Beyond Buffering: A mucosal reinforcement mechanism for GERD enabled by Esophagus-on-chip innovation

MIVO^® MIVO® esophagus-on-chip was used to reproduce gastric reflux in the esophagus
Esophageal tissues were cultured in the MIVO platform in dynamic conditions.
Hydrochloric acid was used to lower the pH and mimic the gastric reflux
The ability of a natural-based formulation to mitigate the acid-induced damage was evaluated and compared to a carbonate-based reference compound.

Two main testing approach were used, aiming at reproducing the daily use of the supplement in real life:
– A Preventive approach, where the compound was administered before the acidic challenge, to test the compound’s ability to protect the esophageal barrier
– A therapeutic approach where the compound is administered after the acidic challenge, to test the compound’s ability to restore the esophageal barrier.

In both cases, acid insult determined a damage of the esophageal barrier.
Reference compound showed a strong buffering capacity, rising the pH, while the natural-formulation showed no effect.
Despite this difference, both formulations were able to protect and restore the barrier properties of the esophageal mucosa.
Furthermore, the natural-formulation showed additional anti-inflammatory and mucoprotective properties, suggesting a differential mechanism of action between the two different formulations.

• • • Conference: Probiota 2026, Dublin
    • Authors: K Gianesin¹, E. Palamà², M. Aiello^2,3, S. Scaglione^2,3