New gel will speed up the delivery of drugs to the body - scientists
A new hydrogel material that can break down and spontaneously reform in the gastrointestinal tract could help researchers develop more effective oral drug delivery methods.
Scientists are studying covalent adaptable hydrogels (CAHs), which are designed to release molecules as they lose polymer in the stomach. And then they re-gel on their own, which protects the molecules and allows them to remain active for targeted delivery to the intestine.
Most drugs and nutrients are absorbed into the body in the intestines, but to get there they need to pass through the stomach - a very acidic harsh environment that can interfere with the active molecules in pharmaceuticals.
Scientists tackled the problem by studying covalent adaptable hydrogels (CAHs), which systematically release drug molecules into the intestines.
To characterize the material and give an idea of its pharmaceutical potential, the researchers repurposed a microfluidic device, originally developed in Schultz's lab, for tissue research and home care products to create a "gastrointestinal tract on a chip."
The experimental setup allows the exchange of a liquid medium around the gel to simulate the pH of all organs in the gastrointestinal tract, simulating how the material will react over time when ingested.
Scientists are studying covalent adaptable hydrogels (CAHs), which are designed to release molecules as they lose polymer in the stomach. And then they re-gel on their own, which protects the molecules and allows them to remain active for targeted delivery to the intestine.
Most drugs and nutrients are absorbed into the body in the intestines, but to get there they need to pass through the stomach - a very acidic harsh environment that can interfere with the active molecules in pharmaceuticals.
Scientists tackled the problem by studying covalent adaptable hydrogels (CAHs), which systematically release drug molecules into the intestines.
To characterize the material and give an idea of its pharmaceutical potential, the researchers repurposed a microfluidic device, originally developed in Schultz's lab, for tissue research and home care products to create a "gastrointestinal tract on a chip."
The experimental setup allows the exchange of a liquid medium around the gel to simulate the pH of all organs in the gastrointestinal tract, simulating how the material will react over time when ingested.
