Flowing through Gastrointestinal Barriers with Model Nanoparticles: From Complex Fluids to Model Human Intestinal Epithelium Permeation

Most nanomaterial-based medicines are intravenously appliedsinceoral administration comprises challenging-related biological obstacles,such as interactions with distinct digestive fluids and their transportthrough the intestinal barrier. Moreover, there is a lack of nanoparticle-basedstudies that faithfully consider the above-cited obstacles and boostoral-administered nanomedicines' rational design. In this study,the physicochemical stability of fluorescent model silica nanoparticles(f-SiO(2)NPs) passing through all simulated gastrointestinalfluids (salivary, gastric, and intestinal) and their absorption andtransport across a model human intestinal epithelium barrier are investigated.An aggregation/disaggregation f-SiO(2)NPs process is identified,although these particles remain chemically and physically stable afterexposure to digestive fluids. Further, fine imaging of f-SiO(2)NPs through the absorption and transport across the human intestinalepithelium indicates that nanoparticle transport is time-dependent.The above-presented protocol shows tremendous potential for decipheringfundamental gastrointestinal nanoparticles' evolution and cancontribute to rational oral administration-based nanomedicine design.

Automated summary

Most nanomaterial-based medicines are administered through intravenous injection due to challenges associated with oral administration, such as interactions with digestive fluids and transport through the intestinal barrier. This study investigates the physicochemical stability of fluorescent silica nanoparticles passing through simulated gastrointestinal fluids and their absorption and transport across a model human intestinal epithelium barrier. The findings reveal a time-dependent nanoparticle transport and demonstrate the potential for rational design of oral-administered nanomedicines.