Micromotors Spontaneously Neutralize Gastric Acid for pH-Responsive Payload Release

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• The stomach's acidic environment limits oral drug efficacy.
• Proton pump inhibitors have side effects.
• Novel acid-neutralizing strategies are needed for gastric drug delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop autonomous microdevices for gastric acid neutralization.
• To enable pH-triggered payload release for therapeutic applications.
• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of these microdevices in vivo.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of magnesium-based micromotors.
• Coating micromotors with pH-responsive polymers for cargo encapsulation.
• In vitro testing of acid neutralization and propulsion.
• In vivo studies in a mouse model to assess safety, efficacy, and stomach function.

Main Results:

• Micromotors efficiently neutralized gastric acid via chemical propulsion.
• Payload release was successfully triggered by acid neutralization.
• No significant acute toxicity or adverse effects on stomach function were observed.
• Normal stomach pH was restored within 24 hours post-administration.

Conclusions:

• Magnesium micromotors offer a safe and effective method for gastric acid neutralization.
• This technology facilitates localized, triggered drug delivery in the stomach.
• The microdevice system presents a promising alternative to traditional acid-blocking therapies.