Bacteria-Carried Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Treatment of Anemia

Bioconjug Chem. 2018 May 16;29(5):1785-1791. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.8b00245. Epub 2018 May 7.

Abstract

The efficiency of maghemite nanoparticles for the treatment of anemia was sensibly higher when nanoparticles were incorporated onto the probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus fermentum (MNP-bacteria) than when administrated as uncoated nanoparticles (MNP). Plasma iron and hemoglobin, intestine expression of divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) and duodenal Cytochrome b (DcytB), as well as hepatic expression of the hormone hepcidin were fully restored to healthy levels after administration of MNP-bacteria but not of MNP. A magnetic study on biodistribution and biodegradation showed accumulation of maghemite nanoparticles in intestine lumen when MNP-bacteria were administrated. In contrast, MNP barely reached intestine. In vivo MRI studies suggested the internalization of MNP-bacteria into enterocytes, which did not occur with MNP. Transmission electronic microscopy confirmed this internalization. The collective analysis of results point out that L. fermentum is an excellent carrier to overcome the stomach medium and drive maghemite nanoparticles to intestine, where iron absorption occurs. Due the probiotic ability to adhere to the gut wall, MNP-bacteria internalize into the enterocyte, where maghemite nanoparticles are delivered, providing an adequate iron level into enterocyte. This paper advances a new route for effective iron absorption in the treatment of anemia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anemia / blood
  • Anemia / metabolism
  • Anemia / therapy*
  • Animals
  • Enterocytes / metabolism
  • Ferric Compounds / administration & dosage
  • Ferric Compounds / pharmacokinetics
  • Ferric Compounds / therapeutic use*
  • HT29 Cells
  • Hemoglobins / analysis
  • Hepcidins / analysis
  • Humans
  • Iron / blood
  • Lactobacillus* / metabolism
  • Male
  • Nanoparticles / administration & dosage
  • Nanoparticles / analysis
  • Nanoparticles / therapeutic use*
  • Probiotics / administration & dosage
  • Probiotics / pharmacokinetics
  • Probiotics / therapeutic use*
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Ferric Compounds
  • Hemoglobins
  • Hepcidins
  • ferric oxide
  • Iron