Schmidt AC, Hebels ER, Weitzel C, Kletzmayr A, Bao Y, Steuer C, Leroux J. Engineered Polymersomes for the Treatment of Fish Odor Syndrome: A First Randomized Double Blind Olfactory Study.
ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2020;
7:1903697. [PMID:
32328434 PMCID:
PMC7175261 DOI:
10.1002/advs.201903697]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Trimethylamine (TMA) is a metabolite overtly present in patients suffering from trimethylaminuria (TMAU), a rare genetic disorder characterized by a strong "fishy" body odor. To date, no approved pharmacological treatment to sequester excess TMA on the skin of patients exists. Here, transmembrane pH gradient poly(isoprene)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (PI-b-PEG) polymersomes are investigated for the topical removal of TMA. PI-b-PEG amphiphiles of varying chain length are synthesized and evaluated for their ability to form vesicular structures in aqueous media. The optimization of the PI/PEG ratio of transmembrane pH gradient polymersomes allows for the rapid and efficient capture of TMA both in solution and after incorporation into a topical hydrogel matrix at the pH of the skin. A subsequent double blind olfactory study reveals a significant decrease in perceived odor intensity after application of the polymersome-based formulation on artificial skin substrates that has been incubated in TMA-containing medium. This simple and novel approach has the potential to ease the burden of people suffering from TMAU.
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