Advanced bile acid-based multi-compartmental microencapsulated pancreatic β-cells integrating a polyelectrolyte-bile acid formulation, for diabetes treatment

Abstract

This study utilized the Seahorse Analyzer to examine the effect of the bile acid ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), on the morphology, swelling, stability, and size of novel microencapsulated β-cells, in real-time. UDCA was conjugated with fluorescent compounds, and its partitioning within the microcapsules was examined using confocal microscopy. UDCA produced microcapsules with good morphology, better mechanical strength (p < 0.01), and reduced swelling properties (p < 0.01), but lower cell viability (p < 0.05) and cell count per microcapsule (p < 0.01). UDCA reduced the cells’ biochemical activities, mitochondrial respiration, and energy production, post-microencapsulation. This is the first time biological functions of microencapsulated β-cells have been analyzed in real-time.

Keywords::

• bile acid
• microencapsulation
• pancreatic beta cells
• Seahorse analyzer

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the CHIRI at Curtin University, and the Curtin-seeding grant for the support, and also acknowledge the use of equipment, scientific and technical assistance of the Curtin University Electron Microscope Facility, which has been partially funded by the University, State, and Commonwealth Governments. The authors also acknowledge the Pharmaceutical Technology Laboratory for their valuable assistance (Curtin School of Pharmacy).

Declaration of interest

The authors report no declarations of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.