Gastric Acid Research Articles

Implementation of the Box-Behnken Design in the Development and Optimization of Methotrexate-Loaded Microsponges for Colon Cancer.

Methotrexate (MTX) is an effective anticancer agent with limited water solubility, resulting in lower absorption in the gastrointestinal tract when administered orally. The present aim of the study is to construct sustained-release formulation of MTX-loaded microsponges with enhanced intestinal absorption and bioavailability using a quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion method. The Box-Behnken design (BBD) was adopted for this purpose. Particle size, encapsulation efficiency (EE), Q 2 h % (% drug release in 2 h), and Q 24 h % (% drug release in 24 h) were used as dependent factors, and polyvinyl alcohol, solvent, and stirring speed were used as independent factors. The prepared microsponges were characterized to assess their particle size and encapsulation efficacy (%). Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry were used to verify the compatibility study. Moreover, the cytotoxicity study was conducted on the HT-29 cell line. The optimized formulation exhibited a % encapsulation efficacy of 87.191% and a particle size of 2.176 µm. Furthermore, the optimized formulation demonstrated sustained drug release (85.71%) in Simulated Gastric Fluid (SGF) fluid at different pHs 1.2, 6.8, and 7.4. The stability study of the optimized formulation revealed good stability in terms of drug release, % encapsulation efficacy, and particle size. The results of the optimized formulation demonstrated that the viability of HT-29 colon cancer (CC) cells was dose-dependently decreased by MTX-loaded microsponges. BBD was successfully employed for the development and optimization of MTX microsponges filled in Eudragit S-100-coated hard gelatin capsule, depicting their potential release of MTX from microsponges capsule only at the colonic region and found to be potential carrier system for CC.

Impact of sodium alginate hydrogel containing bacteriophage peptides that specifically bind to the EtCab protein on the inhibition of Eimeria tenella infection

Avian coccidiosis, caused by the protozoan Eimeria, leads to significant economic losses for the poultry industry. In this study, bacteriophages that specifically bind to the calcium-binding protein (EtCab) of Eimeria tenella were selected using a biopanning process with a pIII phage display library. The recombinant EtCab protein served as the ligand in this selection process. The binding ability of target phages to the EtCab protein or E. tenella sporozoites was evaluated. The role of peptides corresponding to target phages in inhibiting the invasion of E. tenella sporozoites into cells was analysed using flow cytometry. Subsequently, the phages were encapsulated in sodium alginate to protect them from degradation in gastric fluid, which has a low pH value. Chickens were orally administered both microencapsulated and non-microencapsulated phages, and the protective effects against E. tenella infection were assessed. The binding mechanism of these peptides to the EtCab protein was investigated through in silico analysis. The results indicated that three specific phages (Y, G, and V) could bind effectively to recombinant EtCab protein as well as to sporozoite proteins. All three peptides, particularly Y and G, demonstrated significant inhibition of sporozoite invasion into cells in vitro. Additionally, oral administration of the encapsulated phages Y and G provided a higher level of protection against Eimeria infection compared to encapsulated phage V and the unencapsulated phages. Molecular docking studies revealed that three peptides, particularly Y and G, efficiently bind to the EtCab protein through hydrogen bonds. This study provides a reference for developing small molecular drugs targeting coccidiosis.

Evaluation of the in vitro probiotic properties of Ligilactobacillus salivarius JCF5 and its impact on Jersey yogurt quality.

Jersey milk, known for its high protein content, is an excellent base for yogurt production. Given that Jersey milk is derived from Jersey cows, this study was to isolate probiotics from Jersey cow feces and investigate their potential as alternative starter cultures for fermenting Jersey milk. Our goal was to develop new starter cultures specifically suited for Jersey yogurt production, while also contributing to the diversity of fermentation agents available for dairy products. This study aimed to evaluate the probiotic functions of Ligilactobacillus salivarius isolated from the feces of newborn Jersey calves after colostrum consumption and to investigate its impact as a starter culture on the quality of Jersey yogurt. A lactic acid bacterial strain was screened through acid and bile salt tolerance tests and simulated gastrointestinal experiments. The strain survived up to 42.8% after 3 h of cultivation at pH 2, and its viable count after 3 h of cultivation in a medium containing 0.3% bile salt was 3 log(CFU mL-1). Additionally, the survival rates after 3 h of treatment with gastric and intestinal juices were 90.67 ± 0.41% and 84.97 ± 1.40%, respectively, indicating good acid and bile salt tolerance. Identification using 16S rDNA showed that the strain was L. salivarius JCF5. This strain improved the texture properties such as viscosity, elasticity and cohesiveness of yogurt when used in combination with commercial starter cultures. Ligilactobacillus salivarius JCF5 is a promising probiotic strain for enhancing the quality of Jersey yogurt. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

Lipid core-chitosan shell hybrid nanoparticles for enhanced oral bioavailability of sorafenib.

Limited aqueous solubility is a major hurdle resulting in poor and variable oral bioavailability, high doses, side effects, and the suboptimal therapeutic efficacy of sorafenib (SRF). In this study, we developed SRF-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SRF-SLNs) and lipid core-chitosan shell hybrid nanoparticles (CS-SRF-SLNs) to improve the oral absorption of SRF. SRF-SLNs were prepared using a stearyl alcohol core stabilized with a surfactant mixture, followed by surface decoration with chitosan to form CS-SRF-SLNs. The developed SRF-SLNs and CS-SRF-SLNs displayed uniform and well-separated spherical particles with small particle size (112.2 and 124.6 nm), low PDI (0.114 and 0.148), adequate zeta potential (-18.6 and +21.2 mV) and high encapsulation efficiency (92.0 and 91 %). Thermal and crystallinity studies (DSC and PXRD) confirmed the successful incorporation of SRF into the lipid matrix and its conversion to the amorphous state. The CS-SRF-SLNs demonstrated sustained SRF release in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids with improved aqueous solubility. Following oral administration to rats, CS-SRF-SLNs significantly improved SRF bioavailability compared with SRF-SLNs and SRF dispersion. Collectively, CS-SRF-SLNs were found to be superior to SRF-SLNs owing to their better sustained-release profile and pharmacokinetic parameters, thereby demonstrating their usefulness for oral delivery by minimizing the solubility-related issues of SRF.

Intestine-Decipher Engineered Capsules Protect Against Sepsis-induced Intestinal Injury via Broad-spectrum Anti-inflammation and Parthanatos Inhibition.

Sepsis is a severe systemic inflammatory syndrome characterized by a dysregulated immune response to infection, often leading to high mortality rates. The intestine, owing to its distinct structure and physiological environment, plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of sepsis. It functions as the "central organ" or "engine" in the progression of sepsis, with intestinal injury exacerbating the condition. Despite the availability of current therapies that offer partial symptom relief, they fall short of adequately protecting the intestinal barrier. In this study, an advanced nanodrug formulation (OLA@MΦ NPs) is developed by coating macrophage membranes onto polymeric organic nanoparticles encapsulating olaparib. When loaded into pH-responsive capsules, an intestine-decipher engineered capsule (cp-OLA@MΦ NPs) is successfully formulated. Upon oral administration in septic mice, these capsules withstand gastric acid and release their contents in the intestine, specifically targeting injured tissues. The released OLA@MΦ NPs effectively neutralize pro-inflammatory cytokines via macrophage membrane receptors, while olaparib inhibits intestinal epithelial parthanatos (a form of programmed cell death) by suppressing poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) activation. This strategy significantly reduces bacterial translocation, slows the progression of sepsis, and enhances survival in septic mice, thus presenting a promising therapeutic approach for sepsis in clinical applications.

Sleeve gastrectomy reveals the plasticity of the human gastric epithelium

Gastrin is secreted following a rise in gastric pH, leading to gastric acid secretion. Sleeve gastrectomy (SG), a bariatric surgery where 80% of the gastric corpus is excised, presents a challenge for gastric pH homeostasis. Using histology, and single-cell RNA sequencing of the gastric epithelium in 12 women, we observed that SG is associated with an increase in a sub-population of acid-secreting parietal cells that overexpress respiratory enzymes and an increase in histamine-secreting enterochromaffin-like cells (ECLs). ECLs of SG-operated patients overexpressed genes coding for biosynthesis of neuropeptides and serotonin. Mathematical modeling showed that pH homeostasis by gastrin is analogous to non-linear proportional and integral control, that drives adaptation of the epithelium to acid-secretion demand. Quantitative model predictions were validated in patients. The results demonstrate human gastric epithelium remodeling following SG at the molecular and cellular levels, and more generally how trophic hormones enable robust adaptation of tissue function to meet physiological demand.

Oral iron sulfide prevents acute alcohol intoxication by initiating the endogenous multienzymatic antioxidant defense system.

Acute alcohol intoxication could cause multiorgan damage, including nervous, digestive, and cardiovascular systems, and in particular, irreversible damage to the brain and liver. Emerging studies have revealed that the endogenous multienzymatic antioxidant defense system (MEAODS) plays a central role in preventing oxidative stress and other toxicological compounds produced by alcohol. However, few available drugs could quickly regulate MEAODS. Herein, we report a nanosized iron sulfide (nFeS) that can rapidly release polysulfide species in gastric juice. The released hydrogen polysulfide activates the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway via S-persulfidation of cysteine residues in Keap1, which promotes the expression of antioxidant enzymes and glutathione synthesis-related enzymes, thus potentiating MEAODS. Results indicate that the activated MEAODS not only alleviates oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain and liver but also mitigates movement dysfunction after only 2.5 hours of oral nFeS treatment. Collectively, this study provides a MEAODS-regulated strategy with nFeS and may aid the prevention of acute alcoholic injury.

Emergency department visits for patients with end-stage kidney disease in Korea: registry data from the National Emergency Department Information System 2019-2021.

Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) frequently visit the emergency department (ED) due to complications from comorbidities and dialysis. This study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes and patterns of ED visits, hospitalizations, and in-hospital mortality among ED visits by ESKD patients in South Korea. This study utilized data from the National Emergency Department Information System from 2019 to 2021. ED visits were analyzed for ESKD patients and compared with non-chronic kidney disease (non-CKD) patients. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess factors associated with hospitalization and mortality, adjusting for demographics, insurance, and clinical characteristics, including the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale (KTAS). The study included 125,392 ED visits from ESKD patients and 19,287,972 from non-CKD patients. ED visits by ESKD patients had significantly higher hospitalization (66.7%) and in-hospital mortality (9.4%) rates compared to those by non-CKD patients (21.0% and 5.1%, respectively). ESKD patients were older, more frequently female, and more likely to receive medical aid. Factors strongly associated with higher hospitalization and mortality rates included advanced age, male sex, transfer from another facility, higher KTAS scores, and prolonged ED stays. Common causes of ED visits in ESKD patients included vascular device complications, digestive system disorders, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, and fluid or electrolyte imbalances. ED visits by patients with ESKD were characterized by high severity, hospitalization rates, and in-hospital mortality. Further research on factors affecting clinical outcomes may improve mortality and morbidity in this population.

Development and in vitro/in vivo evaluation of taste-masked orodispersible films of dapoxetine hydrochloride using ion exchange resins.

Dapoxetine hydrochloride tablets are the most commonly used drug for the treatment of premature ejaculation (PE). However, the tablets must be taken with water 1-3h before sexual activity, which makes the medication intake conspicuous and inconvenient. This study aimed to develop taste-masked orodispersible films (ODFs) of dapoxetine hydrochloride using ion exchange resins. It was found that the based-Kyron T-134 resin complex achieved a high drug loading of 75.9 ± 1.4%, establishing the mass ratio of dapoxetine hydrochloride to Kyron T-134 at 2:1, and adjusting the solution pH to 5.4 ± 0.05. The effect of pH on the drug loading of the resin was initially characterized by SEM, while the binding mechanism between dapoxetine hydrochloride and the resin was investigated by XRD, DSC, and FTIR. The ODFs exhibited favorable mechanical properties and palatability. Meanwhile, the drug release in both the ODFs and commercially available tablets Priligy® could reach 100.8% of the drug over 15min in a simulated gastric fluid with pH 1.2 HCl. Furthermore, pharmacokinetic studies conducted in healthy volunteers demonstrated that the ODFs were bioequivalent to Priligy®. Therefore, this ODFs, characterized by its pleasant taste and water-free administration, offer a novel and convenient oral formulation for patients with PE, thereby enhancing patient compliance.

Probiotic Characterization of Lactic Acid Bacteria from Donkey Feces in China.

Probiotics are beneficial to humans and animals and often used for regulating immunity, intestinal microbiota balance, and animal growth performance. Donkey husbandry has boomed in China in recent years and there is an urgent need for probiotics effective for improving donkey health. However, studies on potential probiotic strains isolated from donkeys are scarce. This project aimed to screen LAB strains from donkey feces, detect their antimicrobial activity and evaluate their probiotic characteristics in vitro. Thirteen LAB isolates showed different degrees of antimicrobial activity against four indicator bacteria: three common pathogens (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella typhimurium) and one pathogen restricted to equines (Salmonella. abortus equi), eight of which could inhibit all four pathogens. Seven isolates showed higher tolerance to low pH and bile salts, with >50% and >60% survival rates, respectively. Five of them had more than 50% survival rate to artificial gastric and intestinal fluids. Only three isolates possessed good properties, with >40% auto-aggregation, >40% hydrophobicity, and high co-aggregation with the indicator pathogens. An L9 isolate, identified as Ligilactobacillus salivarius, was sensitive to most antibiotics tested. Overall, these results indicate that the L. salivarius L9 isolate meets the requirements of the probiotics selection criteria in vitro and can potentially be developed as a probiotic for donkeys.

Modification of Ganoderma lucidum spore shells into probiotic carriers: selective loading and colonic delivery of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus and effective therapy of inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammation with a high incidence rate. Many probiotics, including Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus (L. rhamnosus), have shown promise in IBD treatment. The therapeutic effects of most probiotics are greatly decided by the available live cells in the disease lesion, which is compromised as they pass through the gastric juice and intestinal tract, resulting in a loss of activity. To improve probiotic delivery efficiency in the intestinal tract, broken Ganoderma lucidum spore shells (bGLS) were explored as a carrier to enhance the intestinal tract delivery of L. rhamnosus SHA113, a probiotic that has been verified to have capability to treat IBD. It was found the bGLS treated with iturin A and hydrochloric acid (IH-bGLS) had much higher affinity to probiotic cells than the untreated ones. This is possibly due to the enhancement of hydrophobic and positive charge of bGLS. Furthermore, IH-bGLS demonstrated an 81% loading efficiency for L. rhamnosus SHA113 and 2.2% for Escherichia coli. More importantly, loading in IH-bGLS greatly enhanced the delivery of L. rhamnosus SHA113 cells to the colon and prolonged their retention time from 48 to over 120 h (P < 0.01). The mechanisms might be related to the enhancement of probiotic cell adhesion to the gastrointestinal mucosa, increase of mucus secretion and the upregulated expression of tight junction proteins, occludin and ZO-1, in the colon. The results of the animal experiment showed that the therapeutic effects of L. rhamnosus SHA113 on IBD were greatly enhanced when they were loaded with IH-bGLS. The novelty of this research is in the development of probiotic carriers from bGLS, which has significance in the improvement of intestinal delivery efficiency and the therapeutic effects of probiotics on IBD. This system may have attractive application in the enhancement of probiotic delivery efficiency in the intestinal tract, which is important to ensure and enhance the beneficial effects of probiotics.

Dissolution and Pharmacokinetic Studies of Paracetamol-4,4′-Bipyridine Cocrystals Obtained Using Four Methods

Paracetamol-4,4′-bipyridine cocrystals were synthesized using a solution method, reflux method, grinding method, and ultrasonic method. The structures and properties were characterized through the utilization of single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SXRD), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), polarized light microscopy (PLM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), elemental analysis (EA), and infrared spectroscopy (IR). The results show that the four methods synthesized different cocrystal morphologies, but the same structure and properties coupled with a notably high purity level. All featured strong hydrogen bonds formed between the paracetamol,4,4′-bipyridine and water molecules. An additional notable feature is the presence of π...π stacking interactions between the pyridine rings of adjacent 4,4′-bipyridine molecules. The solubility of paracetamol (active pharmaceutical ingredient, API) and the cocrystal was measured and discussed. In the dissolution experiment, the cocrystal showed a much faster dissolution rate than the API in simulated gastric fluid media (pH = 1.2). Furthermore, the pharmacokinetic (PK) behavior of the cocrystal and the API was investigated to evaluate the effectiveness of this strategy for enhancing the oral absorption of paracetamol. The in vitro and in vivo studies revealed that the paracetamol-4,4′-bipyridine cocrystal possessed an excellent dissolution behavior and an improved pharmacokinetic profile.

Colon-Targeted Ginseng Polysaccharides-Based Microspheres for Improving Ulcerative Colitis via Anti-Inflammation and Gut Microbiota Modulation.

Natural plant-derived polysaccharides exhibit substantial potential for treating ulcerative colitis (UC) owing to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and favorable safety profiles. However, their practical application faces several challenges, including structural instability in gastric acid, imprecise targeting of inflamed regions, and limited intestinal retention times. To address these limitations, pH-responsive, colon-targeting microspheres (pWGPAC MSs) are developed for delivering phosphorylated wild ginseng polysaccharides (pWGP) to alleviate UC. These pWGPAC MSs are fabricated by incorporating pWGP into calcium-crosslinked alginate microspheres with subsequent chitosan surface modification to enhance mucosal adhesion. These pWGPAC MSs demonstrated exceptional stability under acidic conditions while enabling targeted release in the colon. In a mouse model of UC, the pWGPAC MSs effectively mitigated mucosal injury, attenuated inflammation, and restored intestinal barrier function. Further mechanistic investigations revealed that these pWGPAC MSs modulated the TLR4/MYD88 signaling pathway and promoted M2 macrophage polarization. Integrated microbiome and metabolome analyses demonstrated that these pWGPAC MSs regulated the gut microbiota composition and decreased pro-inflammatory metabolite levels. In addition, these microspheres demonstrated promising safety profiles. Collectively, these findings establish pWGPAC MSs as a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of UC and provide a solid foundation for future clinical applications.

PH Controlled Transient Cyclization of Peptides for Increased Stability towards Oral Delivery.

Peptides are highly efficient for treatment of many diseases, especially in oncology and diabetes. Oral delivery of peptides is desirable, but is challenged by low bioavailability and new chemical methods to enable oral delivery are needed. Here, we developed pH responsive linearization as a strategy for transient protection of peptides to extend their half-life in model systems. Peptides were cyclized to increase their stability at the low pH in the stomach, while they linearize at neutral pH to form the active peptide. We developed ester based responsive linkers with a protonable amine for O-to-N acyl shift, which allowed linearization strategies based on pyroglutamoyl (pGlu) or diketopiperazine (DKP) formation. After coupling of the linker, peptides were cyclized by CuAAC. We studied the stability against simulated gastric fluid (SGF) at different pH and the ability of cyclic peptides to linearize. This led to PYY3-36 analogues with pH responsive linearization for increased stability.

A Current Review on Transdermal Delivery of Protein and Peptides: Possibilities and Challenges

Abstract: Transdermal drug administration has become increasingly popular in pharmaceutical research due to its potential to enhance drug bioavailability, patient compliance, and therapeutic effectiveness. Transdermal administration of proteins and peptides has proven to be a viable method for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy and patient adherence to biologic medications. Administering proteins and peptides through the gastrointestinal route exposes them to stomach acid and enzymes, causing denaturation and resulting in poor bioavailability. Moreover, to address these issues, various research groups are focusing on transdermal delivery systems as an alternative route of administration. Therefore, in this article, we tried to cover the recent developments in formulation strategies, transdermal delivery systems, and regulatory issues for protein and peptide medicines. The main approaches for peptide administration, including nanoparticle carriers, biophysical enhancement techniques, and microneedle-based devices, have been discussed to overcome the difficulties of delivering macromolecular medications through the skin barrier. Furthermore, we analyse the regulatory environment that oversees the creation and authorization of transdermal peptide and protein delivery systems, highlighting the significance of quality control, safety, and efficacy, while also focusing on clinical advancements and recent research findings.. This review attempts to offer insights delivery of peptides and proteins. This study focuses on transdermal methods, summarizing recent advancements in protein and peptide drug delivery. The transdermal route is favored over oral administration due to its numerous advantages, including non-invasiveness, high patient compliance, and avoidance of the first-pass effect. Consequently, it highlights the development of an efficient carrier system that demonstrates these benefits effectively.

Research progress on the performance of expandable systems for long-term gastric retention.

Gastroretentive systems have gained attention due to their prolonged retention time in the human body, and they have the potential to improve treatment effects, simplify treatment regimens, and improve patient compliance. Among these systems, expandable gastroretentive systems (EGRSs) have emerged as an important type of carrier that can reside in the stomach for a desired period through on-demand expansion for drug delivery, obesity intervention, and medical diagnosis. As the physiological environment significantly influences the performance of EGRSs, here, the physiological factors such as the stomach's physiological structure and activity pattern, and the character of gastric juice are summarized. Following this, the research progress of EGRSs from ingestion to removal for long-term gastric retention is discussed with respect to the influencing factors and reinforcement strategies in mechanics. Additionally, as the duration of gastric retention increases, safety concerns arise. As such, safety issues in terms of removal after retention or in an emergency are also analyzed. Finally, the biomedical application of EGRSs as diagnostic and therapeutic tools and the potential direction for further research are discussed. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Expandable gastroretentive systems (EGRSs) resist gastric emptying due to their size exceeding the pylorus diameter, offering promising advantages for obesity intervention, drug delivery, and carrying sensors. However, a long gastroretentive time only by such a size mismatch is hard to be achieved due to the uninterrupted stomach contraction and gastric juice erosion. Recent studies indicate that the retention time and stability of EGRSs can be regulated by adjusting their mechanical properties. Hence, this review summarizes the state-of-art progress of EGRSs for long-term gastric retention from a mechanical perspective for the first time, focuses on material components and synthesis methods, and the reinforcement strategies, and suggests the required mechanical property parameters of EGRSs.

Isolation of New Strains of Lactic Acid Bacteria from the Vaginal Microbiome of Postmenopausal Women and their Probiotic Characteristics

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), traditionally consumed as fermented foods, are now being applied to the medical field beyond health-functional food as probiotics. Therefore, it is necessary to continuously discover and evaluate new strains with suitable probiotic characteristics, mainly focusing on safety. In this study, we isolated eight new strains from postmenopausal vaginal fluid using culturomics approaches, an emerging area of interest. Data showed that most strains possessed significant cell surface hydrophobicity (≥ 76%), auto-aggregation capacity (17 to 61%), strong adhesion activity (8 to 34%), and excellent resistance to gastric acid, bile salt, and digestive enzyme, enhancing their survival in the gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, the strains exhibited functional characteristics, including substantial antibacterial activity with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 12.5 to 50%. They also harbored bacteriocins genes, produced short-chain fatty acids (acetate and propionate), exhibited significant phagocytic activity, possessed high antioxidative properties, rapidly depleted sodium nitrite, and exhibited proteolysis and β-glucosidase activity. In addition, heat-killed LAB strains significantly reduced the gene expressions of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-β, IL-6, and iNOS in macrophages. Safety assessment revealed no cytotoxicity in macrophage cell lines. All strains tested negative for biogenic amine or H2O2 production, displayed no gelatinase or hemolytic activity, lacked virulence genes or detrimental enzymes, and displayed antibiotic susceptibility. In summary, these newly isolated strains demonstrate excellent probiotic functionality with a strong focus on safety, making them promising candidates for future drug development in the relevant fields.

Enhanced Osteoporosis Treatment via Nano Drug Coating Encapsulating Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG.

Osteoporosis is the most common systemic skeletal disorder, particularly associated with aging and postmenopausal women. With the growing knowledge about the gut-bone axis, the therapeutic strategies for osteoporosis have been shifted toward regulating gut microbiota to promote positive bone metabolism. AlthoughLactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) is widely reported to positively regulate bone metabolism by restoring the dysbiotic microbiome, oral administration is associated with sensitivity to gastric fluid and low bioavailability. Other studies also demonstrated that bisphosphonates ameliorate osteoporosis by directly regulating bone metabolism, especially inhibiting osteoclast activity. However, the side effects caused by bisphosphonate treatment still represent a significant problem. In this study, we assembled alendronate, a clinically used bisphosphonate, with DSPE-phospholipid nanoencapsulation and LGG (ADB), to protect LGG from the acidic environment of the stomach, while simultaneously reducing the gastrointestinal side effects associated with the oral administration of alendronate. We further investigated the potential of these DSPE-phospholipid nanoencapsulated bacteria ADB to repair osteoporotic bone deterioration, and their ability to regulate gut microbiota in vivo, which is strongly associated with the intrinsic environment. Compared with the same dosage of LGG and alendronate alone, ADB positively regulated bone metabolism, and osteoporosis was significantly revised in ovariectomized mice models.

Gastroprotective Effects of Aqueous Extracts of Broccoli Stems on Acute Injury in Rats: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Gastric Function and Inflammatory Responses.

Background and Objectives: Acute gastric injury is a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder characterized by inflammation and damage to the stomach lining. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential effects of broccoli stem extract (BSE) against acute gastritis in a rat model. Materials and Methods: The antioxidant properties of BSE were evaluated through DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity assays and total polyphenol content analysis. Acute gastric injury was induced using 150 mM HCl/60% EtOH, and male SD rats (6-weeks old, n = 6/group) were administered BSE by oral gavage at concentrations of 50, 125, and 250 mg/kg. Results: The BSE 250 mg/kg group exhibited significant relief of clinical signs compared to the negative control group. In addition, the BSE 250 mg/kg group showed significant improvements in gastric tissue, including macroscopic reductions in ulcer size and improved overall gastric morphology as assessed through gross examination, as well as microscopic improvements such as reduced inflammation and the restoration of mucosal integrity observed in histopathological analysis. BSE modulated NF-κB signaling, decreased inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), and increased PGE2 levels. Pyloric ligation experiments demonstrated reduced pepsin and gastric acid secretion. Improvements in gastric emptying and gastrointestinal motility were also observed in the BSE-treated group. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential of BSE as an effective therapeutic agent for acute gastritis in rats, offering significant improvements in gastric damage, inflammation, and motility.

Efficacy and safety of acupuncture for postoperative gastroparesis syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Postoperative gastroparesis syndrome (PGS) is a common postoperative complication characterized by epigastralgia, nausea, and vomiting. Acupuncture is widely used to aid recovery, but its efficacy and safety have not been systematically evaluated. We retrieved randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using acupuncture as the primary intervention from six databases. After study selection and data extraction, a meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4.1. Study quality was assessed with the Cochrane risk of bias tool, and publication bias was quantitatively evaluated using Egger's test and was corrected using the trimming and filling method. A total of 12 RCTs involving 709 participants (363 in the acupuncture group and 346 in the control group) were included. The meta-analysis showed a significantly higher overall response rate in the acupuncture group than the control group [RD = 0.16, 95% CI (0.11, 0.21), p < 0.001]. Acupuncture also reduced gastric tube indwelling time [MD = -2.36, 95% CI (-3.14, -1.59), p < 0.001], decreased gastric juice drainage [MD = -166.88, 95% CI (-176.57, -156.18), p < 0.001], and improved serum motilin levels [MD = 41.65, 95% CI (30.14, 53.15), p < 0.001]. Four studies reported no adverse events in either group, but the majority of studies did not provide safety data. Acupuncture may alleviate clinical symptoms and shorten hospitalization, potentially by enhancing gastrointestinal motility. However, the lack of safety data in the majority of studies raises concerns about the reliability of these findings and the transferability of the results. Future trials should focus on rigorous randomization, blinding, and comprehensive safety reporting to improve the quality of evidence in this field. ID: INPLASY202320035 URL: https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2023-2-0035/.