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An enzyme-triggered fuse-like microcapsule for encapsulating probiotics: the treatment of ulcerative colitis
Qikun Cheng1, Mingzhi Xie2, Ting Wu3
1Key Laboratory of Artificial Organs and Computational Medicine in Zhejiang Province, Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, China; State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, Guangdong Provincial Engineering and Technological Research Center for Drug Carrier Development, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
Abstract:
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease, and probiotics have been used for its treatment owing to their efficiency and safety. However, the poor ability of bare probiotics to colonize the colon impairs their anti-inflammatory effects. In our study, an enzyme-triggered fuse-like microcapsule (AP2.0) developed in our previous work was used to encapsulate the probiotic Bifidobacterium Longum subsp. Infantis GIM 1.207 (Bl.infantis) for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Mice were administered AP2.0@Bl.infantis via gavage every other day for seven days. The results demonstrated that the body weight, visceral sections, disease activity index, blood biochemical parameters, cytokines, and blood cells of the AP2.0@Bl.infantis group suggested that the inflammatory response tended to be relieved. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that AP2.0@Bl.infantis could enhance the abundance of Odoribacter, Marinifilaceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Ruminiclostridium_6 spp., which belong to the normal intestinal microflora, to upregulate Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. In conclusion, compared with the anti-inflammatory drug Mesalazine, AP2.0@Bl.infantis can more effectively positively regulate the intestinal flora and alleviate inflammation.
Insights
Encapsulated probiotics (AP2.0@Bl.infantis) effectively treated ulcerative colitis in mice by improving gut microbiota and reducing inflammation, outperforming the drug Mesalazine.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
- Probiotics show promise for UC treatment but lack colon colonization.
- Microcapsule technology can enhance probiotic delivery and efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of enzyme-triggered microcapsules (AP2.0) loaded with Bifidobacterium Longum subsp. Infantis GIM 1.207 (Bl.infantis) for treating ulcerative colitis in a mouse model.
- To investigate the impact of AP2.0@Bl.infantis on gut microbiota composition and inflammatory markers.
- To compare the therapeutic effect of AP2.0@Bl.infantis with the conventional anti-inflammatory drug Mesalazine.
Main Methods:
- Encapsulation of Bl.infantis within AP2.0 microcapsules.
- Administration of AP2.0@Bl.infantis via oral gavage to mice with induced ulcerative colitis.
- Assessment of disease activity, body weight, visceral organ health, blood parameters, and cytokine levels.
- 16S rRNA gene sequencing to analyze gut microbiota composition.
Main Results:
- AP2.0@Bl.infantis administration led to improved body weight, reduced disease activity index, and normalized blood biochemical parameters and blood cell counts, indicating reduced inflammation.
- The treatment significantly altered gut microbiota, increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria like Odoribacter, Marinifilaceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Ruminiclostridium_6, and upregulating Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes phyla.
- Compared to Mesalazine, AP2.0@Bl.infantis demonstrated superior regulation of intestinal flora and more effective alleviation of inflammation.
Conclusions:
- Enzyme-triggered microcapsules (AP2.0) effectively deliver probiotics (Bl.infantis) to the colon, enhancing their therapeutic potential for ulcerative colitis.
- AP2.0@Bl.infantis positively modulates the gut microbiome and exerts significant anti-inflammatory effects in a mouse model of UC.
- This microcapsule-based probiotic strategy offers a promising alternative or adjunct therapy for ulcerative colitis, surpassing conventional treatments like Mesalazine in efficacy.
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