Title:Gelatin Tannate: A Selective Biofilm-Forming, Gut Mucoprotectant for Acute Gastroenteritis in Children. A Short Narrative Review
Volume: 12
Issue: 1
Author(s): Jess Torres-Herrera*Gabriel Torres-Ruiz
Affiliation:
- Consorci Sanitari Integral (CSI) & lnstitut Catalá de la Salut (ICS) Barcelona, Pasaje de Forasté 4 BIS 08022, Barcelona,Spain
Keywords:
Gelatin tannate, acute gastroenteritis, mucoprotectant, children.
Abstract: Background: Gelatin tannate is bowel selective, safe and effective, and
acts locally to form a biofilm. As an adjuvant to oral rehydration solution (ORS), gelatin
tannate acts as a mucoprotectant in the management of acute diarrhea in children.
Objective: To provide an up-to-date review of the pharmacological profile of gelatin
tannate, and its efficacy and safety in the treatment of children with acute gastroenteritis.
Methods: A medical literature review was conducted using the PubMed database,
analyzing all gelatin tannate preclinical research and clinical reports, and post-marketing
surveillance data.
Results: In vitro studies have demonstrated that gelatin tannate protects biological membranes
against corrosive substances. In vivo, gelatin tannate acts not only as a gut mucoprotectant
but also as an anatomical and physiological modulator. Moreover, gelatin tannate is
an intestinal barrier enhancer endowed with gut homeostatic recovering properties. Clinical
studies have shown that the combination of gelatin tannate and ORS has a fast onset of
action and is effective and safe in the relief of acute diarrheal conditions in children.
Conclusion: Although ongoing clinical studies will address current clinical gaps with gelatin
tannate, the findings highlighted in this overview may have particular implications for
the use of gelatin tannate in resource-poor, developing countries to treat cases of pediatric
acute gastroenteritis.