Researchers have developed a hydrogel capable of breaking down and then reforming in the stomach, in order to improve the effectiveness of drugs taken by mouth.
Cachet, injection, ointment: drugs can take different forms. When they are in the form of tablets, they are transported in the body and then disintegrate to release the active substances. “Most drugs are absorbed by the body in the intestines, but to get there they must pass through the stomach, a very acidic and harsh environment, which can interfere with the active molecules of the treatment”, explains Kelly Schultz, associate professor of chemistry and biomedical engineering at Lehigh University (United States). With her team, she worked on a gel capable of breaking down and then reforming on its own in the digestive tract to protect the molecules. Their findings appeared in the scientific publication SoftMatter.
Microrheological characterization of covalent adaptable hydrogel degradation in response to temporal pH changes that mimic the gastrointestinal tract, Nan Wu et al., @lehighche, @lehighengineers, @LehighU, https://t.co/hbUi4wSAkz pic.twitter.com/DX8YoqxSgC
— Soft Matter (@softmatter) July 16, 2020
A replica of the intestines
Hydrogel is a material used in several scientific fields. Researchers have already used it to treat wounds, but also to replace cartilage in order to treat osteoarthritis. Trials of male contraception have also involved this substance.
This new study was carried out using modelling: an environment similar, in terms of pH, to the intestine was created, to test the behavior of the material under conditions close to those of digestion. For days, the researchers analyzed the behavior of the particles in the hydrogel. The material developed releases the molecules in the digestive tract, then reconstitutes itself around them afterwards. This protects them and guarantees their action.
Surprising results
For Kelly Schultz, her ability to reform is “surprising”. “Normally, gels will not degrade and then reform without any stimuli”, specifies the scientist. With her team, she will continue her research to better understand how molecules are released in the body, and attempt other experiments with different compounds. “We are trying to find new ways to replicate what happens in the intestine of an animal or a human in order to collect important information for further studies.”she points out.
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