Clinical use of liposome technology for the delivery of nutrients to patients with the short bowel syndrome

Abstract

Short bowel syndrome may result from extensive resection of the small bowel. Because the transport of bile salts, cobalamin (vitamin B12), and cholesterol is localized to the ileum, resection of this region is poorly tolerated. Patients who have had their ileum resected cannot absorb cholesterol, long chain fatty acids, fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K), cobalamin (vitamin B12), and the metal ions (Ca2+, Mg2+, and Zn2+). Liposomes are suitable biological vehicles for the non-parenteral delivery of these fat and water soluble nutrients directly into the blood of patients with the small bowel syndrome. Liposomes are compartmentalized vesicles consisting of bilayer lipids enclosing aqueous chambers. The lipid and water soluble nutrients can be commercially packaged in their respective compartments and delivered directly into the blood stream of these patients, thereby bypassing the intestines. The liposomes can pass through water barriers. Their solubility in lipid rich surface membranes permits the release of the enclosed nutrients and their diffusion into the interior of cells.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.