Lactobacillus rhamnosus JM023 Postbiotic-Loaded Sodium Alginate Hydrogel for Alleviating Alcoholic Gastric Ulcers

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Gastroenterology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Excessive alcohol consumption disrupts gastric homeostasis, leading to gastritis and ulcers.
• Conventional drugs for gastric ulcers have limitations like poor bioavailability and toxicity.
• There is a need for novel therapeutic strategies for alcohol-induced gastric damage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a sodium alginate-based composite hydrogel loaded with Lactobacillus rhamnosus JM023 postbiotics.
• To evaluate the hydrogel's properties and efficacy in alleviating alcohol-induced gastric ulcers.
• To investigate the underlying mechanisms of the hydrogel's therapeutic effects.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a sodium alginate-based composite hydrogel loaded with Lactobacillus rhamnosus JM023 postbiotics.
• Assessment of hydrogel mechanical properties, degradation, and biocompatibility.
• In vivo evaluation of the hydrogel's effect on gastric bleeding and ulcer area in an alcohol-induced ulcer model.
• Analysis of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory markers (SOD, GSH, CAT, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) and related signaling pathways (Nrf2/HO-1, NF-κB).
• Gut microbiota analysis using 16S rRNA sequencing.

Main Results:

• The developed hydrogel demonstrated favorable mechanical properties, slow degradation, and excellent biocompatibility.
• The hydrogel significantly alleviated gastric bleeding and reduced ulcer area.
• Mechanistic studies revealed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects via modulation of key enzymes and signaling pathways.
• The hydrogel treatment restored gut microbiota homeostasis, increasing beneficial bacterial genera.

Conclusions:

• Sodium alginate-based composite hydrogels loaded with Lactobacillus rhamnosus JM023 postbiotics represent a novel and effective strategy for treating alcohol-induced gastric ulcers.
• The hydrogel's therapeutic benefits are attributed to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and gut microbiota-modulating properties.
• This approach offers a promising alternative to conventional synthetic drugs for managing gastric ulcers.