safe and effective at a 10 mg dose. Dual-release drugs have not yet been approved for the treatment of gastritis domestically or internationally. In this study, a dual delayed-release (DR) esomeprazole (10 mg), was compared to famotidine (20 mg) to determine its effectiveness in the treatment of gastritis. MethodsThis study was a randomized, open-label, multiple-dose, 2-treatment, 2-period, 2-sequence crossover study with a 7-day washout between periods. In each period, the subjects were administered one dose of esomeprazole (10 mg) or famotidine (20 mg) for 7 days at each period. The 24-hour gastric pH was recorded after single and multiple doses. The percentage of time (duration%) that the pH was maintained above 4 in the 24 hours after 7 days of repeated dosing was evaluated. FindingsThe mean percentages of time that the gastric pH was above 4 after multiple doses over 7 days of a dual DR esomeprazole (10 mg) and famotidine (20 mg) was 47.31% ± 14.85% and 23.88% ± 10.73%. ImplicationsMultiple doses of a dual DR esomeprazole (10 mg) showed effective gastric acid secretion suppression compared to famotidine with comparable safety and tolerability. These results provide evidence supporting the clinical use of a dual DR esomeprazole (10 mg) to treat gastritis.ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04967014.

Rational use of gastroprotectants in cats: An evidence-based approach.

Acid-related disorders including esophagitis and gastroduodenal ulceration are uncommon in the cat. However, when they occur, they can have devastating consequences and require targeted intervention, including the use of gastroprotectants. Careful consideration of the causes of esophagitis and gastroduodenal ulceration can help the clinician to determine which gastroprotectant to use, and when to begin and end gastroprotective therapy. Gastroprotectants remain one of the most misused classes of drugs in veterinary and human medicine. There are very few studies evaluating the efficacy of gastroprotective agents in cats. Furthermore, goals for the degree of gastric acid suppression are extrapolated from studies performed in dogs and humans. This review provides a foundation for the logical approach to the choice of gastroprotectant as indicated by the disease process, and is aimed at all veterinarians who prescribe gastroprotectants for use in cats. The guidance provided in this review is supported by current literature, including consensus opinion from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Gaps in evidence for use of gastroprotectants in cats are filled by extrapolations from studies performed in dogs and humans.

Effects of Food, Gastric Acid Reduction, and Strong CYP3A Induction on the Pharmacokinetics of Tasurgratinib, a Novel Selective Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitor.

We conducted this three-part study in healthy subjects to investigate the pharmacokinetics of tasurgratinib (orally available selective inhibitor of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1-3) and M2 (its major metabolite) under different conditions. In Part A, subjects received tasurgratinib 35 mg either fed with a high-fat meal or fasted. In Parts B and C, subjects received tasurgratinib 35 mg alone or with either rabeprazole (acid-reducing agent) 20 mg (Part B) or rifampin (strong CYP3A inducer) 600 mg (Part C). Primary endpoints were maximum concentration (Cmax), and areas under the plasma concentration-time curve to time of last quantifiable concentration (AUC(0-t)) and extrapolated to infinite time (AUC(0-inf)). Forty-two subjects were enrolled, 14 each into Parts A, B, and C. In Part A, administration of tasurgratinib with a high-fat meal resulted in 33% reduction in Cmax and ∼23% reduction in AUC(0-t) and AUC(0-inf) of tasurgratinib, and 47% reduction in Cmax with ∼30% reduction in AUC(0-t) and AUC(0-inf) of M2. In Part B, co-administration of rabeprazole at steady state resulted in no/weak interaction with tasurgratinib (∼8% increase in AUC(0-t) and AUC(0-inf) without an effect on Cmax) and M2 (∼18% increase in AUC(0-t) and AUC(0-inf) without an effect on Cmax). In Part C, co-administration of rifampin at steady state resulted in a weak interaction with tasurgratinib (∼16% reduction in AUC(0-t) and AUC(0-inf)) and M2 (∼12% reduction in AUC(0-t) and AUC(0-inf)). Administration of tasurgratinib with a high-fat meal appeared to reduce systemic exposure of tasurgratinib, however co-administration with an acid-reducing agent or a CYP3A inducer had a minimal impact on pharmacokinetics.

Effect of concomitant use of esomeprazole on levodopa pharmacokinetics and clinical symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease

BackgroundProton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which inhibit gastric acid secretion, are frequently prescribed to patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Levodopa, the gold-standard treatment for PD, demonstrates enhanced solubility in acidic environments. Although PPIs increase gastric pH and may affect levodopa absorption, the effect of concomitant PPI use on levodopa pharmacokinetics in patients with PD remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the concomitant use of esomeprazole, a PPI, on the pharmacokinetics of levodopa and carbidopa and clinical symptoms in patients with PD. MethodsWe prospectively enrolled 40 patients with PD and compared the pharmacokinetics of levodopa and carbidopa and clinical symptoms before and two weeks after the concomitant use of esomeprazole. ResultsThe plasma concentrations of levodopa 30 min after concomitant oral administration of levodopa and esomeprazole were significantly lower (4.92 ± 4.10 μmol/L) than those without concomitant esomeprazole use (6.26 ± 3.75 μmol/L; p = 0.027). The plasma concentrations of carbidopa showed no significant differences with respect to concomitant esomeprazole use. Significant elevation was recorded in all subscores of the Movement Disorder Society-sponsored revision of the Unified Parkinson's disease Rating Scale scores after concomitant use of esomeprazole. No significant differences were observed between Helicobacter pylori-negative and Helicobacter pylori-positive patients. Non-elderly patients (age ≤ 70 years) tended to be more susceptible to the effect of esomeprazole on levodopa pharmacokinetics and clinical symptoms. ConclusionsThe unnecessary use of PPIs should be avoided in patients with PD, especially in non-elderly patients, to improve absorption of levodopa.

Dynamic in vitro gastric digestion of skimmed milk using the NERDT, an advanced human biomimetic digestion system

The main objective of this study was to assess the ability of the NEar Real Digestive Tract (NERDT), a computer-controlled biomimetic in vitro digestion system that considers the biomechanics of the stomach, to reproduce physiologically relevant features of skimmed milk gastric digestion. A second objective was to evaluate the influence of pepsin on the gastric coagulation and emptying of milk proteins from experiments performed with and without pepsin. A mass balance model over the stomach, assuming a perfectly stirred reactor behaviour, has been developed. The results show that the NERDT can adequately reproduce the targeted kinetics of gastric acidification and emptying, with a sieving effect that naturally leads to a delayed emptying of caseins. Milk coagulated earlier and more chyme was emptied towards the end of the experiments in the presence of pepsin than without, hence illustrating the key influence of pepsin on the gastric coagulation of caseins and subsequent hydrolysis and emptying of dairy particles. Overall, this study shows that the NERDT can be adequately controlled to achieve desired gastric digestion conditions, and appears to be a very useful tool to further improve the knowledge of the gastric digestion behaviour of complex foods such as milk.

Advancements in GERD Treatment: Exploring Innovative Therapies

: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) stands as a prevalent and impactful gastrointes-tinal disorder, affecting a substantial portion of the global population. Characterised by the chronic backflow of stomach acid into the oesophagus, GERD presents itself with symptoms ranging from the discomfort of heartburn to more severe complications, including esophageal inflammation and respiratory issues [1]. The pervasive nature of this condition underscores the critical need for effective and evolving treatment strategies. As individuals worldwide grapple with the challenges posed by GERD, the quest for advancements in treatment options becomes paramount. The prevalence of GERD extends far beyond its physical manifestations, reaching into the realms of daily life, productivity, and overall well-being. Heartburn, regurgitation, and chest pain, hallmarks of GERD, can disrupt sleep patterns, hinder nutritional habits, and compromise the quality of life of an individual [2]. Moreover, the chronic nature of the disease raises concerns about long-term complications, such as Barrett's oesophagus and an increased risk of esophageal cancer. The burden imposed by GERD is not solely physical; it extends to psychological well-being, influencing factors like stress and anxiety. Recognising the multifaceted impact of GERD underscores the urgency of advancing treatment options to address the diverse needs of those affected [3].

Neuroprotective Effect of Famotidine in Mouse Models of Alzheimer's Disease.

Famotidine is a competitive histamine H-receptor antagonist that reduces the formation of stomach acid and is used to treat gastrointestinal disorders associated with acid reflux, gastroesophageal reflux disease, duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer, and pathological hypersecretory disorders. This study is designed to investigate the possible neuroprotective effects of the ranolazine scopolamine-induced Alzheimer's disease-like feature in a mouse model. Mice were divided equally into five groups (ten mice per group), including control group and induction group. The mice in the induction group were administered scopolamine 1 mg/kg i.p., once daily for 7 days, to induce features similar to Alzheimer's disease. The mice in the remaining three treatment groups were given tested medications prophylactically for 14 days. After that the induction was carried out with scopolamine 1 mg/kg i.p., once daily, while the tested medication dosages were continued for an additional 7 days. These treatment groups included: the donepezil group (5 mg/kg/day), the famotidine group (40 mg/kg/day) and the combined group with donepezil (5 mg/kg/day) and famotidine (40 mg/kg/day); all were administrated i.p., once daily. Behavioral parameters were assessed, among others with the Y-maze test and novel object recognition test, and the inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress parameters were assessed as well. Famotidine exhibits significant improvements in behavior and memory, level of oxidative stress parame-ter, and inflammatory cytokines. Famotidine and its combination at prescribed doses in the current study improved learning and memory impairments in mice model of Alzheimer's disease probably via their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties confirmed by a significant increase in antioxidant mediator and a significant decrease in oxidative stress marker and inflammatory cytokines.

Valorization of Cheese Whey through Bioethanol Production and Probiotic Drink Development: A Sustainable Approach for Organic Waste Management

Cheese whey, a significant byproduct of the dairy industry, poses a substantial environmental challenge due to its organic pollutant load and large size demands for effective and affordable valorization methods. The abundance of lactose and other organic compounds in whey contributes to its elevated Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), further straining natural ecosystems. This study aimed to investigate the nutritional potential of whey and its conversion into value-added products: bioethanol and probiotic drinks. To achieve this, Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus subtilis strains, isolated from soil samples in Nepal, were co-cultured with Lactobacillus sp. and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the whey broth for fermentation. Ethanol distillation was done using a rotary evaporator to maintain the viability of the fermenting organisms in the broth. Moreover, the probiotic criteria of the fermenting strains were extensively examined. Experimental observations revealed a remarkable concentration of 9.2 g/L of ethanol, resulting in an ethanol yield of 0.23 g/L (42% compared to theoretical yield). Extrapolating this rate, it is theoretically possible to produce an annual global bioethanol output of 5 million tons using whey as a sustainable and abundant resource. Furthermore, the study explores novel advancements in the distillation process, demonstrating the successful extraction of ethanol at room temperature. Additionally, the fermentation organisms employed in this research exhibit robust viability, surviving various in-vitro stresstolerance tests, including temperature, bile salt, pH fluctuations, and gastric juice. These resilient strains also demonstrated long-term stability in fermented whey broth, making them promising candidates for the development of probiotic beverages. This dual approach enables sustainable management of organic waste and presents an opportunity to create value-added products with positive implications for the environment and human health.

Preparation, characterization, in vitro and in vivo studies of liposomal berberine using novel natural Fiber Interlaced Liposomal technology

Berberine hydrochloride (BBR), used in various traditional medicinal practices, has a variety of pharmacological effects. It is a plant-derived quaternary isoquinoline alkaloid with a low water solubility and can be used in the treatment of various conditions. However, the therapeutic use of BBR has been compromised because of its hydrophobic characteristics, in addition to its low stability and poor bioavailability. To overcome these drawbacks of BBR’s oral bioavailability, technologies like liposomal delivery systems have been developed to ensure enhanced absorption. But conventional liposomes have low physical and chemical stability due to delicate liposomal membranes, peroxidation and rapid clearance from the bloodstream. Surface modification of liposomes could be a solution and creating a liposome with plant-based fibers as surface material will provide enhanced stability, aqueous solubility and protection against degradation. Consequently, the aim of this study is to create and describe a Fiber Interlaced Liposome™ (FIL) as a vehicle for an enhanced bioavailability platform for BBR and other biomolecules. This optimised FIL-BBR formulation was analysed for its structural and surface morphological characteristics by using FTIR, SEM, TEM, XRD, zeta potential and DSC. Encapsulation efficiency, stability, and sustained release studies using an in vitro digestion model with simulated gastric and intestinal fluids were also examined. FIL formulation showed a sustained release of BBR at 59.03 % as compared to the unformulated control (46.73 %) after 8 h of dialysis. Furthermore, the FIL-BBR demonstrated enhanced stability in the simulated gastric fluid (SGF) in addition to a more sustained release in the simulated intestinal fluid (SIF). The efficacy of FIL-BBR were further anlaysed by an in vivo bioavailability study using male Wistar rats and it demonstrated a 3.37−fold higher relative oral bioavailability compared to the unformulated BBR. The AUC 0-t for BBR in FIL-BBR was 1.38 ng.h/mL, significantly greater than the unformulated BBR (0.41 ng.h/mL). Similarly, the Cmax for BBR in FIL-BBR (50.98 ng/mL) was discovered to be far greater than unformulated BBR (15.54 ng/mL) after the oral administration. These findings imply that fruit fiber based liposomal encapsulation improves the stability and slows down BBR release, which could be advantageous for applications requiring a higher bioavailability and a more sustained release.

Preparation of starch-based green nanofiber mats for probiotic encapsulation by electrospinning.

In this study, starch-based nanofiber mats were successfully prepared from aqueous solution by electrospinning and used for probiotic encapsulation for the first time. The physicochemical properties of the octenylsuccinated (OS) starch/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) blend solutions were systematically investigated. Through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction spectra analysis, it was found that miscibility and hydrogen bonding interactions exist between OS starch and PVA molecules. Thermogravimetric analysis and derivative thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the produced nanofibers possess satisfactory thermal stability. Scanning electron microscopy images and diameter distribution histograms showed that continuous and defect-free nanofibers were obtained and along with the increase in the weight ratio of OS starch, the average diameter gradually decreased. In addition, it was confirmed that the probiotics were successfully encapsulated in nanofiber mats. The survival rates of Lactobacillus plantarum AB-1 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG encapsulated in nanofibers were as high as 94.63% and 92.42%, respectively, significantly higher than those of traditional freeze-drying. Moreover, compared to free cells, probiotics encapsulated in nanofiber mats retained better viability after 21 days of storage at 4 and 25°C, and showed remarkably higher survival rates after exposure to simulated gastric and intestinal fluid. This study showed that the developed nanofibers can be a promising encapsulation system for the protection of probiotics.

Enhancing therapeutic effects alginate microencapsulation of thyme and calendula oils using ionic gelation for controlled drug delivery

This study focuses on encapsulating and characterizing essential oils such as thyme and calendula oils, which are known for their therapeutic properties but are limited in pharmaceutical formulations due to their low water solubility and instability, with alginate microspheres. Alginate presents an excellent option for microencapsulation due to its biocompatibility and biological degradability. The ionic gelation (IG) technique, based on the ionic binding between alginate and divalent cations, allows the formation of hydrogel materials with high water content, mechanical strength, and biocompatibility. The microspheres were characterized using FT-IR, SEM, and swelling analyses. After determining the encapsulation efficiency and drug loading capacity, the microspheres were subjected to dissolution studies under simulated digestion conditions. It was observed that the swelling percentage of the microspheres in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) ranged from ∼15% to 100%, while in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) it ranged from ∼150% to 325%. Thyme oil, with low viscosity, exhibited higher encapsulation efficiency than marigold oil. The highest encapsulation efficiency was observed in A-TO-2 microspheres, while the highest drug loading capacity was observed in A-TO-5 microspheres. During the examination of the dissolution profiles of the microspheres, dissolution rates ranging from 10.98% to 23.56% in SGF and from 52.44% to 63.20% in SIF were observed.

In vitro assessment of probiotic potentials of yeast strains isolated from a cereal-based (Ogi)) traditional fermented food

This present research focused on the isolation of yeast strains from fermented African cereal-based food with promising probiotic attributes. Yeast isolates were obtained from a locally produced cereal-based food “Ogi” also known as Akamu. The yeast was evaluated for their stress tolerance (pH, bile, temperature, NaCl, gastric juice), adhesion properties (auto-aggregation, hydrophobicity) and susceptibility to antibiotics. The strains performed well at 37 °C and exhibited strong ability to tolerate acid (pH 3) and bile salt (1.5%) environment with a percentage survival range of 60-82.61% and 62.96-83.67% respectively. Candida tropicalis (A4) gave the highest salt tolerance at 1% (89.29) and 4% (92.86), while Saccharomyces cerevisiae (A2) showed greater ability to survive the stimulated gastrointestinal conditions at 42.86%. The strains exhibited high auto-aggregation (68.8-94.9%) and a good hydrophobicity to chloroform and toluene. Susceptibility profile of the yeast strains to antibacterial antibiotics showed that all the yeasts presented a resistance pattern. These results indicate that C. tropicalis and S. cerevisiae both have the capability to serve as probiotic agents and can be proposed for various applications. Also, fermented cereal-based Ogi with its wide array of health benefits can serve as a carrier for the delivery of probiotics to both animals and humans as food supplements.

Jejunostomy feeding plus oral feeding versus intravenous nutrition plus oral feeding after esophageal cancer resection: a comparative retrospective cohort study.

There are multiple choices for the nutritional management mode after esophageal cancer surgery. Currently, there is still controversy regarding which nutritional management mode has an impact on the postoperative recovery and overall survival (OS) of patients. This study aims to compare the differences between two commonly used clinical nutritional management modes: jejunostomy feeding plus oral intake (JF plus OI) and intravenous nutrition plus oral intake (IN plus OI), in terms of short-term efficacy and 3-year OS, in order to further explore the optimal mode of enteral nutrition management after esophageal cancer surgery. We evaluated esophageal cancer patients who underwent radical surgery at Union Hospital of Fujian Medical University between January 1, 2010 and January 1, 2020. The purpose of this analysis was to compare the perioperative complications, Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS2002) nutritional scores at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months after surgery, as well as the 3-year OS rates, between two different nutritional management approaches: JF plus OI and IN plus OI following esophageal cancer surgery. Among the 822 patients included, 668 and 154 patients belonged to JF plus OI and IN plus OI groups, respectively. After propensity score matching, 149 patients per group were evaluated. The amount of gastric drainage fluid was higher in the IN plus OI group (P<0.05), and the incidence of postoperative gastrointestinal emptying disorder and intestinal obstruction was significantly higher in the JF plus OI group (P<0.05). The IN plus OI group had a higher incidence of perioperative hypoproteinemia (P<0.05), and a higher risk of malnutrition in 2 weeks after surgery (P<0.05). The 3-year OS was not significantly different (P>0.05). JF plus OI may be the preferable nutritional management approach after esophageal cancer resection as it can potentially reduce perioperative nutritional deficiency. However, attention should be paid to the risk of gastrointestinal emptying and intestinal obstruction associated with JF.

The Development of a Novel Peristaltic Test Stand “Swallow-Sim” for the Mechanical Evaluation of Esophageal Stents

Abstract The development of medical products begins with the “in silico” phase, where the development and simulation of new stent types are carried out. This is followed by the “in vitro” phase. Here, tests are done in a test stand to obtain initial conclusions about the interaction of the environment. The approval process is completed in the “in vivo” phase, where testing in living beings happen. Here, preclinical studies are carried out in animals first, followed by clinical studies on patients. A big part of the development fails in this final phase, as this is where the interactions of all influences from the stent environment are investigated. Since this not only causes high costs for the developers but also unnecessarily destroys living resources in animal studies, this publication describes the development of a test stand called “Swallow-Sim” that superimposes the mechanical influences of the esophagus, the chemical stress caused by hydrochloric acid and increased body temperature. Furthermore, tests of the acting pressures are carried out using esophageal manometry, a temperature test of the test stand and a test run of the gastric juice. At the end of this publication, the results are evaluated with a six-week test of a Nickel Titanium Naval Ordnance Laboratory stent, which loses much of its mechanical properties and is partially destroyed by the load. The results show a clear correlation with the findings from reality. The test stand should be further optimized and examined in more detail in further tests and subjected to a reality check.

Prevalence of drugs used for chronic conditions after diagnosis of thyroid cancer: a register-based cohort study.

Little is known about thyroid cancer survivors' risk of chronic conditions. We, therefore, investigated the prevalence of drugs used for chronic conditions among thyroid cancer patients using population-wide register data. We linked data from the Cancer Registry of Norway to the Norwegian Prescription Database and other databases for a study population of 3.52 million individuals, including 3486 individuals with thyroid cancer diagnosed during 2005-2019. Prevalence ratios (PRs) with 95% CIs of reimbursed prescribed drugs in thyroid cancer patients up to 15 years after thyroid cancer diagnosis were estimated by log-binomial regression, with the cancer-free population as reference. Individuals (both males and females) with thyroid cancer had higher use of drugs for several chronic conditions in the years after diagnosis; eg, 5 years after thyroid cancer diagnosis, there was elevated use of drugs for hypoparathyroidism (PRmales = 35.4, 95% CI, 25.2-49.7; PRfemales = 42.8, 95% CI, 34.2-53.6), hypertension (PRfemales = 1.20, 95% CI, 1.12-1.28), anxiety and tension (PRmales = 4.01, 95% CI, 1.80-8.92; PRfemales = 2.01, 95% CI, 1.15-3.52), gastric acid disorders (PRmales = 1.52, 95% CI, 1.22-1.91; PRfemales = 1.45, 95% CI, 1.27-1.66), and pain (PRmales = 1.48, 95% CI, 1.11-1.97; PRfemales = 1.24, 95% CI, 1.08-1.42) as compared with the cancer-free population. In addition, males with thyroid cancer had long-term elevated use of drugs for depression (eg, year 10+, PRmales = 1.66, 95% CI, 1.06-2.59). Individuals with thyroid cancer also had higher use of drugs for several conditions prior to the thyroid cancer diagnosis, eg, hypertension, gastric acid disorders, and pain. Individuals diagnosed with thyroid cancer had elevated long-term use of drugs for several chronic conditions, as compared with the cancer-free population.

A Review on the Pharmacokinetics and Toxicological Profile of Rabeprazole

Rabeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, is used for individuals with ulcers. The prodrug is transformed into an active sulphenamide form by the acidic conditions present in the parietal cells. Rabeprazole inhibits the H+K+ ATPase of the gastric cells, leading to a decrease in the generation of stomach acid in both normal and stimulated situations. The present review was based on the pharmacokinetics and toxicological profile of Rabeprazole. Once absorbed into the body, approximately 96.3–97% of rabeprazole is bound to plasma proteins. In humans, the half-life of rabeprazole is approximately one hour. The peak concentration of rabeprazole in human plasma following a single oral dose does not appear until around 3.5 hours later. Rabeprazole is metabolised mostly by the liver. Once the liver has metabolised the medicine, 90% of it will be excreted via the kidneys. The elimination fraction is 10%. Rabeprazole is mostly metabolised by the cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP2C19 and CYP3A4. . It concluded that in the human pylorus, it decreased muscular tone, maximal contraction values, and contraction frequencies. When diclofenac sodium SR, glucosamine, diacerein, calcium, and vitamin D preparations were administered in addition to rabeprazole, the patients experienced GI bleeding, fatty liver grade 1, mild epigastric discomfort, black stools, and decreased haemoglobin content.

Fermented Ananas comosus and Carica papaya harbour putative probiotic Limosilactobacillus fermentum and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei strains with inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase and α-amylase

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the condition represented by persistent hyperglycaemia, owing to the altered glucose metabolism. The current research aims to assess the capabilities of strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) that were obtained from fermented Ananas comosus (A. comosus) and Carica papaya (C. papaya) (non-dairy sources) as probiotics for the prevention of DM. The capacity of the strains to endure or survive extreme conditions was evaluated using bile tolerance using oxgall at varying concentrations, hydrophobicity, coaggregation ability, adhesion ability, and hemolytic activity, and their survival rate in gastric and intestinal juices. The LAB strains demonstrated the following results: phenol (>7 Log CFU/mL), acid-bile conditions (6.53–7.11 Log CFU/mL), gastric and intestinal juice tolerance (6.18–7.33 Log CFU/mL), thereby fulfilling the requirements to be a prospective probiotic agent. The LAB strains showed characteristics of cell surface hydrophobicity (≥ 40 %), autoaggregation (≥ 70 %), and coaggregation (≤ 48 %). Furthermore, they demonstrated antioxidant activity (≥ 59 %) as well as the ability to lower blood sugar levels by inhibiting α-glucosidase (≤ 57 %) and α-amylase (≤ 64 %). The development of antidiabetic probiotics from fermented papaya and pineapple has several potential uses. These probiotics may be used as functional foods or supplements to improve glycemic control in individuals with DM. They may also be used as adjunct therapies to conventional diabetes treatments to enhance their efficacy. The results of this research may pave way for creating probiotic products that function as food additives or supplements, with the aim of enhancing health and preventing long-term illnesses like diabetes. Additionally, probiotics have been proven to boost intestinal health, regulate the immune system, and decrease inflammation.

Alginate Beads with Encapsulated Bioactive Substances from Mangifera indica Peels as Promising Peroral Delivery Systems.

Since various bioactive substances are unstable and can degrade in the gastrointestinal tract, their stabilization is crucial. This study aimed to encapsulate mango peel extract (MPE) into edible alginate beads using the ionotropic gelation method for the potential oral delivery of bioactive substances. Mango peels, generally discarded and environmentally harmful, are rich in health-promoting bioactive substances. The alginate beads were examined for entrapment efficiency, particle size, morphology, thermal stability, physiochemical interactions, release profile under gastrointestinal conditions, and antibacterial efficacy. The study demonstrated the successful encapsulation of MPE with an efficiency of 63.1%. The in vitro release study showed the stability of the alginate beads in simulated gastric fluid with a maximum release of 45.0%, and sustained, almost complete release (99.4%) in simulated intestinal fluid, indicating successful absorption into the human body. In both fluids, the MPE release followed first-order kinetics. Encapsulation successfully maintained the antibacterial properties of MPE, with significant inhibitory activity against pathogenic intestinal bacteria. This is the first study on MPE encapsulation in alginate beads, presenting a promising oral delivery system for high-added-value applications in the food industry for dietary supplements, functional foods, or food additives. Their production is sustainable and economical, utilizing waste material and reducing environmental pollution.

Dietary Habits and Their Impact on Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).

Introduction Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is marked by the frequent occurrence of stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus, causing symptoms such as heartburn and acid regurgitation at least once a week. When reflux leads to troublesome symptoms and esophageal damage and adversely affects quality of life, it is diagnosed as GERD. Age, gender, ethnicity, genetic predispositions, and aspects of diet and lifestyle, including factors like obesity and smoking, are associated with GERD. Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted within the Departments of General Medicine, Surgery, and Gastroenterology at Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH) in Peshawar, spanning from January 2024 to June 2024. Patients who visited these departments or the Outpatient Department within the specified period with GERD were included in the study. A non-probability purposive sampling technique was used. For the analysis, we utilized IBM SPSS Statistics version 21. Results This study consists of 280 participants. The mean age of the participants in this study was 44.60 years. GERD has a significant association with obesity (69.99) and lack of exercise (80%), and a negative association was found between other gastrointestinal conditions (55.71%) and smoking (64.28). Common symptoms among GERD patients were swallowing difficulty, regurgitation, heartburn, and chest pain. Conclusion Our study is the first to examine the relationship between lifestyle factors and GERD among Pakistani patients. Our findings highlight significant associations between GERD and several factors, including gender, BMI, dietary habits, and lack of exercise. Notably, cultural and regional differences appear to influence GERD prevalence and its risk factors, as demonstrated by the minimal impact of alcohol consumption in our study population.

Spray-drying microencapsulation of plum peel bioactives using Arabic gum and maltodextrin as coating matrix

The goal of the current study is to develop a microencapsulation formulation of plum peel bioactives in Arabic gum and/or maltodextrin through spray-drying. A mixture design of experiments was used with 2 coating materials (Arabic gum and maltodextrin) and 1 process factor (inlet temperature) to find the optimum conditions for maximizing the encapsulation efficiency (EE) in terms of total phenolic content (TPC), encapsulation yield (EY), antioxidant activity and total anthocyanin content (TAC). The systems for the selected 4 responses were modeled satisfactorily (p < 0.0001) with non-significant lack of fit (p > 0.05). The optimum conditions (5% maltodextrin and 5% Arabic gum at 160 °C) to obtain the maximum yields (85% EE, 81.50% EY, 5.78 mg trolox equivalents of antioxidant activity per g dried microcapsule and 0.65 TAC as mg cyaniding-3-glucoside per g dried microcapsule) were tested to confirm the proposed method. The difference between the actual and the predicted values were less than 2%. Moreover, morphological and physicochemical properties of the microparticles were also performed. Release behaviour of the TPC was also investigated based on the in vitro digestion test. TPC release in the gastric fluid was higher than in the intestinal fluid (78.92% versus 69.37%).