Enhanced Intestinal Absorption of Proteins via a Natural Metabolite-Based Deep Eutectic System
A natural metabolite-based deep eutectic system composed of betaine and lactic acid (BL-DES) was developed as a food-grade strategy to enhance intestinal absorption of proteins. Insulin was selected as a model protein for convenient and reliable assessment of intestinal absorption. BL-DES reduced the viscosity of simulated intestinal mucus and increased insulin permeability through the mucus layer. Jejunal administration of insulin@BL-DES showed a significant hypoglycemic effect. Hematological, cellular, and histological evaluations confirmed the favorable biocompatibility of BL-DES. Mechanistic investigations revealed that BL-DES promotes paracellular transport through reversible opening of tight junctions.
Authors
- Francesco Secundo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7052-9634)
- Wen‐Can Huang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2111-7238)
- Simiao Di
- Yongqiang Lian
- Xiangzhao Mao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6315-1338)
- Jie Luo
Institutions
- China Light Industry Press (China) (CN)
- Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (CN)
- Aquatic Systems (United States) (US)
- Istituto per le Tecnologie Didattiche (IT)
- Marine Biomedical Research Institute of Qingdao (CN)
- Green Chemistry (PL)
- Ocean University of China (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
- Published
- 2026-04-21
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.5c13281
- Primary Topic
- Advanced Drug Delivery Systems
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Key Technology Research and Development Program of Shandong