Hydrogel Microspheres with Gut-Adaptive Structures for Efficient Probiotic Delivery and Gut-Targeted Release

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Microbiology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Oral probiotics regulate gut microbiota but face challenges due to the harsh digestive environment.
• Existing polysaccharide hydrogels for probiotic delivery have limitations like poor structural integrity and premature release.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel gut-adaptive hydrogel microspheres (GG/GN-TA HMs) for enhanced probiotic protection and targeted oral delivery.
• To improve probiotic survival and efficacy in the gastrointestinal tract.

Main Methods:

• Created hydrogel microspheres using gellan gum (GG) and β-glucan-tannic acid (GN-TA).
• Utilized TA-Ca2+ metal-phenol networks for structural enhancement and gut-targeting properties.
• Evaluated microsphere integrity at low pH and their disassembly in the gut environment.
• Assessed therapeutic effects in a colitis mouse model.

Main Results:

• GG/GN-TA HMs demonstrated excellent structural integrity at low pH and gut-specific disassembly.
• The system enabled probiotic survival in harsh conditions and promoted colon colonization.
• Probiotic-loaded GG/GN-TA HMs significantly alleviated gut inflammation, repaired the gut barrier, and remodeled gut microbiota in colitis mice.

Conclusions:

• GG/GN-TA HMs offer a robust system for probiotic protection and targeted delivery, overcoming limitations of conventional methods.
• The developed hydrogel microspheres promote probiotic-prebiotic synergy for effective gut health management.
• This system shows significant potential for therapeutic applications in inflammatory bowel diseases and gut microbiota modulation.