Preserving the activity of attenuating atherosclerosis of nattokinase in gastrointestinal system by NK/SA/CS microcapsules

The study focused on the role of Nattokinase/Sodium alginate/Chitosan microcapsules (NK/SA/CS microcapsules) in preserving nattokinase activity in the gastrointestinal system and attenuating atherosclerosis. The thrombolytic activity of NK would normally be lost in acidic gastric fluid after oral administration. To address this issue, the researchers developed a novel delivery system using alginate- and chitosan-encapsulated microcapsules. The NK/SA/CS microcapsules protected the loaded NK from deactivation by gastric fluid, as demonstrated by in vitro and in vivo tests. The NK/SA/CS microcapsules retained 80.41% enzyme activity in simulated gastric fluid and 50.69% in the gastric content of mice after 2 h. In atherosclerosis models, the NK/SA/CS microcapsules were found to reduce body weight and epididymal adipose weight in mice. Furthermore, they effectively managed the progression of atherosclerosis and significantly improved the lipid profile. Overall, the study highlights the potential of the NK/SA/CS microcapsules as a delivery system for NK, protecting its activity in the presence of gastric fluid and demonstrating positive therapeutic effects regarding weight management and atherosclerosis progression.