Advanced Fiber Materials, Volume. 7, Issue 1, 00475(2025)

Intestine-Settled Electrospun Short-Fibers Modulate Epithelial Transport Proteins to Reduce Purine and Glucose Uptake

Yunkai Tang1, Juan Wang1, Zhengwei Cai1, Bruno Sarmento2,3, Yawei Du1、*, and Wenguo Cui1、**
Author Affiliations
  • 1Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai 200025, People’s Republic of China
  • 2I3-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação Em Saúde and INEB-Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade Do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
  • 3IUCS-Instituto Universitário de Ciências da Saúde, CESPU, Rua Central de Gandra 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
  • show less

    Excessive uptake of purine and glucose can lead to hyperglycemia and hyperuricemia, mediated by specific intestinal transport proteins. Currently, there is a deficiency in targeted regulation of these proteins. In this study, we introduce an oral approach for targeted modulation using electrospun core–shell short-fibers that settle on the intestinal mucosa. These fibers, designed for the controlled in situ release of phlorizin—a multi-transporter inhibitor—are crafted through a refined electrospinning-homogenizing process using polylactic acid and gelatin. Phlorizin is conjugated via a phenyl borate ester bond. Furthermore, a calcium alginate shell ensures intestinal disintegration triggered by pH changes. These fibers adhere to the mucosa due to their unique structure, and phlorizin is released in situ post-ingestion through glucose-sensitive cleavage of the phenyl borate ester bond, enabling dual-target inhibition of intestinal transporter proteins. Both in vitro and in vivo studies confirm that the short-fibers possess intestine-settling and glucose-responsive properties, facilitating precise control over transport proteins. Using models of hyperuricemia and diabetes in mice, treatment with short-fibers results in reductions of 49.6% in blood uric acid and 17.8% in glucose levels, respectively. Additionally, 16S rRNA sequencing indicates an improved intestinal flora composition. In conclusion, we have developed an innovative oral strategy for the prevention of hyperglycemia and hyperuricemia.

    Tools

    Get Citation

    Copy Citation Text

    Yunkai Tang, Juan Wang, Zhengwei Cai, Bruno Sarmento, Yawei Du, Wenguo Cui. Intestine-Settled Electrospun Short-Fibers Modulate Epithelial Transport Proteins to Reduce Purine and Glucose Uptake[J]. Advanced Fiber Materials, 2025, 7(1): 00475

    Download Citation

    EndNote(RIS)BibTexPlain Text
    Save article for my favorites
    Paper Information

    Category: Research Articles

    Received: May. 23, 2024

    Accepted: Jul. 28, 2024

    Published Online: Mar. 14, 2025

    The Author Email: Du Yawei (ywdu@hotmail.com), Cui Wenguo (wgcui80@hotmail.com)

    DOI:10.1007/s42765-024-00475-9

    Topics