Intestinal molecular siphoning by engineered bacterial spores for non-systemic treatment of nicotine addiction

Engineered Bacillus subtilis spores delivering a trypsin-resistant nicotine oxidase via enteric microspheres markedly reduced nicotine peak concentrations in mouse blood and brain.

• Why it matters: Systemic detoxification of toxic small molecules can cause off-target adverse events, so a non-systemic way to lower circulating levels is needed.
• What they did: Mice received an oral live bacterial spore system with nicotine oxidase surface display and enteric-coated microspheres for gastric protection and intestinal release.
• The result: The treatment attenuated nicotine addiction in mice by suppressing dopamine reward surges, reversing withdrawal hyperalgesia, preventing nicotinic acetylcholine receptor upregulation, and alleviating anxiety-like behaviors.

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