Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of managing weight, and treating overweight or obesity and treating or preventing diabetes in a subject in need thereof. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of (a) orally administering to the subject from about 0.7 g to about 4 g of crosslinked carboxymethylcellulose; and (b) orally administering to the subject at least about 100 mL of water per gram of crosslinked carboxymethylcellulose. Steps (a) and (b) are conducted prior to or with at least one meal per day.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of inducing weight loss and/or preventing weight gain in a subject affected by administering certain diets selected based on the fasting blood glucose and/or the fasting insulin of the subject. The present disclosure further provides personalized dietary instruction, based on the fasting blood glucose and/or the fasting insulin of a subject, with the potential to improve the weight loss and prevent weight regain. The present disclosure further relates to methods for predicting weight loss success and classifying responsiveness of a subject to a certain diet as well as methods for selecting a weight loss or a weight gain diet for a subject based on the fasting blood glucose and/or the fasting insulin of the subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides crosslinked carboxymethylcellulose having high elastic modulus coupled with high absorbance capacity when swollen in simulated gastric fluid/water (1:8) and simulated intestinal fluids. The invention further provides methods of making the crosslinked carboxymethylcellulose, compositions comprising the crosslinked carboxymethylcellulose and methods of using the crosslinked carboxymethylcellulose, for example, for treating overweight or obesity or for enhancing glycemic control.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a polymer hydrogel comprising the steps of: (1) preparing an aqueous solution of a water soluble polysaccharide derivative and a polycarboxylic acid; (2) optionally agitating the solution, for example, by stirring; (3) isolating a polysaccharide derivative/polycarboxylic acid composite from the solution; and (4) heating the polysaccharide derivative/polycarboxylic acid composite at a temperature of at least about 80° C., thereby cross-linking the polysaccharide with the polycarboxylic acid. The invention also provides polymer hydrogels produced by the methods of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new methods for crosslinking a polysaccharide with a bifunctional poly(ethylene glycol). The invention further includes the polymer hydrogels which can be produced using these methods, compositions comprising the polymer hydrogels and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of managing weight, and treating overweight or obesity and treating or preventing diabetes in a subject in need thereof. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of (a) orally administering to the subject from about 0.7 g to about 4 g of crosslinked carboxymethylcellulose; and (b) orally administering to the subject at least about 100 mL of water per gram of crosslinked carboxymethylcellulose. Steps (a) and (b) are conducted prior to or with at least one meal per day.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for treating a gut permeability-related disease or disorder comprising administering to the gastrointestinal tract of a subject in need thereof, a therapeutically effective amount of a hydrogel having an elastic modulus (G?) of at least about 500 Pa.

Abstract: The present invention provides crosslinked carboxymethylcellulose having high elastic modulus coupled with high absorbance capacity when swollen in simulated gastric fluid/water (1:8) and simulated intestinal fluids. The invention further provides methods of making the crosslinked carboxymethylcellulose, compositions comprising the crosslinked carboxymethylcellulose and methods of using the crosslinked carboxymethylcellulose, for example, for treating overweight or obesity or for enhancing glycemic control.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a polymer hydrogel comprising the steps of: (1) preparing an aqueous solution of a water soluble polysaccharide derivative and a polycarboxylic acid; (2) optionally agitating the solution, for example, by stirring; (3) isolating a polysaccharide derivative/polycarboxylic acid composite from the solution; and (4) heating the polysaccharide derivative/polycarboxylic acid composite at a temperature of at least about 80° C., thereby cross-linking the polysaccharide with the polycarboxylic acid. The invention also provides polymer hydrogels produced by the methods of the invention.

Abstract: Methods of enabling or improving the ability of a hydrogel to swell in the stomach of an animal and/or increasing the amount of time said hydrogel remains swollen in the stomach are described herein. In one embodiment, a polymer is administered in combination with one or more pH modifying agents which raise and maintain the pH of the micro environment of the polymer and/or the stomach in order inducing swelling in the polymer. The polymer can be a homopolymer, a copolymer, or a polymer blend or composite. In one embodiment, the polymer is a superabsorbent polymer (“SAP”). The polymers can also be administered with one or more active agents, such as appetite suppressants. The pH modifying agent and/or the active agent can be administered simultaneously with the polymer in the same dosage form, simultaneously with the polymer in separate dosage forms, or sequentially. The compositions are formulated for oral administration.

Abstract: The present invention provides crosslinked carboxymethylcellulose having high elastic modulus coupled with high absorbance capacity when swollen in simulated gastric fluid/water (1:8) and simulated intestinal fluids. The invention further provides methods of making the crosslinked carboxymethylcellulose, compositions comprising the crosslinked carboxymethylcellulose and methods of using the crosslinked carboxymethylcellulose, for example, for treating overweight or obesity or for enhancing glycemic control.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating constipation and compositions useful in said method. The method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a crosslinked carboxymethylcellulose having high elastic modulus coupled with high absorbance capacity when swollen in simulated gastric fluid/water (1:8) and simulated intestinal fluids.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a polymer hydrogel, comprising cross-linking a precursor comprising a hydrophilic polymer optionally in combination with a second hydrophilic polymer, using a polycarboxylic acid as the cross-linking agent. The invention further concerns the polymer hydrogel obtainable by the method of the invention and the use thereof in a number of different applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of managing weight, and treating overweight or obesity and treating or preventing diabetes in a subject in need thereof. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of (a) orally administering to the subject from about 0.7 g to about 4 g of crosslinked carboxymethylcellulose; and (b) orally administering to the subject at least about 100 mL of water per gram of crosslinked carboxymethylcellulose. Steps (a) and (b) are conducted prior to or with at least one meal per day.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a polymer hydrogel comprising the steps of: (1) preparing an aqueous solution of a water soluble polysaccharide derivative and a polycarboxylic acid; (2) optionally agitating the solution, for example, by stirring; (3) isolating a polysaccharide derivative/polycarboxylic acid composite from the solution; and (4) heating the polysaccharide derivative/polycarboxylic acid composite at a temperature of at least about 80° C., thereby cross-linking the polysaccharide with the polycarboxylic acid. The invention also provides polymer hydrogels produced by the methods of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a polymer hydrogel, comprising cross-linking a precursor comprising a hydrophilic polymer optionally in combination with a second hydrophilic polymer, using a polycarboxylic acid as the cross-linking agent. The invention further concerns the polymer hydrogel obtainable by the method of the invention and the use thereof in a number of different applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a polymer hydrogel, comprising cross-linking a precursor comprising a hydrophilic polymer optionally in combination with a second hydrophilic polymer, using a polycarboxylic acid as the cross-linking agent. The invention further concerns the polymer hydrogel obtainable by the method of the invention and the use thereof in a number of different applications.