Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ana L. Martinez-Lopez, Carlos J. Gonzalez-Navarro, Paula Aranaz, Jose L. Vizmanos, Juan M. Irache
Summary: This study demonstrated that PPA-NPs have enhanced mucus permeation ability, allowing them to cross the intestinal barrier and release insulin, resulting in significant therapeutic effects on Caenorhabditis elegans under high glucose conditions.
ACTA PHARMACEUTICA SINICA B
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
C. Reboredo, C. J. Gonzalez-Navarro, C. Martinez-Oharriz, A. L. Martinez-Lopez, J. M. Irache
Summary: The study aimed to produce PEG-coated nanoparticles with mucus-permeating properties for oral drug delivery using simple procedures and regulatory-approved compounds. The nanoparticles were successfully coated with PEG 35,000, reducing their hydrophobic surface and increasing their hydrophilicity. This coating allowed the nanoparticles to have increased mobility in mucus, potentially enhancing the oral bioavailability of biomacromolecules and other biologically active compounds.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Priscila Zimath, Soraia Pinto, Sofia Dias, Alex Rafacho, Bruno Sarmento
Summary: This study loaded MF into zein NPs and evaluated the potential advantages of oral delivery and the application in treating intestinal inflammatory diseases.
DRUG DELIVERY AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Ana L. Martinez-Lopez, Carlos J. Gonzalez-Navarro, Jose L. Vizmanos, Juan M. Irache
Summary: The study evaluated the potential of nanocarriers for oral insulin delivery, specifically using zein nanoparticles coated with a Gantrez (R) AN-PEG conjugate. Results showed that ZNP-GP had higher diffusion coefficient in pig intestinal mucus compared to ZNP, and both types of nanoparticles displayed similar behavior under simulated intestinal conditions. Furthermore, nanoencapsulated insulin in ZNP-GP showed significantly greater effects on reducing glucose and fat accumulation in Caenorhabditis elegans N2 compared to ZNP or insulin in solution.
DRUG DELIVERY AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Alessandra T. Zizzari, Dimanthi Pliatsika, Flavio M. Gall, Thomas Fischer, Rainer Riedl
Summary: Peptides, due to their structural diversity, are considered a unique source of innovative active ingredients, but face challenges in development due to their disadvantageous pharmacokinetic properties. Recent efforts have focused on improving the oral bioavailability of peptide drugs, with the latest findings expected to influence future approaches in developing more efficient and safer orally delivered peptides by pharmaceutical companies.
DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Xiaohan Ge, Xueying Huang, Liping Zhou, Yi Wang
Summary: The study investigates the use of active food packaging with antimicrobial compounds to prolong shelf life and improve product quality. Mixing PLA, zein, and PEG to create a composite film enhances water barrier properties and reduces brittleness of the film.
FOOD PACKAGING AND SHELF LIFE
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Anjali K. Pandya, Vandana B. Patravale
Summary: Proteins and peptides are highly sought-after biomolecules due to their therapeutic potential, but oral delivery remains a challenge. Computer-aided drug design (CADD) plays a key role in studying molecular interactions and designing formulations.
DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Courtney van Ballegooie, Nicole Wretham, Tanya Ren, Ioana-Mihaela Popescu, Donald T. Yapp, Marcel B. Bally
Summary: The research discovered that Zein nanoparticles modified with pre-functionalized PEG can maintain stability and have good cellular uptake capability in physiologically relevant conditions. These Zein:PEG-Zein nanoparticles also exhibit a long circulation half-life and suitability for single-use administration.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jitkasem Meewan, Sukrut Somani, Jamal Almowalad, Partha Laskar, Margaret Mullin, Graeme MacKenzie, Swapnil Khadke, Yvonne Perrie, Christine Dufes
Summary: This study evaluated the production of zein nanoparticles using a microfluidic system and found that adjusting the PEG density and chain length improved the stability and drug uptake of the nanoparticles.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NANOMEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Hongbo Cheng, Shuang Guo, Zhixiang Cui, Xin Zhang, Yingnan Huo, Jian Guan, Shirui Mao
Summary: Combining mucus penetration and active transcellular transport by using folic acid decorated virus-mimicking nanoparticles can improve insulin absorption efficiency. The graft ratio of folic acid affects the properties of nanoparticles in vitro and in vivo, with better effect observed when the ratio is at/over 12.51%.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Cristian Reboredo, Carlos J. Gonzalez-Navarro, Ana L. Martinez-Lopez, Juan M. Irache
Summary: The study evaluated the impact of zein-based nanoparticles on glucose homeostasis in Wistar rats. The results showed that these nanoparticles could significantly decrease blood glucose levels and improve glucose tolerance. This effect may be attributed to the increased release of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) induced by the nanoparticles.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Huafen Wang, Huanhuan He, Jiaxiang Zhang, Juntao Liu, Yuwei Zhuang, Yuanyuan Yin, Zhiyong Ren, Yang Fu, Suqin He
Summary: Novel monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol) modified hydroxylated tung oil (mPEG-HTO-mPEG) was synthesized as a drug delivery system. The properties of mPEG-HTO-mPEG were affected by the length of the mPEG chain. The drug loading and release behaviors of mPEG-HTO-mPEG with prednisone acetate as a model drug were investigated, and the results showed effective loading and sustained release.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ekkachai Martwong, Yvette Tran
Summary: The study reports on the synthesis and temperature-responsive properties of poly(PEGMA) hydrogel thin films. Surface-attached poly(PEGMA) hydrogel films were synthesized using a simple, versatile, and well-controlled thiol-ene click reaction method, with the transition temperature finely tunable by adjusting the number of PEG units. The LCST properties of the hydrogel films are not sensitive to salt, holding promise for applications in biology such as injectable hydrogels, drug delivery systems, microfluidic valves, and flow switches for biotechnologies.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Aharon Azagury, Cameron Baptista, Kosta Milovanovic, Hyeseon Shin, Peter Morello, James Perez-Rogers, Victoria Goldenshtein, Travis Nguyen, Arianna Markel, Soham Rege, Stephanie Hojsak, Alexander Perl, Carder Jones, Megan Fife, Stacia Furtado, Edith Mathiowitz
Summary: Decades of research have not reached a consensus on the properties that produce effective oral drug delivery systems using nanoparticles. This study proposes a mechanism involving biocoating to explain the behavior of nanoparticles in vivo, which can alter their surface properties and affect their systemic uptake. Coating nanoparticles with mucus is found to increase their mucosal diffusion rate and promote high systemic uptake.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gan Lin, Christina Cortez-Jugo, Yi Ju, Quinn A. Besford, Timothy M. Ryan, Shuaijun Pan, Joseph J. Richardson, Frank Caruso
Summary: In this study, a strategy based on the noncovalent coordination between PEG-polyphenolic ligands and transition metal ions was used to synthesize sub-100 nm PEG NPs with tunable size and morphology. The self-assembly of PEG-gallol/metal NPs was driven by metal-phenolic coordination, resulting in a series of metal-stabilized PEG NPs with different sizes and morphologies. The formation of the PEG-gallol/Mn-II NPs was predominantly driven by ionic interactions, leading to high biocompatibility and functionality, suggesting their potential for biomedical applications.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Catarina Pacheco, Ana Baiao, Tao Ding, Wenguo Cui, Bruno Sarmento
Summary: The systemic use of chemotherapy for cancer treatment is limited by its toxicity. Drug delivery systems (DDSs) have been designed to avoid systemic toxicity by protecting drugs and controlling drug release. However, the approval of tailored DDSs for clinical use is minimal due to the need for improvement in safety and in vivo activity.
ADVANCED DRUG DELIVERY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Paulo Faria, Catarina Pacheco, Rui Pedro Moura, Bruno Sarmento, Claudia Martins
Summary: Brain diseases pose a significant social and economic burden, and their complexity makes single-drug therapies insufficient. Nanomedicine, with its ability to target the brain and deliver multiple cargos, shows promise in overcoming therapeutic resistance. This review explores the mechanisms of therapeutic resistance in brain diseases, the use of multifunctional nanomedicines to tackle multiple aspects of the disease microenvironment, and the promising therapeutic responses achieved by cutting-edge multifunctional nanomedicines.
DRUG DELIVERY AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Suzana Carvalho, Maria Jose Silveira, Mariana Domingues, Barbara Ferreira, Catarina Leite Pereira, Maria Palmira Gremiao, Bruno Sarmento
Summary: This study proposes a multicellular spheroid model of colorectal cancer (CRC) for screening the antiangiogenic potential of novel nanomedicines. The developed model consists of HCT116 cells, human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cell (HPMEC), fibroblasts, and macrophages. It exhibits intrinsic CRC features and shows that Gellan gum/chitosan nanoparticles encapsulating BVZ have superior antiangiogenic properties compared to free BVZ.
ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Amir Soleimany, Sepideh Khoee, Sofia Dias, Bruno Sarmento
Summary: In this study, a new nanohybrid consisting of thiolated chitosan-coated gold nanostars (AuNS-TCS) as the photothermal agent and riboflavin-conjugated N,S-doped graphene quantum dot (Rf-N,S-GQD) as the two-photon photosensitizer (TP-PS) was developed. The nanohybrid exhibited combined TP-PDT/PTT when a low-power, single-pulsed laser irradiation was applied. The study demonstrates a successful single-laser-triggered, synergistic combined TP-PDT/PTT based on a plasmonic metal/QD hybrid, with potential for future investigation in clinical settings.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Diana Pinto, Andreia Almeida, Anallely Lopez-Yerena, Soraia Pinto, Bruno Sarmento, Rosa Lamuela-Raventos, Anna Vallverdu-Queralt, Cristina Delerue-Matos, Francisca Rodrigues
Summary: This study demonstrates the in-vivo antioxidant properties of chestnut shell extract, as well as its protective effects against hemolysis and elevated blood glucose and lipids levels. Additionally, the study provides new insights on the metabolomic profiling of polyphenols.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Rebeca Penalva, Ana Luisa Martinez-Lopez, Carlos Gamazo, Carlos J. Gonzalez-Navarro, Carolina Gonzalez-Ferrero, Raquel Virto-Resano, Ana Brotons-Canto, Ana Isabel Vitas, Maria Collantes, Ivan Penuelas, Juan M. Irache
Summary: This study demonstrates the use of casein-chitosan microparticles to encapsulate Lactobacillus plantarum and their potential in targeting the distal areas of the gut and stimulating the immune system. The microparticles showed high protection and stability, and could reach the distal ileum and colon in vivo. Daily administration of the microparticles also resulted in enhanced immune responses.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Maria Joao Bessa, Bruno Sarmento, Marta Oliveira, Francisca Rodrigues
Summary: Firefighters are exposed to health-relevant pollutants released during fires, and in vitro studies using human cell models have shown decreased viability, increased oxidative stress, elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines levels, and increased cell death frequencies. However, more research is needed to understand the toxicity mechanisms initiated by firefighting activities and establish occupational exposure limits for firefighters.
JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH-PART B-CRITICAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Claudia Martins, Marco Araujo, Alessio Malfanti, Catarina Pacheco, Stuart J. J. Smith, Bernard Ucakar, Ruman Rahman, Jonathan W. W. Aylott, Veronique Preat, Bruno Sarmento
Summary: Report the development of hypothesis-driven stimuli-responsive nanoparticles (NPs) for glioblastoma (GBM) therapy. These NPs have multifunctional features that overcome the insufficient blood-brain barrier (BBB) trafficking and lack of GBM targeting, two major challenges in anti-GBM treatments. In preclinical studies, the stimuli-responsive NPs effectively targeted GBM cells, enhanced cell uptake, increased cytotoxicity, improved BBB permeability, and demonstrated antitumor efficacy in GBM models.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Francisca Diniz, Sofia Lamas, Hugo Osorio, Paulo Aguiar, Daniela Freitas, Fatima Gartner, Bruno Sarmento, Celso A. Reis, Joana Gomes
Summary: This study demonstrates the potential of using nanoparticles targeting STn for delivering FRT as a therapeutic approach in gastric cancer. The nanoparticles effectively reduced tumor growth, cell proliferation, and tumor necrosis in vivo.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Claudia Martins, Catarina Pacheco, Paulo Faria, Bruno Sarmento
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Cristina Pangua, Socorro Espuelas, Maria Cristina Martinez-Oharriz, Jose Luis Vizmanos, Juan M. Irache
Summary: The study aimed to develop a carrier for oral delivery of therapeutic protein bevacizumab by using mucus-permeating nanoparticles and permeation enhancers. The encapsulation of bevacizumab in PEG-coated albumin nanoparticles with sodium deoxycholate or sodium docusate significantly increased its oral bioavailability. This strategy could potentially allow the therapeutic use of orally administered proteins, including monoclonal antibodies.
DRUG DELIVERY AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Melibea Berzosa, Alberto Delgado-Lopez, Juan Manuel Irache, Carlos Gamazo
Summary: This study focuses on Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), a major concern in low-income countries with no licensed vaccine available. Bacterial vesicle-based vaccines show promise due to their safety and diverse virulence factors. The proposed method involves heat treatment and ultrafiltration to recover vesicles from bacterial cultures, and preliminary findings suggest their suitability for an ETEC vaccine.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Qimanguli Saiding, Yiyao Chen, Juan Wang, Catarina Leite Pereira, Bruno Sarmento, Wenguo Cui, Xinliang Chen
Summary: Hernia reconstruction is a frequently performed surgical procedure that has been greatly improved by plastic surgery techniques. Surgical meshes are commonly used for abdominal wall hernia repair, but there are still challenges in mesh design and complications. This review provides a comprehensive summary of hernia surgical mesh development, including commercial meshes, prosthetic materials, and engineered prosthetics. The review also outlines future research directions for successful hernia repair solutions.
MATERIALS TODAY BIO
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Cecilia Cristelo, Rute Nunes, Soraia Pinto, Joana Moreira Marques, Francisco Miguel Gama, Bruno Sarmento
Summary: This study successfully loaded the LLKKK18 peptide onto PLGA nanoparticles and demonstrated the targeted delivery to beta cells, as well as the promotion of insulin release and increase in beta cell mass. This research provides insights for new therapeutic approaches in T1D treatment.
ACS PHARMACOLOGY & TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ana Margarida Carvalho, Ruchi Bansal, Cristina C. Barrias, Bruno Sarmento
Summary: Biomaterials are crucial for creating in vitro models of human liver fibrosis, as they allow for a more accurate replication of cell-matrix interactions. These models can provide insights into the development and treatment of liver disease.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)