Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 22, 2026
06:30
Efficient Purification of Elastin-Like Polypeptides (ELPs) from E. coli Using an Organic Solvent-based Extraction and Precipitation Method
Published on: January 9, 2026
1.5K
Enhanced Intestinal Absorption of Proteins via a Natural Metabolite-Based Deep Eutectic System
Simiao Di1,2,3, Jie Luo1,2,3, Yongqiang Lian1,2,3
1State Key Laboratory of Marine Food Processing and Safety Control, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266404, China.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
|April 21, 2026
Summary
A novel betaine and lactic acid-based deep eutectic system (BL-DES) enhances intestinal protein absorption. This food-grade system improves insulin delivery and exhibits good biocompatibility, promoting drug transport via tight junction modulation.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Drug Delivery
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Enhancing intestinal absorption of therapeutic proteins like insulin is challenging due to mucus barriers and low permeability.
- Natural metabolite-based systems offer potential for safe and effective drug delivery strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a food-grade deep eutectic system (DES) using betaine and lactic acid (BL-DES) for improved intestinal protein absorption.
- To assess the efficacy and biocompatibility of BL-DES for delivering insulin across the intestinal barrier.
Main Methods:
- Formulation of a betaine and lactic acid-based deep eutectic system (BL-DES).
- Assessment of BL-DES effects on simulated intestinal mucus viscosity and protein permeability (using insulin as a model).
- Evaluation of the hypoglycemic effect of jejunally administered insulin@BL-DES in vivo.
- Biocompatibility testing through hematological, cellular, and histological analyses.
- Mechanistic studies to elucidate the transport pathway promoted by BL-DES.
Main Results:
- BL-DES effectively reduced intestinal mucus viscosity and enhanced insulin permeability.
- Jejunal administration of insulin@BL-DES demonstrated a significant hypoglycemic effect.
- Hematological, cellular, and histological data confirmed the favorable biocompatibility of BL-DES.
- BL-DES was found to promote paracellular transport by reversibly opening tight junctions.
Conclusions:
- BL-DES represents a promising food-grade strategy for enhancing intestinal protein absorption.
- The system's ability to improve insulin delivery and its favorable safety profile warrant further investigation for therapeutic applications.
- Understanding the mechanism of tight junction modulation provides insights for designing advanced oral delivery systems.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:27Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Permeability Enhancement
342
After oral administration, poor permeability often limits the rate at which drugs are absorbed through the intestinal epithelium. Enhancing drug permeability is crucial for effective therapy, and several strategies have been developed to overcome this challenge.One effective strategy involves the use of lipid-based formulations. These formulations enhance dissolution and solubility, targeting physiological mechanisms to increase drug absorption. This includes stimulating bile salt secretion,...
342
01:20Factors Affecting Dissolution: Drug Permeability, Stability and Stereochemistry
723
Orally administered drugs primarily enter the systemic circulation via passive diffusion through the intestinal membranes. The drug's absorption is influenced by drug stability in the gastrointestinal GI tract, membrane permeability, the surface area available for absorption, luminal drug concentration, and residence time in the lumen. Drug permeability can be enhanced by adjusting the lipophilicity, polarity, or molecular size of the drug, promoting its passive transport across intestinal...
723
01:05Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Stability Enhancement and GI Retention
331
Improving a drug's stability in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is paramount for enhancing its bioavailability and therapeutic effectiveness. Various strategies are employed to protect the drug from the harsh gastric milieu and to ensure its release and absorption at the desired site within the GI tract.Polymer coatings are one such method used to shield drugs from the stomach's acidic environment. By preventing premature drug release, these coatings improve the bioavailability of unstable...
331
01:12Protein Absorption
1.6K
Proteins in the gastrointestinal tract typically come from food, but they can also originate from disintegrated cells or secreted enzymes. In the stomach, the enzyme pepsin breaks down these proteins into polypeptides. The fragments then move into the duodenum as a semi-fluid mass called chyme. Pancreatic proteases, such as trypsin and chymotrypsin, and intestinal brush border enzymes like carboxypeptidases further dismantle the polypeptides into tripeptides, dipeptides, and free amino acids.
1.6K
01:16Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Solubility Enhancement
489
Bioavailability is a critical factor in determining a drug's effectiveness. It refers to the proportion of a drug that enters the circulation when introduced into the body and is, as a result, able to have an active effect. Enhancing bioavailability is essential for drugs with poor solubility, as it can significantly impact their therapeutic efficacy. Various methods are employed to increase the solubility of drugs, thereby enhancing their bioavailability.Micronization and nanonization are...
489
01:16Methods for Studying Drug Absorption: In vitro
826
In vitro experiments are crucial for understanding the transport and absorption of drugs through biological materials. These studies employ varied methods such as the diffusion cell method, the everted sac technique, and the everted ring technique.
The diffusion cell method uses a two-compartment cell, including a donor compartment with the drug solution, which simulates the environment where the drug is applied, and a receptor compartment with a buffer solution, which simulates the environment...
The diffusion cell method uses a two-compartment cell, including a donor compartment with the drug solution, which simulates the environment where the drug is applied, and a receptor compartment with a buffer solution, which simulates the environment...
826