title: Novel approaches for oral delivery of macromolecules.
abstract: Traditional forms of administrations of nonabsorbable drugs and peptides often rely on their parenteral injection, since the intestinal epithelium is poorly permeable to these therapeutical agents. A number of innovative drug delivery approaches have been recently developed, including the drug entrapment within small vesicles or their passage through the intestinal paracellular pathway. Zonula occludens toxin, a recently discovered protein elaborated by Vibrio cholerae, provided tools to gain more insights on the pathophysiology of the regulation of intestinal permeability through the paracellular pathway and to develop alternative approaches for the oral delivery of drugs and macromolecules normally not absorbed through the intestine.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition and Gastrointestinal Pathophysiology Section, Center for Vaccine Development, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA. afasano@umabnet.ab.umd.edu
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fasano
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D002772:Cholera Toxin; D004064:Digestive System / Q000378:metabolism*; D004337:Drug Carriers; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004731:Endotoxins; D006728:Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D011506:Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers; D004731:Endotoxins; D006728:Hormones; D011506:Proteins; C077728:zonula occludens toxin, Vibrio cholerae; D002772:Cholera Toxin