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Oxidized Starch-Chitosan-Mg2+ Gel Enhances Colonic Mg2+ Absorption in Deficient Mice with Associated SCFAs and
Qiyong Guo1, Weihang Cao1, Ling Chen1
1School of Food Science and Engineering, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Green Processing of Natural Products and Product Safety, Engineering Research Center of Starch and Vegetable Protein Processing Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou510640, China.
This study introduces a novel magnesium (Mg2+) gel that enhances absorption by directing Mg2+ to the colon. This formulation improves bioavailability and restores Mg2+ levels in deficient mice.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Conventional magnesium (Mg2+) supplementation has poor bioavailability due to passive intestinal diffusion.
- A novel delivery system is needed to enhance Mg2+ absorption and efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate an oxidized starch-chitosan-Mg2+ composite gel for enhanced Mg2+ delivery to the colon.
- To investigate the mechanism of Mg2+ absorption modulation by resistant polysaccharides and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs).
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a composite gel with controlled Mg2+ release.
- In vitro assessment of gastrointestinal release profiles.
- In vivo evaluation of Mg2+ restoration in Mg2+-deficient mice.
- Analysis of SCFA receptor and Mg2+ transporter expression.
Main Results:
- The composite gel demonstrated controlled Mg2+ release, with reduced upper gastrointestinal release at higher Mg2+ concentrations.
- The gel effectively restored serum Mg2+ levels in deficient mice in a dose-dependent manner.
- Polysaccharide carrier independently enhanced Mg2+ absorption by upregulating SCFA receptors (FFAR2/FFAR3/HCAR2) and Mg2+ transporters (TRPM6/TRPM7/CNNM4).
Conclusions:
- The developed Mg2+ composite gel represents a promising strategy for improving magnesium bioavailability.
- This approach shifts from passive supplementation to active absorption regulation via SCFA-mediated transporter modulation.
- Further research into this delivery system could optimize magnesium therapy and address deficiencies.
