1. Biomimetic cellulose-based superabsorbent hydrogels for treating obesity.
- Author
-
Madaghiele M, Demitri C, Surano I, Silvestri A, Vitale M, Panteca E, Zohar Y, Rescigno M, and Sannino A
- Subjects
- Adsorption, Animals, Biomimetic Materials chemistry, Biomimetic Materials pharmacology, Biomimetics, Cellulose analogs & derivatives, Elasticity, Humans, Hydrogels chemistry, Male, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Vegetables chemistry, Mice, Cellulose pharmacology, Hydrogels pharmacology, Obesity therapy
- Abstract
In the treatment of obesity, nutritional and behavioral modifications are difficult to implement and maintain. Since vegetable consumption is a fundamental part of many dietary interventions and daily nutrient requirements, we developed a novel cellulose-based superabsorbent hydrogel (CB-SAH) platform, inspired by the composition and mechanical properties of raw vegetables, as a mechanobiological therapy. The CB-SAHs properties were studied in a simulated gastrointestinal environment, while their impact on gut tissue was investigated by an ex vivo organ culture (EVOC) model. Functional fibers and raw vegetables were used as reference. CB-SAHs demonstrated orders of magnitude higher elasticity in comparison to the tested functional fibers, however performed similar to the tested raw vegetables. Notably, the biomimetic CB-SAHs with elasticity levels similar to raw vegetables showed benefits in preserving and regulating the gut tissue in the EVOC model. Non-systemic oral mechanotherapeutics based on this technology were advanced through clinical studies, with a first product cleared as an aid for weight management in the US and Europe., (© 2021. The Author(s).)
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF