Magnetic microcapsules as novel biomonitors of cross-linking agents and diet-dependent reactive oxygen species in the human gastrointestinal tract.

Six healthy, scientifically informed human volunteers were given 14C-labeled polyethyleneimine (PEI) microcapsules by mouth. Fecal 14C recovery was inversely related to mean gut transit time (r = -0.66), and the extent of cross-linking between the membrane and core PEI was inversely related to total fecal output (r = -0.81). Cross-linking of PEI microcapsules may be a biomonitor of endogenous cross-linking agents within the human gastrointestinal tract. Extensive loss of [14C]CH3 label occurred from the microcapsules during human transit and in in vitro fermentations with human fecal flora. A mechanism whereby reactive oxygen species could arise in the iron-rich core of these microcapsules, leading to loss of [14C]CH3 label, is proposed.