An in vivo pharmacological study: Variation in tissue-accumulation for the drug probucol as the result of targeted microtechnology and matrix-acrylic acid optimization and stabilization techniques

Low-dose nano-gel incorporated with bile acids enhanced pharmacology of surgical implants

Aim: Major challenges to islet transplantation in Type 1 diabetes include host-inflammation, which results in failure to maintain survival and functions of transplanted islets. Therefore, this study investigated the applications of encapsulating the bile acid ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) with transplanted islets within improved nano-gel systems for Type 1 diabetes treatment. Materials & methods: Islets were harvested from healthy mice, encapsulated using UDCA-nano gel and transplanted into the diabetic mice, while the control group was transplanted encapsulated islets without UDCA. The two groups' survival plot, blood glucose, and inflammation and bile acid profiles were analyzed. Results & conclusion: UDCA-nano gel enhanced survival, glycemia and normalized bile acids' profile, which suggests improved islets functions and potential adjunct treatment for insulin therapy.

Reduced Cytokine Tumour Necrosis Factor by Pharmacological Intervention in a Preclinical Study

Recent preclinical studies in our laboratory have shown that the bile acid profile is altered during diabetes development and such alteration has been linked to the diabetes-associated inflammatory profile. Hence, this study aimed to investigate if the first-line antidiabetic drug metformin will alter the bile acid profile and diabetes-associated inflammation in a murine model of pre-type 2 diabetes. C57 mice were randomly allocated into three equal groups of eight. Group One was given a low-fat diet (LFD), Group Two was given a high-fat diet (HFD), and Group Three was given an HFD and, upon prediabetes confirmation, daily oral metformin for one month. Blood glucose, glycated haemoglobin, drug concentrations in tissues and faeces, and the inflammatory and bile acid profiles were measured. Metformin showed wide tissue distribution and was also present in faeces. The bile acid profile showed significant alteration due to prediabetes, and although metformin did not completely normalize it, it did exert significant effects on both the bile acid and the inflammatory profiles, suggesting a direct and, to some extent, positive impact, particularly on the diabetes-associated inflammatory profile.

Taurine Grafted Micro-Implants Improved Functions without Direct Dependency between Interleukin-6 and the Bile Acid Lithocholic Acid in Plasma

A recent study showed an association between diabetes development and the bile acid lithocholic acid (LCA), while another study demonstrated positive biological effects of the conjugated bile acid, taurocholic acid (TCA), on pancreatic cells. Thus, this study aimed to encapsulate TCA with primary islets (graft) and study the biological effects of the graft, post-transplantation, in diabetic mice, including effects on LCA concentrations. Sixteen mature adult mice were made diabetic and randomly divided into two equal groups, control and test (transplanted encapsulated islets without or with TCA). Graft pharmaceutical features pre-transplantation, and biological effects including on LCA concentrations post-transplantation, were measured. TCA-microcapsules had an oval shape and similar size compared with the control. The treatment group survived longer, showed improved glucose and interleukin-6 concentrations, and lower LCA concentrations in plasma, large intestine, faeces, liver and spleen, compared with control. Results suggest that TCA incorporation with islets encapsulated graft exerted beneficial effects, but there was no direct and significant dependency between concentrations of interleukin-6 and LCA.

Single-Cellular Biological Effects of Cholesterol-Catabolic Bile Acid-Based Nano/Micro Capsules as Anti-Inflammatory Cell Protective Systems

Recent studies in our laboratories have shown promising effects of bile acids in ➀ drug encapsulation for oral targeted delivery (via capsule stabilization) particularly when encapsulated with Eudragit NM30D^® and ➁ viable-cell encapsulation and delivery (via supporting cell viability and biological activities, postencapsulation). Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate applications of bile acid-Eudragit NM30D^® capsules in viable-cell encapsulation ready for delivery. Mouse-cloned pancreatic β-cell line was cultured and cells encapsulated using bile acid-Eudragit NM30D^® capsules, and capsules' images, viability, inflammation, and bioenergetics of encapsulated cells assessed. The capsules' thermal and chemical stability assays were also assessed to ascertain an association between capsules' stability and cellular biological activities. Bile acid-Eudragit NM30D^® capsules showed improved cell viability (e.g., F1 < F2 & F8; p < 0.05), insulin, inflammatory profile, and bioenergetics as well as thermal and chemical stability, compared with control. These effects were formulation-dependent and suggest, overall, that changes in ratios of bile acids to Eudragit NM30D^® can change the microenvironment of the capsules and subsequent cellular biological activities.

Chemotherapy-induced hearing loss: the applications of bio-nanotechnologies and bile acid-based delivery matrices

Advancement in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced hearing loss has proposed new nano-based delivery matrices that can target inner ear regions most damaged by chemotherapy. Chemotherapy agents (e.g., cisplatin) induce increased reactive oxygen species formation in the inner ear that damage sensory hair cells and result in irreversible hearing impairment. Exogenous antioxidants (e.g., Probucol and metformin) have been shown to block the formation of these reactive oxygen species. Delivery of these drugs in effective concentrations remains a challenge. Microencapsulation in combination with drug excipients provides one technique to effectively deliver these drugs. This paper investigates the use of probucol and metformin in combination with drug excipients for novel, inner ear, delivery.

Polyelectrolytes Formulated with Primary Unconjugated Bile Acid Optimised Pharmacology of Bio-Engineered Implant

Introduction. Several studies have shown that different biomaterials and hydrogels comprising various bile acids such as chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), as well as excipients such as poly-(styrene)-sulphonate (PSS) and poly-(allyl)-amine (PAA), exhibited positive biological effects on encapsulated viable pancreatic β-cells. Hence, this study aimed to investigate whether incorporating CDCA with PSS and PAA will optimise the functions of encapsulated pancreatic islets post-transplantation in Type 1 diabetes (T1D). Methods. Mice were made T1D, divided into two equal groups, and transplanted with encapsulated islets in PSS-PAA (control) or with CDCA-PSS-PAA (treatment) microcapsules. The effects of transplanted microcapsules on blood glucose, inflammation and the bile acid profile were measured post-transplantation. Results and Conclusion. Compared with control, the treatment group showed better survival rate, improved glycaemic control, and lower inflammatory profile, illustrated by ↓ interleukin 1-β, interleukin-6, interleukin-12, and tumour-necrosis factor-α, and ↓ levels of the bile acid, as well as lithocholic acid in the plasma, liver, large intestine and faeces. The results suggest that CDCA incorporation with PSS-PAA microcapsules exerted beneficial effects on encapsulated islets and resulted in enhanced diabetes treatment, post-transplantation, at the local and systemic levels.

The Effects of Accelerated Temperature-Controlled Stability Systems on the Release Profile of Primary Bile Acid-Based Delivery Microcapsules

Introduction: Bile acid-based drug encapsulation for oral delivery has been recently explored in our laboratory and has shown to be beneficial in terms of drug-targeted delivery and release profile, but stability at various temperatures has not previously been examined; hence, this is the aim of this study. Methods: Various types of bile acid-based microcapsules containing the drug metformin were produced and tested for accelerated temperature-controlled profiles, as well as morphology, elemental composition, drug content, resilience, floatability, wettability and release profiles at various pH values. Results: Accelerated temperature-controlled analysis showed negligible effects on morphology, size, or shape at very low temperatures (below 0 °C), while higher temperatures (above 25 °C) caused alterations. Drug contents, morphology and elemental composition remained similar, while wettability and the release profiles showed formulation-dependent effects. Discussion and Conclusion: Results suggest that bile acid-based microcapsules containing metformin are affected by temperature; hence, their shelf life is likely to be affected by storage temperature, all of which have a direct impact on drug release and stability profiles.

Chenodeoxycholic Acid Pharmacology in Biotechnology and Transplantable Pharmaceutical Applications for Tissue Delivery: An Acute Preclinical Study

INTRODUCTION

Primary bile acids (PBAs) are produced and released into human gut as a result of cholesterol catabolism in the liver. A predominant PBA is chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), which in a recent study in our laboratory, showed significant excipient-stabilizing effects on microcapsules carrying insulinoma β-cells, in vitro, resulting in improved cell functions and insulin release, in the hyperglycemic state. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the applications of CDCA in bio-encapsulation and transplantation of primary healthy viable islets, preclinically, in type 1 diabetes.

METHODS

Healthy islets were harvested from balb/c mice, encapsulated in CDCA microcapsules, and transplanted into the epididymal tissues of 6 syngeneic diabetic mice, post diabetes confirmation. Pre-transplantation, the microcapsules' morphology, size, CDCA-deep layer distribution, and physical features such as swelling ratio and mechanical strength were analyzed. Post-transplantation, animals' weight, bile acids', and proinflammatory biomarkers' concentrations were analyzed. The control group was diabetic mice that were transplanted encapsulated islets (without PBA).

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Islet encapsulation by PBA microcapsules did not compromise the microcapsules' morphology or features. Furthermore, the PBA-graft performed better in terms of glycemic control and resulted in modulation of the bile acid profile in the brain. This is suggestive that the improved glycemic control was mediated via brain-related effects. However, the improvement in graft insulin delivery and glycemic control was short-term.

Pharmacological and Biological Study of Microencapsulated Probucol-Secondary Bile Acid in a Diseased Mouse Model

Probucol (PB) is a highly lipophilic drug with potential protective effects on pancreatic β-cells from inflammation and oxidation. PB has poor bioavailability and solubility, and despite many attempts, significant improvement in antidiabetic effects or absorption has yet to be discovered. Recently, the role of bile acids has been established in significant drug formulation stabilisation effects and as cell-penetrating agents. Promising results in pharmaceutical formulation studies on drug stability and release patterns when lithocholic acid (LCA) is conjugated with PB and sodium alginate (SA) have been demonstrated. Thus, this study aimed to develop and characterise PB microcapsules incorporating LCA and examine the biological effects of the microcapsules in vitro and in vivo. PB/LCA microcapsules were prepared using an encapsulation method, ionic gelation vibrational jet flow technology. LCA incorporation in PB microcapsules showed positive effects on β-cells with improved insulin release, antioxidant activity, and PB intracellular uptake. Diabetic mice gavaged LCA-PB microcapsules showed a significant reduction in diabetes signs and symptoms, better survival rate, reduced blood glucose levels, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, with an increase PB level in blood and tissues suggesting a potential therapy for treating diabetes mellitus.

Enhanced Bilosomal Properties Resulted in Optimum Pharmacological Effects by Increased Acidification Pathways

INTRODUCTION

Recent studies in our laboratory have shown that some bile acids, such as chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), can exert cellular protective effects when encapsulated with viable β-cells via anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress mechanisms. However, to explore their full potential, formulating such bile acids (that are intrinsically lipophilic) can be challenging, particularly if larger doses are required for optimal pharmacological effects. One promising approach is the development of nano gels. Accordingly, this study aimed to examine biological effects of various concentrations of CDCA using various solubilising nano gel systems on encapsulated β-cells.

METHODS

Using our established cellular encapsulation system, the Ionic Gelation Vibrational Jet Flow technology, a wide range of CDCA β-cell capsules were produced and examined for morphological, biological, and inflammatory profiles.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Capsules' morphology and topographic characteristics remained similar, regardless of CDCA or nano gel concentrations. The best pharmacological, anti-inflammatory, and cellular respiration, metabolism, and energy production effects were observed at high CDCA and nano gel concentrations, suggesting dose-dependent cellular protective and positive effects of CDCA when incorporated with high loading nano gel.

A Review on Recent Advancement on Age-Related Hearing Loss: The Applications of Nanotechnology, Drug Pharmacology, and Biotechnology

Aging is considered a contributing factor to many diseases such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and hearing loss. Age-related hearing loss, also termed presbycusis, is one of the most common sensory impairments worldwide, affecting one in five people over 50 years of age, and this prevalence is growing annually. Associations have emerged between presbycusis and detrimental health outcomes, including social isolation and mental health. It remains largely untreatable apart from hearing aids, and with no globally established prevention strategies in the clinical setting. Hence, this review aims to explore the pathophysiology of presbycusis and potential therapies, based on a recent advancement in bile acid-based bio-nanotechnologies. A comprehensive online search was carried out using the following keywords: presbycusis, drugs, hearing loss, bile acids, nanotechnology, and more than 150 publications were considered directly relevant. Evidence of the multifaceted oxidative stress and chronic inflammation involvement in cellular damage and apoptosis that is associated with a loss of hair cells, damaged and inflamed stria vascularis, and neuronal signalling loss and apoptosis continues to emerge. New robust and effective therapies require drug delivery deeper into the various layers of the cochlea. Bile acid-based nanotechnology has gained wide interest in its permeation-enhancing ability and potential for numerous applications in treating presbycusis.

Cutting-edge biotechnological advancement in islet delivery using pancreatic and cellular approaches

There are approximately 1 billion prediabetic people worldwide, and the global cost for diabetes mellitus (DM) is estimated to be $825 billion. In regard to Type 1 DM, transplanting a whole pancreas or its islets has gained the attention of researchers in the last few decades. Recent studies showed that islet transplantation (ILT) containing insulin-producing β cells is the most notable advancement cure for Type 1 DM. However, this procedure has been hindered by shortage and lack of sufficient islet donors and the need for long-term immunosuppression of any potential graft rejection. The strategy of encapsulation may avoid the rejection of stem-cell-derived allogeneic islets or xenogeneic islets. This review article describes various biotechnology features in encapsulation-of-islet-cell therapy for humans, including the use of bile acids.