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New preclinical data presented today at the World of Microbiome Conference suggest adding superabsorbent hydrogel to a high-fat “western-like” diet prevents unfavorable changes in the communities of gut bacteria associated with diet-induced weight gain
PureTech Health plc (NASDAQ:PRTCLSE: PRTC)) (“PureTech” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biotherapeutics company announced that its Founded Entity, Gelesis Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:GLS) (“Gelesis), released today a poster prPesentation at the World of Microbiome annual meeting in Vienna. The preclinical study showed administration of one of Gelesis’ proprietary superabsorbent hydrogels, Gel-B, significantly shifted the composition of the microbiome to a profile correlated with better metabolic health, including improved weight and glucose control. Adding Gel-B to a high-fat diet exponentially encouraged the growth of Akkermansia muciniphilaa bacteria associated with thickened mucosal lining of the gut, improved gut barrier function, and lean body mass. Furthermore, benchtop studies indicated that the 3-D structure and unique properties of Gel-B are required to support the increased growth of Akkermansia. These data suggest that superabsorbent hydrogels may offer additional therapeutic mechanisms promoting metabolic health beyond their space occupying properties.
Gelesis’ superabsorbent hydrogels are inspired by the composition and mechanical properties (elasticity or firmness) of ingested raw vegetables. They are taken by capsules with water before a meal to create a much larger volume of small, non-aggregating hydrogel pieces that act locally in the digestive system without adding any additional calories.
The full text of the announcement from Gelesis is as follows:
Gelesis’ Proprietary Superabsorbent Hydrogel Induced Beneficial Changes to the Gut Microbiota and Expanded Akkermansiaa Bacterial Species Associated with Gut Health and Weight Loss, in New Study
New pre-clinical data presented today at the World of Microbiome Conference suggest adding superabsorbent hydrogel to a high-fat “western-like” diet prevents unfavorable changes in the communities of gut bacteria associated with diet-induced weight gain
BOSTON, April 29, 2022 – Gelesis (NYSE:GLS), a consumer-focused biotherapeutics company and the maker of Plenity®, released today a poster presentation at the World of Microbiome annual meeting in Vienna. The pre-clinical study showed administration of one of the company’s proprietary superabsorbent hydrogels, Gel-B, significantly shifted the composition of the microbiome to a profile correlated with better metabolic health, including improved weight and glucose control. Adding Gel-B to a high-fat diet exponentially encouraged the growth of Akkermansia muciniphilaa bacteria associated with thickened mucosal lining of the gut, improved gut barrier function, and lean body mass. Furthermore, benchtop studies indicated that the 3-D structure and unique properties of Gel-B are required to support the increased growth of Akkermansia. These data suggest that superabsorbent hydrogels may offer additional therapeutic mechanisms promoting metabolic health beyond their space occupying properties.
“Obesity is a complex disease and recent research has shown that alterations of the gut microbiome may be one cause. It follows that interventions used to modify the microbiome could be important tools for the treatment of obesity,” said Neil Floch, MD, a bariatric surgeon and expert on obesity treatment at Nuvance Health in Norwalk, CT. “I look forward to seeing more clinical studies on this new class of materials and their potential mechanical benefits on gut health and the microbiome.”
Gelesis’ superabsorbent hydrogels are inspired by the composition and mechanical properties (elasticity or firmness) of ingested raw vegetables. They are taken by capsules with water before a meal to create a much larger volume of small, non-aggregating hydrogel pieces that act locally in the digestive system without adding any additional calories.
This new study aimed to define the gut microbiota associated with observed metabolic improvement and uncover how Gel-B may be driving compositional changes to these microbiota communities. After being fed a high fat diet (45% lard) for 12 weeks, the studied groups of mice were treated with a combination high fat diet and Gel-B, or a control of high fat diet alone for an additional 12 weeks. Fecal samples were collected at study weeks 12, 16, and 24. Results showed that mice fed Gel-B treatment in addition to a high fat diet had gut microbiota changes, including:
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Restoration of the Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio, which is often out of balance in patients with …
Full story available on Benzinga.com
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