Biomimetic intestinal barrier based on microfluidic encapsulated sucralfate microcapsules.

Intestinal barriers play an important role in preventing intestinally derived diseases, and maintaining their function is a promising approach to prevent and treat those diseases. Here, inspired by the protection effect of intestinal barriers in live organisms and the mucosa adhesive property of sucralfate, we present a biomimetic intestinal barrier based on microfluidic encapsulated sucralfate microcapsules. Benefiting from the flexible selectivity and precise control of microfluidic electrospray flows, the generated microcapsules were imparted with stomach-tolerant dietary-fibre shells and controllable released sucralfate cores, both of which could contribute to forming a continuous biomimetic intestinal barrier on the intestine. Through in vitro adhesive study, in vivo computed tomography (CT) imaging and in vivo imaging system (IVIS) methods, we have demonstrated that the microcapsule-derived biomimetic intestinal barrier can effectively block food fermentation in the gut, reduce generation of fat, decrease disease risk indexes, and prevent obesity. These features make the microfluidic encapsulated sucralfate microcapsules and their resultant biomimetic intestinal barrier an approach for treating obesity and other intestinal diseases.