INEB RECENT PUBLICATIONS: The impact of nanoparticles on the mucosal translocation and transport of GLP-1 across the intestinal epithelium

INEB researchers recently published an article in the scientific journal Biomaterials, available since November 2014. The article is entitled "The impact of nanoparticles on the mucosal translocation and transport of GLP-1 across the intestinal epithelium" and is authored by Francisca Araújo, Neha Shrestha, Mohammad-Ali Shahbazi, Pedro Fonte, Ermei M. Mäkilä, Jarno J. Salonen, Jouni T. Hirvonen, Pedro L. Granja, Hélder A. Santos and Bruno Sarmento.

^{Francisca Araújo, the article's first author} 

Glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone that is in the pipeline for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) therapy. However, oral administration of GLP-1 is hindered by the harsh conditions of the gastrointestinal tract and poor bioavailability. In this study, three nanosystems composed by three different biomaterials (poly(lactide-co-glycolide) polymer (PLGA), Witepsol E85 lipid (solid lipid nanoparticles, SLN) and porous silicon (PSi) were developed and loaded with GLP-1.

These nanoparticles were then coated with chitosan, a natural polymer with mucoadhesive properties. These different nanosystems were compared with regards to their ability to sustain the release of GLP-1 through the harsh environment of the simulated GI tract conditions and the interactions between the developed nanosystems and the intestinal cell lines were also evaluated.