Harsh Conditions Of Gastrointestinal Tract Research Articles

S-layer proteins in microencapsulated freeze-dried probiotic Levilactobacillus brevis strains

The presence of surface (S)-layer proteins as a rare property of lactic acid bacteria plays an important role in the expression of the probiotic properties of the producer strain and protects the cells from unfavourable environmental conditions. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate the role of S-layer proteins of four Levilactobacillus brevis MB1, MB2, MB13, and MB20 strains, previously isolated from human milk. The results showed better survival under simulated gastrointestinal tract (GIT) conditions and better adhesion to Caco-2 cells, achieved when S-proteins were present on the surface of the examined probiotic Levilactobacillus brevis strains. Free cells and cells microencapsulated in alginate, with or without galactooligosaccharides (GOS) and fructooligosaccharides (FOS), survived in high numbers during freeze-drying and one-month storage at 4 °C, as well as during exposure to simulated GIT conditions (>108 CFU/g), thus fulfilling the primary technological criterion for the selection of probiotic strains. Higher survival of freeze-drying of encapsulated cells than free cells, can be attributed to the protective effect of alginate, GOS and FOS as prebiotic agents. However, GOS was more protective than FOS in maintaining the viability of microencapsulated Levilactobacillus brevis MB1, MB2, MB13 and MB20 cells in alginate during storage and under the harsh conditions of GIT and freeze-drying.

Edible Packaging as a Functional Carrier of Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Postbiotics to Boost Food Safety, Quality, and Shelf Life.

The safety limitations of chemical preservatives led to an increasing trend among industries and customers toward preservative-free foods; hence, the necessity has arisen for developing innovative, safe antimicrobial elements to prolong the shelf life. Beneficial microorganisms that are described as probiotics and also their metabolites are increasingly being considered as bioprotective agents. These microorganisms could be beneficial for extending food shelf-life and boosting human health. During distribution and storage (25°C or 4°C), they could contribute to suppressing unwanted microbes and then improving food safety and quality. Also, by tolerating the harsh conditions of gastrointestinal tract (low pH (~3), presence of bile salts, digestive enzymes, competition with other microbes, etc.), probiotics could exert several biological effects at the host. Besides inclusion in foods and supplements, probiotics and their functional metabolites could be delivered via edible packaging (EP). Recent studies have demonstrated the strong potential of pre/pro/post-biotic EP in food biopreservation. These packaging systems may show different potency of food biopreservation. Among others, postbiotics, as metabolic by-products of probiotics, have gained tremendous attention among researchers due to their unique properties like presenting a variety of antimicrobial activities, convenience in use in different industrial stages and commercialization, extended shelf life, and stability in a wide range of pH and temperature. In addition to antimicrobial activities, various bio-EP could differently influence physical or sensorial attributes of food commodities, impacting their acceptance by consumers. Hence, this study is aimed at presenting a comprehensive review of the application of bio-EP, not only by providing a protective barrier against physical damage but also by creating a controlled atmosphere to improve the health and shelf life of food.

In vivo gastrointestinal drug-release monitoring through second near-infrared window fluorescent bioimaging with orally delivered microcarriers

Non-invasive monitoring of gastrointestinal drug release in vivo is extremely challenging because of the limited spatial resolution and long scanning time of existing bioimaging modalities, such as X-ray radiation and magnetic resonance. Here, we report a novel microcarrier that can retain drugs and withstand the harsh conditions of gastrointestinal tract. Significantly, we can track the microcarrier fate and semi-quantitatively monitor the content of drug released in vivo in real time by measuring the fluorescence signals in the second near-infrared window of lanthanide-based downconversion nanoparticles with an absorption competition-induced emission bioimaging system. The microcarriers show a prolonged residence time of up to 72 h in the gastrointestinal tract, releasing up to 62% of their content. Moreover, minimal deposition of the microcarriers is found in non-target organs, such as the liver, spleen and kidney. These findings provide novel insights for the development of therapeutic and bioimaging strategies of orally administered drugs.

Zein-alginate based oral drug delivery systems: Protection and release of therapeutic proteins

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in the development of inflammatory bowel diseases. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) has a great therapeutic potential by scavenging superoxide that is one of ROS; however, in vivo application is limited especially when it is orally administered. SOD is easily degraded in vivo by the harsh conditions of gastrointestinal tract. Here, we design a zein-alginate based oral drug delivery system that protects SOD from the harsh conditions of gastrointestinal tract and releases it in the environment of the small intestine. SOD is encapsulated in zein-alginate nanoparticles (ZAN) via a phase separation method. We demonstrate that ZAN protect SOD from the harsh conditions of the stomach or small intestine condition. ZAN (200:40) at the weight ratio of 200mg zein to 40mg of alginate releases SOD in a pH dependent manner, and it releases 90.8±1.2% of encapsulated SOD at pH 7.4 in 2h, while only 11.4±0.4% of SOD was released at pH 1.3. The encapsulation efficiency of SOD in ZAN (200:40) was 62.1±2.0%. SOD in ZAN (200:40) reduced the intracellular ROS level and it saved 88.9±7.5% of Caco-2 cells from the toxic superoxide in 4 hours. Based on the results, zein-alginate based oral drug delivery systems will have numerous applications to drugs that are easily degradable in the harsh conditions of gastrointestinal tract.

Zein-based oral drug delivery system targeting activated macrophages

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ROS such as hydrogen peroxide and superoxide are overproduced by activated macrophages in RA. As scavengers of ROS, enzymatic proteins such as catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) have a great therapeutic potential; however, in vivo application is limited especially when they are orally administered. Although, the oral route is the most convenient for drug administration, therapeutic proteins are easily degraded in vivo by the harsh conditions of gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Here, we introduce a novel drug delivery system composed of zein, a plant storage protein derived from maize. We demonstrate that zein nanoparticles can protect therapeutic proteins, catalase and SOD, from the harsh conditions of GI tract. Folate-conjugated catalase or SOD in zein nanoparticles can target the activated macrophages and scavenge the ROS generated by macrophages in vitro. This novel drug delivery system will be applicable to other orally administered treatments based on the protective property in the harsh conditions of GI tract.