A novel guluronate oligomer improves intestinal transit and survival in cystic fibrosis mice

J Cyst Fibros. 2016 Nov;15(6):745-751. doi: 10.1016/j.jcf.2016.06.005. Epub 2016 Jun 21.

Abstract

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients experience intestinal complications characterized by the accumulation of thick viscous mucus. CF mice were utilized to determine if a novel guluronate oligomer, OligoG, may be a potential therapy in reducing intestinal mucus and subsequent CF-related intestinal manifestations.

Methods: Intestinal transit, intestinal histology, survival and growth were examined in wildtype and CF mice on regular water and OligoG.

Conclusions: OligoG improves intestinal transit and survival in CF mice by reducing the accumulation of intestinal mucus. OligoG's ability to directly bind mucin, disrupt mucin interaction and/or sequester calcium allowing for mucin expansion may explain the decrease in mucus accumulation.

Keywords: Cystic fibrosis; Genetically modified mouse; Intestinal transit; Mucus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alginates / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / metabolism
  • Cystic Fibrosis* / drug therapy
  • Cystic Fibrosis* / metabolism
  • Gastrointestinal Transit / drug effects*
  • Intestinal Secretions / metabolism
  • Intestine, Small* / metabolism
  • Intestine, Small* / physiopathology
  • Mice
  • Mucus / metabolism
  • Oligosaccharides / pharmacology*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Alginates
  • Oligosaccharides
  • Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator