Hydrogels obtained from natural polymers have received widespread attention for their excellent biocompatible property, nontoxicity, easy gelation, and functionalization. Polysaccharides can regulate the gut microbiota and improve the intestinal microenvironment, thus exerting the healthy effect of intestinal immunity. In an active substance delivery system, the extent and speed of the substance reaching its target are highly dependent on the carrier. Thus, the smart active substance delivery systems are gradually increasing. The smart polysaccharide-hydrogels possess the ability in response to external stimuli through changing their volume phase and structure, which are applied in various fields. Natural polysaccharide-based hydrogels possess excellent characteristics of environmental friendliness, good biocompatibility, and abundant sources. According to the response type, natural polysaccharide-based hydrogels are usually divided into stimulus-responsive hydrogels, including internal response (pH, temperature, enzyme, redox) and external response (light, electricity, magnetism) hydrogels. The delivery system based on polysaccharides can exert their effects in the gastrointestinal tract. At the same time, polysaccharides may also take part in regulating the brain signals through the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Therefore, natural polysaccharide-hydrogels are considered as promising biomaterials, which can be designed as delivery systems for regulating the gut-brain axis. This article reviews the research advance of stimulus-responsive hydrogels, which focus on the types, response characteristics, and applications for polysaccharide-based smart hydrogels as delivery systems.

OBJECTIVE— Polymorphisms in the adiponectin gene ( ADIPOQ ) have been associated with type 2 diabetes and diabetic nephropathy in type 1 diabetes, in mostly European-derived populations. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS— A comprehensive association analysis of 24 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the adiponectin gene was performed for type 2 diabetes and diabetic nephropathy in African Americans. RESULTS— The minor allele (A) in a single SNP in intron 1 (rs182052) was associated with diabetic nephropathy ( P = 0.0015, odds ratio [OR] 1.37, CI 1.13–1.67, dominant model) in an African American sample of 851 case subjects with diabetic nephropathy and 871 nondiabetic control subjects in analyses incorporating adjustment for varying levels of racial admixture. This association remained significant after adjustment of the data for BMI, age, and sex ( P = 0.0013–0.0004). We further tested this SNP for association with longstanding type 2 diabetes without nephropathy ( n = 317), and evidence of association was also significant ( P = 0.0054, OR 1.46, CI 1.12–1.91, dominant model) when compared with the same set of 871 nondiabetic control subjects. Combining the type 2 diabetes and diabetic nephropathy samples into a single group of case subjects ( n = 1,168) resulted in the most significant evidence of association ( P = 0.0003, OR 1.40, CI 1.17–1.67, dominant model). Association tests between age at onset of type 2 diabetes and the rs182052 genotypes also revealed significant association between the presence of the minor allele (A/A or A/G) and earlier onset of type 2 diabetes. CONCLUSIONS— The SNP rs182052 in intron 1 of the adiponectin gene is associated with type 2 diabetes in African Americans.

Increasing evidence has confirmed that whole grain oats are effective in regulating hyperlipidemia. Which specific ingredient is crucial remains unclear. This study focused on which components, oat phenolic compounds (OPC)...

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