In Vitro and in Vivo characterization of alginate-chitosan-alginate artificial microcapsules for therapeutic oral delivery of live bacterial cells

Oral administration of artificial cell microcapsules entrapping live bacterial cells is a promising approach in disease therapy. However, the current technology of microcapsules limits this approach. In this study, alginate-chitosan-alginate (ACA) microcapsules entrapping live bacterial cells were prepared with the purpose of oral delivery for therapy, and their in vitro and in vivo properties were investigated. Genetically engineered Escherichia coli DH5 were used as the model bacterial strain. ACA microcapsules remained intact and stable in simulated gastrointestinal fluid and the entrapped bacteria cells survived and grew normally. Moreover, ACA microcapsules were more stable than alginate-polylysine-alginate microcapsules in the rat gastrointestinal tract, which was attributed to the enhanced resistance of the ACA microcapsules to enzymatic digestion. Therefore, these results reinforce the potential of ACA microcapsules for the therapeutic oral delivery of live bacterial cells.