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World J Gastroenterol. Jul 28, 2014; 20(28): 9321-9329
Published online Jul 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i28.9321
Gastroretentive drug delivery systems for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori
Shan Zhao, Yan Lv, Jian-Bin Zhang, Bing Wang, Guo-Jun Lv, Xiao-Jun Ma
Shan Zhao, Yan Lv, Jian-Bin Zhang, Bing Wang, Guo-Jun Lv, Xiao-Jun Ma, Laboratory of Biomedical Material Engineering, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, Liaoning Province, China
Shan Zhao, Yan Lv, Jian-Bin Zhang, Bing Wang, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Author contributions: Zhao S designed and wrote the paper, Lv Y, Zhang JB and Wang B provided the images, contributed to literature research and drafted the article; Lv GJ and Ma XJ revised the manuscript critically.
Correspondence to: Xiao-Jun Ma, Professor, Laboratory of Biomedical Materials Engineering, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 457 Zhongshan Road, Dalian 116023, Liaoning Province, China. maxj@dicp.ac.cn
Telephone: +86-411-84379139 Fax: +86-411-84379096
Received: November 1, 2013
Revised: March 4, 2014
Accepted: April 15, 2014
Published online: July 28, 2014
Abstract

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most common pathogenic bacterial infections and is found in the stomachs of approximately half of the world’s population. It is the primary known cause of gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcer disease and gastric cancer. However, combined drug therapy as the general treatment in the clinic, the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, adverse reactions and poor patient compliance are major obstacles to the eradication of H. pylori. Oral site-specific drug delivery systems that could increase the longevity of the treatment agent at the target site might improve the therapeutic effect and avoid side effects. Gastroretentive drug delivery systems potentially prolong the gastric retention time and controlled/sustained release of a drug, thereby increasing the concentration of the drug at the application site, potentially improving its bioavailability and reducing the necessary dosage. Recommended gastroretentive drug delivery systems for enhancing local drug delivery include floating systems, bioadhesive systems and expandable systems. In this review, we summarize the important physiological parameters of the gastrointestinal tract that affect the gastric residence time. We then focus on various aspects useful in the development of gastroretentive drug delivery systems, including current trends and the progress of novel forms, especially with respect to their application for the treatment of H. pylori infections.

Keywords: Helicobacter pylori, Gastroretentive systems, Floating systems, Bioadhesive systems, Expandable systems

Core tip:Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most common pathogenic bacteria. It is the primary known cause of gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcer disease and gastric cancer. In addition to triple therapies, oral site-specific drug delivery systems (especially gastroretentive dosage forms) prolong the gastric retention time and can increase the concentration of the drug at the target site, thereby improving the therapeutic effect. This review focuses on gastroretentive drug delivery strategies and their application to the eradication of H. pylori.