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An Orally Deliverable, Food-Compatible Lyophilized Recombinant Whole-Cell Catalyst for Alcohol-Associated Liver
Fan Li1, Meng-Yue Zhang1, Xiao-Le Shan1
1School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110016, China.
Microorganisms
|May 4, 2026
Summary
This study presents a novel, food-compatible microbial catalyst to manage alcohol-induced liver stress. Oral administration in mice reduced alcohol levels and improved liver health, offering a promising non-pharmacological approach.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Alcohol consumption causes significant metabolic stress and liver injury, with limited effective oral interventions.
- Pre-absorptive gastrointestinal alcohol handling is an emerging non-pharmacological strategy to mitigate liver damage.
- Current approaches often lack stability and efficacy for oral delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a food-compatible, orally deliverable recombinant whole-cell catalyst for alcohol metabolism.
- To enhance the survivability and stability of engineered microbes for gastrointestinal delivery.
- To evaluate the efficacy of this microbial catalyst in reducing alcohol-induced metabolic stress and liver injury in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Engineered *Escherichia coli* Nissle 1917 to express alcohol dehydrogenase and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase.
- Protected engineered cells using lyophilization and a chitosan-alginate coating, creating an artificial cell wall.
- Tested formulation stability against simulated gastric acid and bile salts, and assessed enzymatic activity post-storage.
- Administered the catalyst orally to alcohol-exposed mice and analyzed blood alcohol/acetaldehyde levels, liver enzymes, and oxidative stress markers.
Main Results:
- The lyophilized, coated microbial formulation demonstrated stability and resistance to simulated gastrointestinal conditions.
- Oral administration in mice significantly reduced blood ethanol and acetaldehyde levels.
- The intervention improved liver biochemical parameters, attenuated hepatic steatosis, and partially restored oxidative stress indicators.
- Multi-omics analyses revealed coordinated gut-associated metabolic and inflammatory responses.
Conclusions:
- This study provides proof-of-concept for a food-compatible, lyophilized recombinant whole-cell catalyst for alcohol metabolism.
- The formulation integrates enzymatic function, stability, and gastrointestinal resilience for oral delivery.
- This microbial framework offers a novel, applied approach for exploring alcohol-related metabolic stress and liver protection.
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