Probucol Pharmacological and Bio-Nanotechnological Effects on Surgically Transplanted Graft Due to Powerful Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Fibrotic and Potential Bile Acid Modulatory Actions

Novel Nanoencapsulation Technology and its Potential Role in Bile Acid-Based Targeted Gene Delivery to the Inner Ear

Hearing loss impacts a large proportion of the global population. Damage to the inner ear, in particular the sensitive hair cells, can impact individuals for the rest of their lives. There are very limited options for interventions after damage to these cells has occurred. Targeted gene delivery may provide an effective means to trigger appropriate differentiation of progenitor cells for effective replacement of these sensitive hair cells. There are several hurdles that need to be overcome to effectively deliver these genes. Nanoencapsulation technology has previously been used for the delivery of pharmaceuticals, proteins and nucleic acids, and may provide an effective means of delivering genes to trigger appropriate differentiation. This review investigates the background of hearing loss, current advancements and pitfalls of gene delivery, and how nanoencapsulation may be useful.

Novel hydrogel comprising non-ionic copolymer with various concentrations of pharmacologically active bile acids for cellular injectable gel

Deoxycholic acid (DCA) is a bile acid capable of forming micelles and modifying the properties of hydrogels. We incorporated DCA in sodium alginate (SA) and poloxamer 407 matrices creating novel DCA-copolymer hydrogel for therapeutic delivery. Hydrogels were assessed for common rheological properties. Biocompatibility and biological effect were examined on various cell lines. Cell viability was determent in normal and various hypoxic conditions, and full mitochondrial bioenergetic parameters were assessed in cell lines in order to illustrate hydrogel effects on survival, and cell metabolic profile within the hydrogels. Obtained data suggest that a low dose of DCA in permeable, biocompatible hydrogels can be beneficial for cells to combat hypoxic conditions.

Artificial Cell Encapsulation for Biomaterials and Tissue Bio-Nanoengineering: History, Achievements, Limitations, and Future Work for Potential Clinical Applications and Transplantation

Pancreatic β-cell loss and failure with subsequent deficiency of insulin production is the hallmark of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and late-stage type 2 diabetes (T2D). Despite the availability of parental insulin, serious complications of both types are profound and endemic. One approach to therapy and a potential cure is the immunoisolation of β cells via artificial cell microencapsulation (ACM), with ongoing promising results in human and animal studies that do not depend on immunosuppressive regimens. However, significant challenges remain in the formulation and delivery platforms and potential immunogenicity issues. Additionally, the level of impact on key metabolic and disease biomarkers and long-term benefits from human and animal studies stemming from the encapsulation and delivery of these cells is a subject of continuing debate. The purpose of this review is to summarise key advances in this field of islet transplantation using ACM and to explore future strategies, limitations, and hurdles as well as upcoming developments utilising bioengineering and current clinical trials.

Pharmaceutical formulation and polymer chemistry for cell encapsulation applied to the creation of a lab-on-a-chip bio-microsystem

Microencapsulation of formulation designs further expands the field and offers the potential for use in developing bioartificial organs via cell encapsulation. Combining formulation design and encapsulation requires ideal excipients to be determined. In terms of cell encapsulation, an environment which allows growth and functionality is paramount to ensuring cell survival and incorporation into a bioartificial organ. Hence, excipients are examined for both individual properties and benefits, and compatibility with encapsulated active materials. Polymers are commonly used in microencapsulation, offering protection from the immune system. Bile acids are emerging as a tool to enhance delivery, both biologically and pharmaceutically. Therefore, this review will focus on bile acids and polymers in formulation design via microencapsulation, in the field of bioartificial organ development.

The Effects of Primary Unconjugated Bile Acids on Nanoencapsulated Pharmaceutical Formulation of Hydrophilic Drugs: Pharmacological Implications

Introduction

In a recent study, in our laboratory, primary unconjugated bile acids, commonly found in humans, chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), have been shown to improve stability of nanoencapsulated lipophilic drugs and improve their release profile after oral administration likely via electrokinetic stabilisation. Hence, this study aimed to examine the effects of CDCA on exerting similar effects on hydrophilic drugs.

Methods

Various CDCA-based formulations were produced for the orally administered hydrophilic drug, metformin. Analyses of these formulations included electrokinetic potentials, topography, drug and CDCA formulation contents, nano size distribution, heat-induced deformation and outer-core expansion indices, release profiles, shell-resistance ratio, and thermal and chemical indices. With the drug’s main target being pancreatic beta-cells, the formulations’ effects on cell viability, functions and inflammatory profiles were also investigated.

Results and Conclusions

CDCA-based metformin formulations exhibited improved stability and release profiles via thermal, chemical and electrokinetic effects, which were formulation-dependent suggesting potential applications of CDCA in the oral targeted delivery of hydrophilic drugs.

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.