Development of a highly efficient purification process for recombinant adenoviral vectors for oral gene delivery

Recently, replication-deficient adenoviruses have received increasing attention as vector for gene delivery and as potential vaccine carriers. With the increased use of the vector in vivo and in clinical trails, the demand for a safe, rapid, and cost effective purification process has been heightened. In this report, a simple and efficient method for the purification of large quantities of live adenoviral vectors was developed. The process involved the replacement of cesium chloride (CsCl) gradients with sucrose gradients. Ultracentrifugation times were reduced and the desalting step eliminated, decreasing total preparation time by 15 hr. A 20-80% linear sucrose gradient provided optimal recovery of infectious viral particles and positioning of the viral band in the gradient. Purification with this gradient system produced a preparation containing 1.39 x 10(14) lac-forming units (lfu)/ml. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis revealed that the process also removed all associated cellular proteins from the preparation. Studies have shown that direct lyophilization of the vector in sucrose after purification produces a product containing 1.4 x 10(12) lfu/ml. Minimal degradation was seen in the lyophilized preparation. A viral concentration of 6 x 10(11) lfu/ml was detected in the product after 150 days in storage at -20 degrees C. This approach will not only simplify the preparation of adenoviral vectors for in vivo studies and clinical trials, but will facilitate production of stable adenoviral formulations for oral gene delivery.

Factors that influence stability of recombinant adenoviral preparations for human gene therapy

This report identifies formulation and processing factors that influence stability of viral preparations such as selection of appropriate buffer systems, cryoprotectants, and cooling rates. Adenovirus type 5 containing the lacZ marker gene was suspended in combinations of trehalose, sorbitol, sucrose, mannitol, glycine, CaCl2, and gelatin. X-gal stains of 293 cells were used to determine the lac-forming units (lfu)/ml of each preparation before and after treatments. Phosphate-buffered solutions (except those containing sucrose or trehalose) demonstrated a drop of 3 pH units upon freezing regardless of cryoprotectant used. Tris-buffered solutions demonstrated a variation in pH which was dependent upon chosen cryoprotectant, with 1 M trehalose exhibiting no change and a 5% mannitol/10 mM CaCl2 combination showing a 3-unit drop in pH. 4-[2-Hydroxyethyl]-1-piperazine ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES)-buffered solutions showed little change in initial pH when frozen regardless of cryoprotectant chosen. In solution, adenovirus was not affected by incubation for 24 hr in buffers ranging from pH 4 to 8. However, when the solutions were frozen, the number of remaining infectious virions was dependent upon the final pH of the suspending medium. Cryoprotectant solutions that significantly maintained viral stability during a single freeze--thaw cycle were 0.5 M sucrose, 0.5 M trehalose, and 10% sorbitol/0.4% gelatin. Long-term stability studies were performed at 4 degrees C with lyophilized sorbital/gelatin and sucrose preparations. Both formulations provided adequate stability for the adenovirus, with 2.6 and 5.6 x 10(11) lfu/ml detected 150 days after drying, respectively.

5'-Amino acid esters of antiviral nucleosides, acyclovir, and AZT are absorbed by the intestinal PEPT1 peptide transporter

PURPOSE

General use of nucleoside analogues in the treatment of viral infections and cancer is often limited by poor oral absorption. Valacyclovir, a water soluble amino acid ester prodrug of acyclovir has been reported to increase the oral bioavailability of acyclovir but its absorption mechanism is unknown. This study characterized the intestinal absorption mechanism of 5' -amino acid ester prodrugs of the antiviral drugs and examined the potential of amino acid esters as an effective strategy for improving oral drug absorption.

METHODS

Acyclovir (ACV) and Zidovudine (AZT) were selected as the different sugar-modified nucleoside antiviral agents and synthesized to L-valyl esters of ACV and AZT (L-Val-ACV and L-Val-AZT), D-valyl ester of ACV (D-Val-ACV) and glycly ester of ACV (Gly-ACV). The intestinal absorption mechanism of these 5' -amino acid ester prodrugs was characterized in three different experimental systems; in situ rat perfusion model, CHO/hPEPT1 cells and Caco-2 cells.

RESULTS

Testing 5' -amino acid ester prodrugs of acyclovir and AZT, we found that the prodrugs increased the intestinal permeability of the parent nucleoside analogue 3- to 10-fold. The dose- dependent permeation enhancement was selective for L-amino acid esters. Competitive inhibition studies in rats and in CHO cells transfected with the human peptide transporter, hPEPT1, demonstrated that membrane transport of the prodrugs was mediated predominantly by the PEPT1 H+/dipeptide cotransporter even though these prodrugs did not possess a peptide bond. Finally, transport studies in Caco-2 cells confirmed that the 5' - amino acid ester prodrugs enhanced the transcellular transport of the parent drug.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that L-amino acid-nucleoside chimeras can serve as prodrugs to enhance intestinal absorption via the PEPT1 transporter, providing a novel strategy for improving oral therapy of nucleoside drugs.

In vitro and in vivo assessment of adenovirus 41 as a vector for gene delivery to the intestine

In order to identify suitable adenoviral vectors for efficient delivery of transgenic proteins and peptides to the intestine, the ability of adenovirus types 5 and 41 (an enterotropic serotype) to bind to and enter undifferentiated and differentiated enterocytes was assessed. FACS analysis showed no significant difference between the virions in their ability to bind to undifferentiated Caco-2 cells as 81.6% of the cellular population bound adenovirus 5 (Ad 5) and 79.8% bound Ad 41. Both virions were also efficiently internalized in this cell type as 99.6% of the cells took up Ad 5, while 95.9% took up Ad 41. In studies with differentiated enterocytes, probable targets for oral gene delivery but rather resistant to adenovirus-mediated gene transfer, 28.4% of the population internalized the Ad 5 vector and less than 10% bound the virus. Adenovirus 41 was efficiently internalized in differentiated enterocytes as 89.6% of the cellular population took up the virus while 37.4% bound the virus. These results were consistent with those observed in vivo in rat jejunum. Thus, molecularly engineered Ad 41-based recombinants could be highly efficient vectors for delivery of transgenic proteins to differentiated enterocytes.

Determination of the population pharmacokinetic parameters of sustained-release and enteric-coated oral formulations, and the suppository formulation of diclofenac sodium by simultaneous data fitting using NONMEM

Data from sustained-release and enteric-coated oral formulations, and the suppository formulation of diclofenac sodium are fitted simultaneously using NONMEM and the general linear model, ADVAN 5. Absorption and disposition parameters, serum levels, and absorption profiles were determined. The in vivo absorption profiles were determined using the program TOPFIT. The in vivo absorption for the sustained-release formulation is slow first order and follows a flip-flop model since disposition rate constants are greater than absorption rate constants. Absorption from the enteric-coated form is essentially complete (> or = 95%) at about 7.5 h, while it is 95% complete at 24 h from the sustained-release formulation. This suggests likely absorption from the colon in the case of the sustained-release formulation since absorption is only 75% complete during the first 10 h. The sustained-release relative bioavailability is 90-99%. Absorption from the suppository is essentially complete at about 4.5 h. However, the relative bioavailability of the suppository formulation is low (55%), since defecation may remove the drug from the absorption site before complete absorption.

Role of integrin expression in adenovirus-mediated gene delivery to the intestinal epithelium

Adenoviral vectors are being developed for oral delivery of therapeutic genes to the intestine. Initial studies in the rat using mucolytics and direct application of adenovirus encoded with the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene to the jejunum produced limited gene expression. The goal of this study was to determine the role of integrins in adenovirus-mediated gene delivery to the intestinal epithelium. Integrins are involved in cellular differentiation and tight junction formation and mediate adenoviral internalization. Results from Caco-2 and IEC-18 cells suggest that, as enterocytes differentiate, cell-surface integrin expression decreases. Pretreatment of Caco-2 cells with RGD peptides reduced adenoviral transduction efficiency by 80% in undifferentiated cells and 20% in differentiated cells. Both differentiated and undifferentiated IEC-18 cells showed a 70% drop in transduction when pretreated with the peptide. Infection inhibition studies with monoclonal antibodies further suggest that alpha(v)beta3 and alpha6beta1 integrins play significant roles in adenoviral internalization in the intestine. Expression of integrins in cell culture models of the intestine correlated with in vivo expression in intestinal segments. These results indicate that the ileum is a prime target for efficient adenovirus-mediated gene transfer in the rat. To enhance transduction in differentiated enterocytes (probable targets for oral gene delivery), Caco-2 cells were treated with interleukin-1beta (a cytokine known to increase integrin expression) prior to administration of the virus. Transduction efficiency increased four-fold.

Saturable small intestinal drug absorption in humans: modeling and interpretation of cefatrizine data

This report describes an extended compartmental absorption and transit (CAT) model to estimate saturable small intestinal absorption. This model simultaneously considers passive absorption, saturable absorption, degradation, and transit kinetics in the human small intestine. Using cefatrizine as a model drug, we demonstrated that the extended CAT model, along with intravenous pharmacokinetic parameters, was able to explain the observed oral plasma concentration-time profiles. The model predicted comparable passive and saturable absorption characteristics for cefatrizine, particularly at high dose. The predicted fraction of dose absorbed was 74% at 250 mg, 61% at 500 mg, and 48% at 1000 mg, in agreement with the reported experimental data. The simulation study showed that no single physiological factor (gastric emptying, small intestinal transit, and absorption mechanism) could account for the large variability of cefatrizine absorption observed in the literature.

Drug marker absorption in relation to pellet size, gastric motility and viscous meals in humans

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to evaluate drug marker absorption in relation to the gastric emptying (GE) of 0.7 mm and 3.6 mm enteric coated pellets as a function of viscosity and the underlying gastric motility.

METHODS

Twelve subjects were evaluated in a 3-way crossover study. 0.7 mm caffeine and 3.6 mm acetaminophen enteric coated pellets were concurrently administered with a viscous caloric meal at the levels of 4000, 6000 and 8000 cP. Gastric motility was simultaneously measured with antral manometry and compared to time events in the plasma profiles of the drug markers.

RESULTS

Caffeine, from the 0.7 mm pellets, was observed significantly earlier in the plasma than acetaminophen, from the 3.6 mm pellets, at all levels of viscosity. Motility related size differentiated GE was consistently observed at all viscosity levels, however, less variability was observed with the 4000 cP meal. Specifically, the onset of absorption from the of 3.6 mm pellets correlated with the onset of Phase II fasted state contractions (r = 0.929, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The timeframe of drug marker absorption and the onset of motility events were not altered within the range of viscosities evaluated. Rather, the differences in drug marker profiles from the non-digestible solids were most likely the result of the interaction between viscosity and motility influencing antral flow dynamics. The administration of the two sizes of pellets and a viscous caloric meal with subsequent monitoring of drug marker profiles is useful as a reference to assess the influence of motility patterns on the absorption profile of orally administered agents.

In vivo non-linear intestinal permeability of celiprolol and propranolol in conscious dogs: evidence for intestinal secretion

The objective of this study was to investigate the absorption mechanism of celiprolol as a potential source of the drug's non-linear oral pharmacokinetics by determining its intestinal permeability as a function of concentration in vivo in dogs. Solutions of different celiprolol concentrations containing propranolol as an internal absorption marker were perfused through an isolated jejunal segment and samples were analyzed by an enantioselective HPLC method (Hartmann et al., J. Chromatogr., 496 (1989) 387-396). Permeability (P(eff) x 10(4) cm/s) of celiprolol increased significantly from 1.9-2.1 for the lower concentrations to 3.2 for the highest concentration, while the variability decreased. No statistical differences in the uptake between the two enantiomers were observed. Permeability of propranolol also increased significantly with increasing celiprolol concentrations, suggesting that propranolol might be utilizing the same carrier protein. In conclusion, the non-linear and variable oral pharmacokinetics of celiprolol might be due to a non-linear saturable, possibly secretion component in its uptake mechanism.

Dissolution testing as a prognostic tool for oral drug absorption: immediate release dosage forms

Dissolution tests are used for many purposes in the pharmaceutical industry: in the development of new products, for quality control and, to assist with the determination of bioequivalence. Recent regulatory developments such as the Biopharmaceutics Classification Scheme have highlighted the importance of dissolution in the regulation of post-approval changes and introduced the possibility of substituting dissolution tests for clinical studies in some cases. Therefore, there is a need to develop dissolution tests that better predict the in vivo performance of drug products. This could be achieved if the conditions in the gastrointestinal tract were successfully reconstructed in vitro. The aims of this article are, first, to clarify under which circumstances dissolution testing can be prognostic for in vivo performance, and second, to present physiological data relevant to the design of dissolution tests, particularly with respect to the composition, volume, flow rates and mixing patterns of the fluids in the gastrointestinal tract. Finally, brief comments are made in regard to the composition of in vitro dissolution media as well as the hydrodynamics and duration of the test.

The mechanism of uptake of biodegradable microparticles in Caco-2 cells is size dependent

PURPOSE

To study the uptake of biodegradable microparticles in Caco-2 cells.

METHODS

Biodegradable microparticles of polylactic polyglycolic acid co-polymer (PLGA 50:50) of mean diameters 0.1 micron, 1 micron, and 10 microns containing bovine serum albumin as a model protein and 6-coumarin as a fluorescent marker were formulated by a multiple emulsion technique. The Caco-2 cell monolayers were incubated with each diameter microparticles (100 micrograms/ml) for two hours. The microparticle uptake in Caco-2 cells was studied by confocal microscopy and also by quantitating the 6-coumarin content of the microparticles taken up by the cells. The effects of microparticle concentration, and incubation time and temperature on microparticle cell uptake were also studied.

RESULTS

The study demonstrated that the Caco-2 cell microparticle uptake significantly depends upon the microparticle diameter. The 0.1 micron diameter microparticles had 2.5 fold greater uptake on the weight basis than the 1 micron and 6 fold greater than the 10 microns diameter microparticles. Similarly in terms of number the uptake of 0.1 micron diameter microparticles was 2.7 x 10(3) fold greater than the 1 micron and 6.7 x 10(6) greater than the 10 microns diameter microparticles. The efficiency of uptake of 0.1 micron diameter microparticles at 100 micrograms/ml concentration was 41% compared to 15% and 6% for the 1 micron and the 10 microns diameter microparticles, respectively. The Caco-2 cell microparticle (0.1 micron) uptake increased with concentration in the range of 100 micrograms/ml to 500 micrograms/ml which then reached a plateau at higher concentration. The uptake of microparticles increased with incubation time, reaching a steady state at two hours. The uptake was greater at an incubation temperature of 37 degrees C compared to at 4 degrees C.

CONCLUSIONS

The Caco-2 cell microparticle uptake was microparticle diameter, concentration, and incubation time and temperature dependent. The small diameter microparticles (0.1 micron) had significantly greater uptake compared to larger diameter microparticles. The results thus suggest that the mechanism of uptake of microparticles in Caco-2 cell is particle diameter dependent. Caco-2 cells are used as an in vitro model for gastrointestinal uptake, and therefore the results obtained in these studies could be of significant importance in optimizing the microparticle-based oral drug delivery systems.

Design of compounds that increase the absorption of polar molecules

Hydrophilic drugs are often poorly absorbed when administered orally. There has been considerable interest in the possibility of using absorption enhancers to promote absorption of polar molecules across membrane surfaces. The bile acids are one of the most widely investigated classes of absorption enhancers, but there is disagreement about what features of bile acid enhancers are responsible for their efficacy. We have designed a class of glycosylated bile acid derivatives to evaluate how increasing the hydrophilicity of the steroid nucleus affects the ability to transport polar molecules across membranes. Some of the glycosylated molecules are significantly more effective than taurocholate in promoting the intestinal absorption of a range of drugs, showing that hydrophobicity is not a critical parameter in transport efficacy, as previously suggested. Furthermore, the most effective glycosylated compound is also far less damaging to membranes than the best bile acid absorption promoters, presumably because it is more hydrophilic. The results reported here show that it is possible to decouple absorption-promoting activity from membrane damage, a finding that should spark interest in the design of new compounds to facilitate the delivery of polar drugs.

Human intestinal permeability of piroxicam, propranolol, phenylalanine, and PEG 400 determined by jejunal perfusion

PURPOSE

To determine the human jejunal permeabilities of compounds utilizing different transport mechanisms using a regional perfusion approach and to establish a standard procedure for determining drug permeability class to be used for the establishment of drug product bioequivalence standards.

METHODS

Six healthy male volunteers participated in this study. A multi-lumen perfusion tube was inserted orally and positioned in the proximal region of the jejunum. A solution containing piroxicam, phenylalanine, propranolol, PEG 400 and PEG 4000 was perfused through the intestinal segment at a rate of 3.0 ml/min. Perfusate samples were quantitatively collected every 10 minutes for two 100 minute periods with an intermediate wash out period to determine intra and intersubject variation.

RESULTS

The mean P(eff) (+/-SD) of piroxicam, phenylalanine, propranolol, and PEG 400 were 10.40 +/- 5.93, 6.67 +/- 3.42, 3.59 +/- 1.60, 0.80 0.46 x 10(-4) cm/sec, respectively. The coefficient of variation for the intersubject variability, first and second perfusion periods were: piroxicam, 60.5% and 57.1%; phenylalanine, 52.8% and 57.8%; propranolol, 62.1% and 44.6%; and PEG 400, 81.7% and 42.3%, indicating a slightly lower CV for the second perfusion period in the same subject. The intrasubject CV's between the two perfusion periods were: 19.4%, 21.3%, 23.6% and 41.0% respectively, indicating a smaller intraindividual variation for all compounds studied.

CONCLUSIONS

Piroxicam, a nonpolar drug exhibited the highest permeability of the compounds studied. The intrasubject CV was lower than the intersubject CV, indicating consistent permeability estimation within subjects. The methodology is useful for permeability estimation regardless of absorption mechanism and can be used to establish a consistent data base of human permeabilities for estimation of human drug absorption and for establishing the biopharmaceutic permeability class of drugs.

The absence of accessible vitronectin receptors in differentiated tissue hinders adenoviral-mediated gene transfer to the intestinal epithelium in vitro

PURPOSE

Adenoviral (Ad) vectors have been used as efficient tools for gene therapy in various tissues, whereas in some differentiated epithelium transduction efficiency is almost abolished.

METHODS

Caco-2 cell monolayers were chosen as an in vitro model for the differentiated intestinal epithelium. Fluorescence-labeled adenoviral particles were used for binding studies to cell surfaces. Internalization receptors for adenoviral uptake were detected by a fluorescence-labeled vitronectin antibody. Gene expression was studied by using the beta-galactosidase reporter gene. All experiments were done on undifferentiated and differentiated Caco-2 cells. Furthermore, adenoviral particles were allowed to bind to differentiated Caco-2 monolayers followed by a trypsinization step that disintegrates the monolayers and result in a cell suspension. Gene expression was tested after reseeding the cells into dishes.

RESULTS

The results from adenoviral binding studies, vitronectin immunofluorescence detection and gene expression are in good agreement and indicate that virion binding as well as the expression of internalization receptors almost disappear in fully differentiated cells. Nonetheless, adenoviral binding to differentiated monolayers seems to be sufficient to cause up to 53% gene expression, but only if internalization of the vector can be induced by disintegrating the monolayers and releasing free vitronectin receptors.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that gene transfer to the intestinal epithelium utilizing adenoviral vectors is poor and ineffective, because of the lack of sufficient internalization receptors. If these receptors can be exposed in differentiated epithelium, transduction can be made more efficient. Alternatively, a viral vector must be developed whose uptake mechanism is independent of integrin receptor expression like the enteral virus Ad40, or Ad5 could be conjugated to ligands that trigger viral internalization by receptor-mediated endocytosis.

A residence-time distribution analysis of the hydrodynamics within the intestine in man during a regional single-pass perfusion with Loc-I-Gut: in-vivo permeability estimation

The goal of this study was to determine the most appropriate hydrodynamic model for the Loc-I-Gut in-vivo perfusion system. The general mixing-tank-in-series model, which can approximate single mixing tank and laminar and plug-flow hydrodynamics, was fitted to the observed experimental residence-time distribution curves for the non-absorbable marker [14C]PEG 4000. The residence-time distribution analysis shows that the hydrodynamics of the perfusion solution within the jejunal segment in man is well approximately by a model containing on average between 1-2 mixing tanks in series. The solution is well mixed when using perfusion rates of 2.0, 3.0 and 6.0 mL min-1. The average mean residence time estimates from the fitted residence-time distribution were 12 +/- 7.6, 15 +/- 4.2 and 7.7 +/- 4.6 min, respectively, at these three perfusion rates. The mean volumes of the segment (Vs) were 25 +/- 15, 45 +/- 12 and 46 +/- 27 mL, respectively. There were no statistical differences between 2.0, 3.0 and 6.0 mL min-1 in respect of the number of mixing tanks (n) and mean residence times. This residence-time distribution analysis indicates that the luminal fluid in the Loc-I-Gut perfusion system is well-mixed, and that permeability calculations based on the well-mixed assumption most closely approximate the actual local (average) membrane permeability within the perfused segment.

Steady-state pharmacokinetics of delavirdine in HIV-positive patients: effect on erythromycin breath test

OBJECTIVE

The steady-state kinetics of delavirdine and desisopropyldelavirdine were evaluated in human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients after escalating oral doses and after repeated oral administrations at the same dose level.

STUDY DESIGN

Patients (n = 8 males) were given escalating oral doses of delavirdine mesylate, in a sequential fashion, over 14 days for phases 1 (200 mg every 8 hours), 2 (300 mg every 8 hours), and 3 (400 mg every 8 hours). Control patients (n = 4 males) were given 300 mg oral doses of drug every 8 hours for all three phases. Hepatic CYP3A activity was evaluated with the erythromycin breath test (ERMBT).

RESULTS

In the escalating-dose group, delavirdine displayed nonlinear kinetics as indicated by the decreasing oral clearance, maximum steady-state plasma concentration/minimum steady-state plasma concentration ratio, and log-linear terminal rate constant, as well as by increasing half-life at higher doses; the ratio of desisopropyl-delavirdine formation clearance to elimination clearance was also reduced. In the control group, the kinetics of delavirdine and desisopropyl-delavirdine were unchanged. Plasma protein binding was linear for delavirdine in the escalating-dose and control groups; on average, the fraction unbound was about 2.3% and 2.0%, respectively. Hepatic CYP3A activity was markedly reduced after short- and long-term exposure to all doses of delavirdine mesylate. Delavirdine could maximally inhibit 70% to 75% of predose ERMBT values, with an IC50 of about 0.9 mumol/L.

CONCLUSION

Delavirdine is a potent and reversible inhibitor of hepatic CYP3A; it is also a substrate for this CYP450 isoform. It is likely that delavirdine will exhibit drug-drug interactions when coadministered with other CYP3A substrates.

Dissolution media for in vitro testing of water-insoluble drugs: effect of surfactant purity and electrolyte on in vitro dissolution of carbamazepine in aqueous solutions of sodium lauryl sulfate

The intrinsic dissolution rate and solubility of carbamazepine was measured in aqueous solutions of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) prepared with two different grades of purity, 95 and 99%, and 95% SLS in 0.15 M NaCl to determine the effect of surface-active impurities and electrolytes. Four significant observations resulted from this work: (1) the equilibrium coefficients calculated from the solubility experiments in the 99% SLS, 95% SLS, and 95% with 0.15 M NaCl SLS solutions were 295, 265, and 233 L/mol, respectively; (2) the dissolution rate enhancement in the 99% SLS was 10% greater than that in the 95% SLS and 95% with 0.15 M NaCl solutions, which were not significantly different; (3) the diffusion coefficients of the drug-loaded micelles estimated from the dissolution experiments were 8.4 x 10(-7) cm2/s for the 99% SLS, 9.5 x 10(-7) cm2/s for the 95% SLS, and 1.2 x 10(-6) cm2/s for the 95% with 0.15 M NaCl; and (4) the critical micelle concentrations for the 99% SLS, 95% SLS, and 95% SLS with 0.15M NaCl were 6.8, 4.2, and 0.35 mM, respectively. The results of this study clearly illustrate the sensitivity of the micelle to impurities and electrolytes with regard to size and loading capacity and the effect these changes have on the solubility and dissolution rate. Therefore, when using surfactants in dissolution media for in vitro testing of dosage forms, consideration must be given to the level of impurities present so that the results are consistent and reliable. Intrinsic dissolution rate, surface tension, or solubility measurements may be useful, convenient methods for identifying changes in the surfactant due to either degradation or lot-to-lot variability.

Gastrointestinal uptake of biodegradable microparticles: effect of particle size

PURPOSE

To investigate the effect of microparticle size on gastrointestinal tissue uptake.

METHODS

Biodegradable microparticles of various sizes using polylactic polyglycolic acid (50:50) co-polymer (100 nm, 500 nm, 1 micron, and 10 microns) and bovine serum albumin as a model protein were formulated by water-in-oil-in-water emulsion solvent evaporation technique. The uptake of microparticles was studied in rat in situ intestinal loop model and quantitatively analyzed for efficiency of uptake.

RESULTS

In general, the efficiency of uptake of 100 nm size particles by the intestinal tissue was 15-250 fold higher compared to larger size microparticles. The efficiency of uptake was dependent on the type of tissue, such as Peyer's patch and non patch as well as on the location of the tissue collected i.e. duodenum or ileum. Depending on the size of microparticles, the Peyer's patch tissue had 2-200 fold higher uptake of particles than the non-patch tissue collected from the same region of the intestine. Histological evaluation of the tissue sections demonstrated that 100 nm particles were diffused throughout the submucosal layers while the larger size nano/microparticles were predominantly localized in the epithelial lining of the tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a microparticle size dependent exclusion phenomena in the gastrointestinal mucosal tissue with 100 nm size particles showing significantly greater tissue uptake. This has important implications in designing of nanoparticle-based oral drug delivery systems, such as an oral vaccine system.

Human dipeptide transporter, hPEPT1, stably transfected into Chinese hamster ovary cells

PURPOSE

A cDNA encoding the H(+)-coupled peptide transporter, hPEPT1, has previously been cloned from human ileum (8). The objective of this study was to establish a stably transfected cell line expressing hPEPT1 in mammalian cell culture.

METHODS

The hPEPT1 cDNA was subcloned into an expression vector carrying the CMV promoter and a neomycin resistance gene. This vector, pCDNA3-PEPT1, was transiently transfected into several cell lines to identify those capable of expressing PEPT1 transport function. CHO cells were selected and stably transfected with PEPT1 (CHO-PEPT1). Dipeptide transport activity was measured with 3H-Gly-Sar, in the presence and absence of inhibitors.

RESULTS

The clonal cell line, CHO-PEPT1, displayed high transport activity. Dipeptide transport was sensitive to pH and specific for dipeptides and other small peptides. Peptidomimetic antibiotics, such as cephalexin, were competitors for peptide transport.

CONCLUSIONS

The stably transfected cell line, CHO-PEPT1 exhibits enhanced transport over that of cell lines with native expression of PEPT1, and therefore, represents a useful tool for rapid screening of drugs that utilize the peptide transporter in the human intestine for absorption.

HT29-MTX/Caco-2 cocultures as an in vitro model for the intestinal epithelium: in vitro-in vivo correlation with permeability data from rats and humans

The diverse secretory and absorptive functions of the intestinal epithelium are conducted by a mixed population of absorptive cells and mucus-producing goblet cells as the major cell types. In order to approach the main characteristics in an in vitro model, a coculture system of absorptive Caco-2 cells and mucus-secreting HT29-MTX cells was developed and the permeability of a range of different drugs was tested. Variable goblet cell frequency can be achieved, preserving a significant barrier to drug transport and maintaining the differentiated features of both cell types. Absorption rates for actively transported drugs are rather underestimated in the cell culture model when compared to in vivo data. However, a good correlation with fraction absorbed in humans was attained separating the range of passively transported drugs into two groups of well-absorbable compounds with Peff > or = 10 x 10(-6) cm/s and drugs that are absorbed 40-70% with Peff = 0.1-1 x 10(-5) cm/s. A permeability of Peff < 0.1 x 10(-5) cm/s is suggested for low absorbable drugs.

Drug dissolution into micellar solutions: development of a convective diffusion model and comparison to the film equilibrium model with application to surfactant-facilitated dissolution of carbamazepine

The intrinsic dissolution rate of carbamazepine in solutions of sodium lauryl sulfate was measured to study the convective diffusion transport of drug-loaded micelles from a rotating disk. Alternative definitions for effective diffusivity and reaction factor are presented and compared with those commonly used for this type of transport problem. The conventional and alternative approaches are based on the same fundamental assumptions differing only in their interpretation of the diffusional boundary layer. For example, in this study it was observed that, above the cmc, a 2% w/v solution of sodium lauryl sulfate increased the dissolution rate approximately 6-fold and the solubility approximately 20-fold. This difference between the solubility and dissolution enhancement was attributed to the contribution to the total transport of both the enhanced solubility, a 20-fold increase, and the effective diffusivity of the drug-micelle complex, a 3-fold decrease, hence a net 6-fold increase in dissolution. The diffusivity of the drug-loaded micelle estimated from the dissolution data using the new definitions compared well with values determined by other methods (Dsm = 8.4 x 10(-7) cm2/s). On the basis of these results, the new definitions for the effective diffusivity and reaction factor offer a practical method for estimating micellar diffusion coefficients and predicting drug dissolution under the well-defined hydrodynamics of the rotating disk. It may also be possible to extend the application of these definitions to study the dissolution of water-insoluble drugs in other media, such as emulsions, to better understand drug dissolution under fed conditions in vivo.

Novel approach to the analysis of in vitro-in vivo relationships

The objective of this study was to quantify the dependence of degree of in vitro-in vivo correlation on the relative rates of dissolution and intestinal permeation and on the fraction of dose absorbed. The following equation was derived assuming first-order dissolution and permeation after oral drug administration: Fa = fa-1(1 - alpha(alpha - 1)-1 (1 - Fd) + (alpha - 1)-1(1 - Fd)alpha), where Fa is the fraction of the total amount of drug absorbed at time t, fa the fraction of the dose absorbed at t = infinitive, alpha is the ratio of the first-order permeation rate constant to the first-order dissolution rate constant, and Fd is the fraction of dose dissolved in vitro at time t. This equation was examined in order to pursue a theoretical treatment of in vitro-in vivo correlation. The degree of in vitro-in vivo correlation between Fa and Fd was measured by r2. alpha was varied between 1000 and 0.001. fa was varied between 0.1 and 1.0. Points employed in the linear regression were geometrically balanced about the derived equation. r2 values decreased as alpha decreased for all values of fa. r2 values were virtually independent of fa for all values of alpha, except for 0.01 < alpha < 1.0. The slope of the regression was modulated by both alpha and fa; larger alpha and smaller fa each increased slope. Application of the equation to a piroxicam data set demonstrated the equation's utility relative to the USP Level A correlation approach. It is concluded that the degree of in vitro-in vivo correlation depends on the relative rates of dissolution and intestinal permeation and on the fraction of dose absorbed and that the derived model merits further study.

Transport approaches to the biopharmaceutical design of oral drug delivery systems: prediction of intestinal absorption

For almost a half century scientists have striven to develop a theoretical model capable of predicting oral drug absorption in humans. From the pH-partition hypothesis to the compartmental absorption and transit (CAT) model, various qualitative/quantitative approaches have been proposed, revised and extended. In this review, these models are classified into three categories; quasi-equilibrium models, steady-state models and dynamic models. The quasi-equilibrium models include the pH-partition hypothesis and the absorption potential concept, the steady-state models include the film model and the mass balance approaches, and the dynamic models include the dispersion, mixing tank and CAT models. The quasi-equilibrium models generally provide a basic guideline for understanding drug absorption trends. The steady-state models can be used to estimate the fraction of dose absorbed. The dynamic models predict both the fraction of dose absorbed and the rate of drug absorption and can be related to pharmacokinetic models to evaluate plasma concentration profiles.

Transmembrane transport of peptide type compounds: prospects for oral delivery

Synthesis and delivery of potential therapeutic peptides and peptidomimetic compounds has been the focus of intense research over the last 10 years. While it is widely recognized that numerous limitations apply to oral delivery of peptides, some of the limiting factors have been addressed and their mechanisms elucidated, which has lead to promising strategies. This article will briefly summarize the challenges, results and current approaches of oral peptide delivery and give some insight on future strategies. The barriers determining peptide bioavailability after oral administration are intestinal membrane permability, size limitations, intestinal and hepatic metabolism and in some cases solubility limitations. Poor membrane permeabilities of hydrophilic peptides might be overcome by structurally modifying the compounds, thus increasing their membrane partition characteristics and/or their affinity to carrier proteins. Another approach is the site-specific delivery of the peptide to the most permeable parts of the intestine. The current view on size limitation for oral drug delivery has neglected partition considerations. Recent studies suggest that compounds with a molecular weight up to 4000 might be significantly absorbed, assuming appropriate partition behavior and stability. Metabolism, probably the most significant factor in the absorption fate of peptides, might be controlled by coadministration of competitive enzyme inhibitors, structural modifications and administration of the compound as a well absorbed prodrug that is converted into the therapeutically active agent after its absorption. For some peptides poor solubility might present a limitation to oral absorption, an issue that has been addressed by mechanistically defining and therefore improving formulation parameters. Effective oral peptide delivery requires further development in understanding these complex mechanisms in order to maximize the therapeutic potential of this class of compounds.

Mathematical model and dimensional analysis of glycocholate binding to cholestyramine resin: implications for in vivo resin performance

In large doses, cholestyramine resin lowers blood serum cholesterol by binding bile salts in the intestinal lumen and thus increases the fecal excretion of bile salts. In order to gain a better understanding of the low in vivo potency of cholestyramine, mathematical models estimating the amount of glycocholate bound per gram of cholestyramine and the free glycocholate concentration were derived and employ the capacity-corrected molar selectivity coefficient. Predictions of the quantity of glycocholate bound per gram of cholestyramine and of the free glycocholate concentration matched observed values (r2 = 0.993 and r2 = 0.998, respectively) over a wide range of conditions. Simulated binding studies indicated the relative importance of several biopharmaceutical parameters for improved resin in vivo performance. Increasing resin selectivity of glycocholate over chloride has greatest therapeutic impact if bile salt sequestering is most important in the upper portion of the intestines. Furthermore, ion exchange phenomena was subjected to dimensional analysis and revealed the controlling factors as components of two dimensionless numbers, GC* and Cl*. Placing physiologic limits on values of GC* and Cl* suggests requisite selectivity properties of more potent bile acid sequestrants and dosing strategies to optimize current resin therapy.

Biology of membrane transport proteins

Membrane transporter proteins are encoded by numerous genes that can be classified into several superfamilies, on the basis of sequence identity and biological function. Prominent examples include facilitative transporters, the secondary active symporters and antiporters driven by ion gradients, and active ABC (ATP binding cassette) transporters involved in multiple-drug resistance and targeting of antigenic peptides to MHC Class I molecules. Transported substrates range from nutrients and ions to a broad variety of drugs, peptides and proteins. Deleterious mutations of transporter genes may lead to genetic diseases or loss of cell viability. Transporter structure, function and regulation, genetic factors, and pharmaceutical implications are summarized in this review.

Investigation into the intestinal metabolism of [D-Ala1] peptide T amide: implication for oral drug delivery

The anti-AIDS drug, [D-Ala1] Peptide T amide (D-ASTTTNYT.NH2) is an octapeptide which competitively inhibits the attachment of HIV to the receptor CD4 molecule on the T-lymphocyte. The objective of the study is to investigate the degradative process of this peptide and its effective enzyme inhibitors. The metabolites of [D-Ala1] Peptide T amide in rabbit brush-border membrane vesicles at pH 6.5 are ASTT, ASTTTN, YT and Y. The sequential time-course study of each metabolite reveals that enkephalinase (EC 3.4.24.11) plays an important role in the hydrolysis of [D-Ala1] Peptide T amide to ASTT. With the addition of an enkephalinase inhibitor, thiorphan, 85% of degradation was inhibited. Aminopeptidase is also involved in its degradative process and 25% of inhibition was observed by amastatin, an aminopeptidase inhibitor. The results show that no significant difference was observed between the in situ and chronical loop perfusion studies and enzyme activities are somewhat inhibited under acidic conditions in both methods. Approx. 90% of the parent peptide remained when rats were perfused with pH 4.0 peptide solution at a flow rate of 0.123 ml/min, while only 60% was recovered when pH 6.5 peptide solution was applied. The addition of amastatin made a quadrupled increase in the amount of parent peptide recovered. A 117-fold increment was observed when thiorphan was added. The dimensionless wall permeability of this peptide was 1.19 +/- 0.16 when pH 4.0 peptide solution was used during chronical loop perfusion study. Therefore, this study suggests that [D-Ala1] Peptide T amide could be absorbed via small intestine where enzymatic degradation s a rate-limiting step for the absorption of this peptide.

Gastrointestinal absorption of peptide drug: quantitative evaluation of the degradation and the permeation of metkephamid in rat small intestine

The intestinal absorption of metkephamid (MKA), an analog of natural [Met]enkephalin, was investigated by means of vascular perfusion of the rat small intestine. Most of the MKA administered to the jejunal loop was degraded in the lumen by enzymatic hydrolysis, whereas only 0.3 to 1.2% of it was absorbed into the vascular flow. This means that enzymatic degradation is a major barrier against the intestinal absorption of MKA. The absorption of MKA was divided into two steps, degradation and permeation, and is expressed as clearance from the intestine. The degradation clearance (CLd) of MKA was 60- to 200-fold higher than the permeation clearance (CLp), indicating the rapid hydrolysis of MKA before absorption. The absorbed fraction of MKA increased with increasing luminal MKA concentration, mainly due to an increase in CLp rather than a decrease in CLd. MKA was degraded not only before absorption but also during permeation across the intestinal epithelium. Three kinds of enzyme inhibitors were co-administered with MKA into the intestinal loop. Puromycin, an aminopeptidase M inhibitor, markedly enhanced MKA absorption by both decreasing CLd and increasing CLp, indicating the predominant role of this enzyme in MKA degradation. Bestatin, another aminopeptidase M inhibitor, also effectively suppressed the degradation of MKA before absorption, whereas it only slightly increased CLp. It was further found that bestatin was less effective in inhibiting MKA hydrolysis during permeation. Thiorphan, an enkephalinase inhibitor, had no effect on MKA absorption.

Celiprolol double-peak occurrence and gastric motility: nonlinear mixed effects modeling of bioavailability data obtained in dogs

Investigation of the underlying mechanism leading to inter- and intrasubject variations in the plasma concentration-time profiles of drugs (1) can considerably benefit rational drug therapy. The significant effect of gastric emptying on the rate and extent of celiprolol absorption and its role with respect to double-peak formation was demonstrated in the present study. In four dogs racemic celiprolol was dosed perorally in a crossover design during four different phases of the fasted-state gastric cycle and gastric motility was recorded simultaneously using a manometric measurement system. Intravenous doses were also given to obtain disposition and bioavailability parameters. The blood samples were assayed by a stereoselective HPLC method (2). The time to onset of the active phase of the gastric cycle showed an excellent correlation with the time to celiprolol peak concentration. Furthermore, bioavailability was increased when celiprolol was administered during the active phase. Double peaks were observed when the first active phase was relatively short, suggesting that a portion of the drug remained in the stomach until the next active phase. Population pharmacokinetic modeling of the data with a two-compartment open model with two lag times incorporating the motility data confirmed the effect of time to gastric emptying on the variability of the oral pharmacokinetics of celiprolol. The fasted-state motility phases determine the rate and extent of celiprolol absorption and influence the occurrence of double peaks. Peak plasma levels of celiprolol exhibit less variability if lag times, and therefore gastric emptying times, are taken into consideration.

Gastric pH influences the appearance of double peaks in the plasma concentration-time profiles of cimetidine after oral administration in dogs

The plasma concentration-time profiles of cimetidine often exhibit two peaks following oral administration of a single dose in the fasted state, while the concurrent administration of some antacids results in a lower extent as well as rate of absorption. In the present work, absorption of cimetidine after a single dose in the fasted state was studied as a function of gastric pH in male beagle dogs to determine whether gastric pH plays a role in the double peak phenomenon and/or can account for the decrease in bioavailability when antacids are coadministered. The extent of absorption of cimetidine was not influenced significantly by gastric pH, indicating that elevation of gastric pH is not the cause of decreases in the bioavailability of cimetidine when it is administered with antacids. Distinct double peaks or plateaux were noted in 8 of 10 plasma profiles when the gastric pH was 3 or below. Irregular absorption behavior was observed in 2 of 6 profiles in the pH range of 3 to 5, while single peaks were observed in all 10 profiles when the gastric pH was maintained at pH > or = 5. It was concluded that gastric pH is a major factor in the generation of cimetidine double peaks. Changes in gastric pH also resulted in changes in the apparent kinetics of absorption. Below pH 5, absorption mostly followed zero-order kinetics (9 of 16 profiles) or a more complex kinetic process involving at least two components to the absorption phase (5 of 16 profiles). At gastric pH > or = 5, however, absorption followed first order kinetics in 7 of 10 profiles. These differences in kinetics of absorption are postulated to arise from variations in gastric emptying as a function of pH and/or carryover effects of gastric pH into the upper intestine.

Percutaneous absorption and dermal delivery of cyclosporin A

The present study deals with attempts to deliver cyclosporin A into the deeper skin and some of the fundamental reasons why this proves so difficult. Because of different physicochemical requirements for the solution and activity of cyclosporin A and the enhancer, n-decylmethyl sulfoxide, it was hard to demonstrate increases in permeation of cyclosporin A by the enhancer in either aqueous or ethanol/water formulation. Cyclosporin A was prohibitively insoluble in aqueous media and the activity of the enhancer is diminished to ineffectiveness when it is applied in alcoholic media. However, n-decylmethyl sulfoxide action on the stratum corneum could be obtained by pretreating the skin. The effect of pretreatment with this compound on the permeation of cyclosporin A through hairless mouse skin and human skin was studied with side-by-side diffusion cells. The skin was pretreated with 10 mM n-decylmethyl sulfoxide for various durations. Cyclosporin A in an ethanol/water formulation was then placed in the donor cell, with the amount of ethanol being controlled to maintain the highest possible thermodynamic activity. Accumulations of cyclosporin A in receiver cell media, aqueous or ethanol/water, were then assessed. Permeation from two different concentrations of cyclosporin A was compared. The permeability of hairless mouse skin to cyclosporin A was increased by the pretreatment, but results with human skin were more equivocal. It appears that it will take very long pretreatments to ready human skin for topical cyclosporin A therapy.

The effect of dosage release formulations on the pharmacokinetics of propranolol stereoisomers in humans

Recent studies in dogs have suggested that the disposition of S- and R-propranolol may depend on the input rate of drug delivered to the liver. Therefore, this study was designed to determine whether differences in the disposition of S- and R-propranolol occur in humans when altering the input rate of propranolol by giving different dosage forms of the drug. Twelve healthy subjects were enrolled in a single-dose, 4-way crossover pharmacokinetic study in which racemic propranolol was given according to 1 of 4 treatments: one 80-mg immediate-release (IR) tablet, phase A; two 80-mg IR tablets, phase B; a 160-mg controlled-release capsule, phase C; or a 10-mg IV bolus, phase D. The results showed no significant differences in the ratios of S/R-propranolol for AUC, clearance, or overall mean concentration among the oral dosage groups. Significant differences in these parameters including Cmax S/R ratio were seen between the oral phases and the IV phase. These differences appear to be related more to the route of administration than to the low input rate. However, at high concentrations there may be input-rate alteration in S/R ratios. Specifically, for phase B, which had the highest Cmax concentrations, the Cmax S/R ratio was significantly lower than the other oral dosage groups A and C (Cmax S/R ratios: 1.44 versus 1.54 and 1.54, respectively; P < .05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A theoretical basis for a biopharmaceutic drug classification: the correlation of in vitro drug product dissolution and in vivo bioavailability

A biopharmaceutics drug classification scheme for correlating in vitro drug product dissolution and in vivo bioavailability is proposed based on recognizing that drug dissolution and gastrointestinal permeability are the fundamental parameters controlling rate and extent of drug absorption. This analysis uses a transport model and human permeability results for estimating in vivo drug absorption to illustrate the primary importance of solubility and permeability on drug absorption. The fundamental parameters which define oral drug absorption in humans resulting from this analysis are discussed and used as a basis for this classification scheme. These Biopharmaceutic Drug Classes are defined as: Case 1. High solubility-high permeability drugs, Case 2. Low solubility-high permeability drugs, Case 3. High solubility-low permeability drugs, and Case 4. Low solubility-low permeability drugs. Based on this classification scheme, suggestions are made for setting standards for in vitro drug dissolution testing methodology which will correlate with the in vivo process. This methodology must be based on the physiological and physical chemical properties controlling drug absorption. This analysis points out conditions under which no in vitro-in vivo correlation may be expected e.g. rapidly dissolving low permeability drugs. Furthermore, it is suggested for example that for very rapidly dissolving high solubility drugs, e.g. 85% dissolution in less than 15 minutes, a simple one point dissolution test, is all that may be needed to insure bioavailability. For slowly dissolving drugs a dissolution profile is required with multiple time points in systems which would include low pH, physiological pH, and surfactants and the in vitro conditions should mimic the in vivo processes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

In vitro characterization of sodium glycocholate binding to cholestyramine resin

Cholestyramine resin in a bile acid sequestrant which binds with bile salts in the intestinal lumen to increase the fecal excretion of bile salts and, thus, lower blood serum cholesterol. In order to gain a better understanding of the low in vivo potency of cholestyramine, in vitro equilibrium binding studies, water sorption studies, and resin capacity measurements were performed using cholestyramine and the bile salt sodium glycocholate. Equilibrium binding and water sorption studies entailed equilibrating cholestyramine (1.0-20 mg/mL) with solutions which varied in glycocholate anion concentration (0.20-16.5 mM) and chloride anion concentration (15-150 mM). The resin's practical specific capacity for glycocholate was lower than the practical specific capacity for chloride. This difference suggests that the rigid, bulky bile salt was pore excluded from 10% of the resin's ionogentic sites. A fundamental parameter called the capacity-corrected molar selectivity coefficient, KGC-Cl-, was postulated to describe the underlying binding phenomena and was determined by measuring the free glycocholate and chloride anion concentrations; KGC-Cl- ranged from 9.8 (+/- 0.7) to 18.6 (+/- 0.2) and depended on the square of the free chloride concentration. The capacity-corrected molar selectivity coefficient was larger than the molar selectivity coefficient due to pore exclusion of glycocholate. A more simple method to calculate the capacity-corrected molar selectivity coefficient which required less data gave similar values to the more rigorous method (r2 = 0.955).

Variable gastric emptying and discontinuities in drug absorption profiles: dependence of rates and extent of cimetidine absorption on motility phase and pH

The influence of various fasting-state gastrointestinal parameters on variability in absorption of cimetidine was studied using simulation and cimetidine administration as a duodenal infusion and as an oral tablet in fistulated mongrel dogs. In the simulation studies, the frequency of double-peak occurrence in plasma profiles was estimated employing average gastric emptying rates as well as interdigestive-migrating-motor-complex (IMMC) phase lengths that were systematically altered. Emptying rates and phase lengths were modeled as periodic step functions. Simulations indicated that double peaks occur when gastric emptying of the drug begins in early phase I or late phase II/III, which represent the periods of very low, medium, and high gastrointestinal motility, respectively. The incidence is increased for longer phase-I duration and higher elimination rate constants. For a compound with a 2 h elimination or disposition half-life, two concentration maxima (double peaks) were found in 12% of the simulated concentration-time profiles. The double peak frequency in simulated curves was considerably higher for t1/2 < 30 min. When cimetidine was administered to dogs as a duodenal infusion in the active and quiescent motility phases, discontinuous profiles were observed, although the variability of the various parameters was reduced when compared. Pharmacokinetic models were set up that were characterized by multi-segmental input (one- to 3-lag-time models were used) for the profiles resulting from oral and duodenal administration. The lag time for the first process characterized the onset of absorption. A significant difference between phases was detected for infusions at pH 8, where the initial lag time was longer in the quiescent phase. The mean input time (MIT) was calculated as the integral input parameter. There was a tendency for the MIT to be higher for pH 6 infusions than for pH 4 and pH 8. Bioavailability analysis indicated that cimetidine was more rapidly and completely absorbed at pH 8 than at pH 6. Bioavailability was also slightly higher at pH 4 than at pH 6. We concluded that gastric emptying increased the variability of the cimetidine concentration-against-time profiles and that it plays a role with respect to double-peak occurrence, although it is only one of several causative factors.

The role of rheological properties in mucociliary transport by frog palate ciliated model

The effect of viscoelastic properties on mucociliary transport rate was investigated using the frog palate ciliated model. Mucociliary transportability of several hydrophilic polymeric gels with widely different viscoelastic characteristics were tested on the frog palate mucociliary model. An apparent negative relationship is observed between the relative transport rate (TR) and storage (G1) or loss (G2) modulus. However, a minimum in relative transport rate is observed at an apparent loss tangent (tan delta) value of between 0.7 and 0.9. A theoretical model for mucociliary transport is presented. The model predicted a minimum in transport rate at tan delta equal to 1.74 after adjustment for primary variation due to storage modulus (G1), which is in agreement with the observed frog palate transport rate. The model isolates the loss tangent (tan delta) and the magnitude of the complex modulus (magnitude of G*) as the important viscoelastic parameters for mucociliary transport. Optimum rheological characteristics with respect to slow transport rate can be achieved by using hydrophilic polymer gels with a large complex modulus and simultaneously with a loss tangent equal to 1.74.

Modulated drug release using iontophoresis through heterogeneous cation-exchange membranes. 2. Influence of cation-exchanger content on membrane resistance and characteristic times

An implantable drug delivery method using iontophoresis through cation-selective membranes was further developed. Heterogeneous cation-exchange membranes (HCMs) were prepared by mixing conductive sulfonated polystyrene beads into a nonconductive silicone rubber matrix. The membrane resistivity and lag time to steady-state transport of two salts, (+/-)-phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride (PPA) and NaCl, were evaluated during constant current iontophoresis at 37 degrees C as a function of the resin content in the HCMs. A continuous decline in membrane resistivity was observed as fractional resin content (l) was increased over the entire usable region (l = 0.29-0.52), a characteristic that could be described by a percolation scaling law (for an infinite lattice, 3-D geometry). Morphological analysis of the membranes before and after swelling strongly suggested that the conducting clusters of resin beads form during the swelling period prior to use. The response time to steady-state transport of PPA into NaCl during a 40 microA constant current (0.27 cm2) was found to increase with increasing l, but not without decreasing the permselectivity of the HCMs for the drug cation. The lag time effect could be explained in terms of an increasing number of fixed charge groups in the membrane available for transport (mfcA), which was derived from a macroscopic mass balance model. The values of mfcA were also found to be related to the characteristic time of diffusion in a homogeneous transport projection of the HCM (or an effective medium), an essential parameter for future non-steady-state simulations. The characteristic time of diffusion was found to be invariant with changing resin content, suggesting that the membranes are fairly nontortuous (ca. seven beads thick). By assuming that the thickness of the HCM approaches the thickness of its homogeneous projection, an expression was derived to predict lag time to steady-state PPA transport requiring resistance measurements only (provided that the resin capacity is known). There was excellent agreement between the theoretical and experimental lag time to steady-state transport of PPA (r = 0.96, p < 0.001), further implicating the role of membrane resistance in the bi-ionic system. These modeling approaches have already found utility in iontophoretic implant design for prevention of cardiac arrhythmias and may be valuable in future non-steady-state analysis to further develop on-line detection-implant response technology.

Viscoelastic properties of poly(ethylene oxide) solution

The viscoelastic properties of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) solution were investigated using the dynamic oscillatory testing technique. With this technique, the effect of PEO molecular weight (MW), concentration, composition of mixed solvent systems consisting of propylene glycol, glycerol formal, and water, and the effect of NaCl salt on the viscoelastic properties of PEO solution were determined. Dynamic moduli (G1, G2), magnitude of complex viscosity (magnitude of eta*), and loss tangent (tan delta) were examined over a frequency range of 10(-3)-2.5 Hz at 30 degrees C. The results indicated that low MW PEOs show liquidlike behavior while high elasticity is exhibited by high MW PEOs due to entanglement formation. The complex viscosity, magnitude of eta*, exhibits shear thinning (power-law) characteristics under oscillatory measurements. The relationship between steady shear and complex viscosities follows the Cox-Merz rule over the shear rate and frequency region studied. Both the storage (G1) and loss (G2) modulus increase drastically as the proportion of water in the mixed solvent system increases. Similarly, both G1 and G2 are found to increase while the tan delta decreases with increasing concentration of PEOs. The addition of up to 2% w/w NaCl in an aqueous solution of 10% w/w 2 million MW PEO has no observed detrimental effect on the viscoelastic behavior.

Noncompetitive inhibition of cephradine uptake by enalapril in rabbit intestinal brush-border membrane vesicles: an enalapril specific inhibitory binding site on the peptide carrier

ACE inhibitors, as well as aminocephalosporins with peptide-like structures, are transported by the intestinal peptide carrier. We investigated the transport mechanism using intestinal brush-border membrane vesicles from rabbits and observed that enalapril, an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and substrate of the peptide carrier, noncompetitively inhibited the uptake of cephradine, an aminocephalosporin and substrate of the peptide carrier, with an inhibition constant (Ki) of 2.6 mM when it was present on the cis side (outside) of the vesicles. By contrast, enalaprilat, cefadroxil and GlyPro competitively inhibited cephradine transport with Ki values of 5.4, 3.8 and 5.1, respectively. These results suggest the presence of an enalapril-specific inhibitory binding site on the peptide carrier. In addition, enalapril on the trans side (inside) of the vesicles inhibited the uptake of cephradine, suggesting an apparent reduction of carrier availability by a trapping mechanism. On the other hand, cefadroxil stimulated the uptake of cephradine in the trans experiment, consistent with the concept of countertransport. These findings reveal the uniqueness of enalapril regarding its mode of interaction with the peptide carrier(s) which has been of increasing interest regarding its role in the intestinal absorption of peptide-type drugs.

Oral absorption of peptides: the effect of absorption site and enzyme inhibition on the systemic availability of metkephamid

In this study the intestinal degradation and absorption of a synthetic pentapeptide, metkephamid, were investigated in the rat by determination of its wall permeabilities in the small and large intestine and the extent and mechanism of its intestinal degradation. The peptide was metabolized in the gut wall through contact with membrane-bound enzymes in the brush border membrane. The extent of metabolic inactivation depended on the intestinal segment investigated and decreased in the axial direction. No metabolism was found in the colon. The dimensionless wall permeabilities (Pw*), determined by single-pass perfusion, were also site dependent. Pw* was highest in the ileum [1.91 +/- 0.24, (SE); n = 4], followed by the jejunum (1.64 +/- 0.34; n = 4) and the colon (0.67 +/- 0.38; n = 4). Based on the permeability data alone and under the assumption of no presystemic metabolism, complete bioavailability would be predicted for metkephamid. However, following oral administration, the mean absolute bioavailability was only 0.22 +/- 0.065% (n = 3), indicating the overall dominance of degradation in the absorption process. Thus future strategies in oral peptide delivery should focus on increasing the stability of the peptide in the intestine by modifying the peptide structure and/or delivering the compound to an intestinal segment showing little or no enzymatic degradation.

Characterization of the oral absorption of some beta-lactams: effect of the alpha-amino side chain group

The intestinal absorption mechanisms of cefixime, 7-aminocephalosporanic acid (7-ACA) and 6-aminopenicillanic acid (6-APA) were determined from the results of single-pass perfusion experiments in rats by modified boundary layer analysis. The estimated absorption parameters (SEM) were as follows: for cefixime, J*max = 0.016 (0.008) mM, Km = 0.031 (0.015) mM, P*m = 0.184 (0.037), P*c = 0.523 (0.051); for 7-ACA, J*max = 6.39 (1.57) mM, Km = 19.33 (5.64) mM, P*c = 0.33 (0.03) mM; and for 6-APA, P*m = 0.41 (0.11), where J*max is the maximal flux of peptide transport system, Km is the intrinsic Michaelis constant, P*m is the dimensionless membrane permeability, and P*c is the dimensionless carrier permeability. Cefixime was absorbed by a carrier-mediated mechanism because its wall permeability (P*w) was concentration dependent and significantly inhibited by cephradine. A concentration-dependent permeability of 7-ACA was observed, but an inhibition study failed to show significant inhibition by cephradine. The absorptions of 6-APA and penicillin V were not inhibited by cephradine or cefixime. The fractions of dose absorbed of several beta-lactam antibiotics correlated well with their absorption numbers obtained from P*w values in rats. These results further demonstrate that an alpha-amino group is not necessary for transport by the intestinal peptide transporter.

Viscoelasticity of anionic polymers and their mucociliary transport on the frog palate

The influence of formulation variables on the rheology of polyanionic formulations and the relationships between viscoelastic properties and mucociliary transport rate were investigated. Polymeric samples were oscillated from 0.001 to 5 Hz using either a "cone and plate" or a "coaxial cylinder" measuring system. The mucociliary transport rates of polymeric samples were determined and compared movement of charcoal powder on the frog palate. For the linear polymeric solutions, sodium carboxymethylcellulose and sodium alginate, the elastic modulus (G') increased with increasing amplitudes during frequency scan. However, the G' or viscous modulus (G'') of partially cross-linked polyacrylic acid (cPAA) samples did not change significantly under oscillation. Both G' and G'' of cPAA samples were significantly influenced by the amount of salt present in the formulation. The rheology of 2% (w/w) cPAA in 90:10 (w/w) propylene glycol:alcohol changed from a viscous fluid to a coarse suspension after neutralization. The pH increased gradually when the nonaqueous formulation reacted with water and the maximum dynamic moduli were obtained after incorporating 20% (w/w) water in the formulation. A negative correlation was found between the G' of linear polyanionic samples and the relative transport rate. However, the lowest mucociliary transport rate was observed when the loss tangent (G''/G') was around 0.4-0.5.

An investigation into the mechanical and transport properties of aqueous latex films: a new hypothesis for the film-forming mechanism of aqueous dispersion system

The effects of plasticizer, physical aging, and film-forming temperature on the mechanical and transport properties of films formed from aqueous dispersions of ethylcellulose latex were investigated. The water vapor permeability of latex films was found to decrease with diethyl phthalate to a minimum value and then to increase with diethyl phthalate at higher concentrations. Because of the decrease in free volume and the further coalescence of particles of latex polymer films in the physical aging range, the creep compliance of latex films decreased with physical aging time. Within 60 to 100 degrees C, the film-forming temperature was found to have no effect on the mechanical and transport properties of Aquacoat films. However, since many pinholes formed in the latex films when the film-forming temperature was above 100 degrees C, the water vapor permeability of latex films was higher than that of latex films formed between 60 and 100 degrees C. The formation of films from aqueous latex dispersions is suggested to proceed gradually from the top to the bottom of the latex dispersion in this study.

Peptide carrier-mediated transport in intestinal brush border membrane vesicles of rats and rabbits: cephradine uptake and inhibition

The uptake kinetics of cephradine, an amino-beta-lactam antibiotic, were studied in rat and rabbit intestinal brush border membrane vesicles preparations using both the Ca2+ and the Mg2+ methods of preparation, in the presence of an inward proton gradient. The Ca2+ method demonstrated greater uptake of cephradine in intestinal brush border vesicles prepared from both rat and rabbit and was used for these studies. The transport was observed to be of Michaelis-Menten carrier-mediated type with a passive transport component. The kinetic parameters obtained were as follows: for rat and rabbit, respectively, Km, 1.6 and 1.9 mM; Jmax', 1.7 and 20.7 nmol/mg/min; Pc' (= Jmax'/Km), 1.1 and 10.9 microL/mg/min; and Pm', 0.4 and 0.8 microL/mg/min. The kinetic parameters for the rat vesicles are consistent with those from our previous perfusion study using a conversion factor of 0.71 cm2/mg protein. The rabbit vesicles exhibited a similar Michaelis constant and a 10-fold larger maximal transport velocity, suggesting a quantitative advantage for the study of carrier-mediated transport in the rabbit compared to rat vesicles from the intestine. Cephradine uptake was inhibited by phenylpropionylproline, a proline derivative, and enalapril, an ACE inhibitor, which do not have an alpha-amino group, as well as dipeptides, tripeptides, and amino-beta-lactam antibiotics in both rat and rabbit vesicles. These results support the suggestion that they share the same peptide carrier pathway for oral absorption and that the vesicles may be a useful tool in developing orally effective peptide-type drugs.

Description and simulation of a multiple mixing tank model to predict the effect of bile sequestrants on bile salt excretion

A nonlinear, multicompartment mixing tank model based on human physiologic parameters from the literature and in vitro bile salt sequestrant binding parameters was integrated numerically to simulate bile salt excretion. The model focuses on the transit of bile salts and resin, bile salt binding, and bile salt reabsorption as a means of gaining insight into the functioning of bile sequestrants in the gastrointestinal tract and the effect of reabsorption of bile salts on the sequestering process. The series of compartments through the ileal region were tested over a range of parameter values, and the results were compared with bile salt output from ileostomy patient data to validate the model without resin. In simulations incorporating resin with a reversible binding scheme, fecal bile salt output was 2.37 (+/- 0.6) x 10(-3) mol/day compared with 2.64 (+/- 1.1) x 10(-3) mol/day for human data. Assuming irreversible bile salt binding resulted in predictions of fecal bile salt excretion greater than three times physiologic values. The results of these simulations support the hypothesis that the lack of efficacy of bile sequestrants is due to the displacement of bound bile salts from the sequestrant as a consequence of anion competition and bile salt reabsorption. Gastric emptying effects and the timing of resin doses have also been investigated with the model.