Oral Use of Therapeutic Carbon Monoxide for Anyone, Anywhere, and Anytime

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a therapeutic gas with therapeutic potential in intestinal bowel disease. Therapeutic efficacy in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) must be paired with safe and convenient use. Therefore, we designed an oral CO releasing system (OCORS) pairing tunable CO release into the GIT while preventing the release of any other molecule from within the device, causing safety concerns. The dimensions of the device, which is manufactured from 3D printed components, are within compendial limits. This is achieved by controlling CO decarbonylation from a molybdenum complex with a FeCl₃ solution. OCORS' surrounding silicon membranes control release rates, as does the loading with carbonylated molybdenum complex and FeCl₃ solution. Herein we describe the development of the system, the characterization of the CO releasing molecule (CORM), and the CO release kinetics of the overall system. Neither the CORM nor isocyanoacetate as a potential reaction byproduct were cytotoxic. Finally, we demonstrated by design validation in an in vivo porcine model that, except for the release of the therapeutic CO, OCORS isolates all components during transit through the stomach. We could show that OCORS generated and released CO locally into the stomach of the animals without systemic exposure, measured as the carboxyhemoglobin content in the blood of the pigs. In conclusion, OCORS derisks oral development by limiting patient exposure to (desirable) CO while preventing contact with any further (undesirable) chemical, by-, or degradation products. CO generating devices come in reach, which now can be used by anyone, anywhere, and anytime.