Activation of P2Y receptor enhances high-molecular compound absorption from rat ileum

While there are no reports concerning the effects of extracellular nucleotides on the intestinal absorption of drugs, it is well known that extracellular nucleotides are important regulators of intestinal epithelial ion transport. This report using fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran 4000 (FD-4) as the model compound is the first to investigate the effects of purine nucleotides on absorption of poorly absorbed drugs from intestine. ATP enhanced the absorption of FD-4 from rat ileum in a concentration-dependent manner. ADP also enhanced the absorption of FD-4. Other purine nucleotides (adenosine, AMP, UTP and UDP) did not show an absorption-enhancing effect. The absorption-enhancing effect by ATP was inhibited by suramin and pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonate (PPADS), which are known P2 receptor antagonists. Additionally, 2-methylthio ATP (a P2Y receptor agonist) enhanced the absorption of FD-4, but alpha,beta-methylene ATP (a P2X receptor agonist) did not. These findings suggest that activation of the P2Y receptor may improve the absorption of water-soluble and high-molecular compounds from the ileum.     

Effect of chitosan structure properties and molecular weight on the intranasal absorption of tetramethylpyrazine phosphate in rats

The objective of this work was to assess and compare the absorption promoting effect of different molecular-weight chitosans, trimethyl chitosans and thiolated chitosans for intranasal absorption of 2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine phosphate (TMPP). An in situ nasal perfusion technique in rats was utilized to test the rate and extent of TMPP absorption in situ. In vivo studies were carried out in rats and the pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated and compared with that of intravenous injection. All the chitosan derivatives investigated could enhance the intranasal absorption of TMPP significantly. However, thiolation could not improve the absorption-enhancing capacity of chitosan remarkably even when the thiolation ratio was as high as 152 μmol/g. In contrast, trimethylated chitosan exhibited stronger absorption-enhancing ability than the homopolymer chitosan. The permeation enhancing effect of chitosan increased with increasing molecular weight up to M_w 100 kDa. In vivo studies indicated that chitosan 100 kDa and TMC 50 kDa had comparable absorption-enhancing effect but chitosan 100 kDa functioned for more than 120 min versus 90 min for TMC. A good correlation was found between the in situ absorption data and plasma concentration in vivo for the polymers investigated. This study demonstrated that both chitosan structural features and chitosan molecular weight play a key role on promoting the intranasal absorption of TMPP. Taking safety reason into account, chitosan 100 kDa is the most promising as an intranasal absorption enhancer.     

Improvement of intestinal absorption of water-soluble macromolecules by various polyamines: intestinal mucosal toxicity and absorption-enhancing mechanism of spermine

The absorption-enhancing effects of three different polyamines, spermine (SPM), spermidine (SPD) and putrescine (PUT) on the intestinal absorption of water-soluble macromolecules were examined in rats. Fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled dextrans (FDs) with different average molecular weights were chosen as models of water-soluble macromolecules and intestinal absorption of FDs with or without these polyamines was examined by an in situ closed loop method. The intestinal absorption of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled dextran with an average molecular weight of 4400 (FD4) was relatively low in the absence of these polyamines. However, its absorption was improved in the presence of 5-10mM SPM and 10mM SPD in the jejunum and 10mM SPM in the colon, while 10mM PUT had almost no absorption-enhancing effect on the intestinal absorption of FD4. Overall, the enhancing effects of these polyamines were greater in the jejunal membranes than in the colonic membranes. The absorption-enhancing effect of SPM decreased as the molecular weights of FDs increased. The intestinal membrane toxicity of 10mM SPM was evaluated by measuring the amount of protein and activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) released from the intestinal epithelial cells. We also observed the morphological changes of intestinal mucosa in the presence or absence of SPM. The results indicated that the amount of protein and LDH was not changed in the presence of 10mM SPM, although we observed a significant increase in these biological markers in the presence of 3% Triton X-100, as a positive control. Furthermore, we found no significant change in the intestinal membrane with 10mM SPM by the morphological observation. These findings suggested that 10mM SPM did not cause any significant membrane damage to the intestinal epithelium. To investigate the absorption-enhancing mechanism of SPM, the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) of the rat jejunal membranes was studied by using a diffusion chamber method. SPM decreased the TEER values in a concentration dependent manner and 10mM SPM had almost the same effect to decrease the TEER value compared with 10mM EDTA as a positive control. These findings suggest that SPM may loosen the tight junction of the epithelium, thereby increasing the intestinal absorption of drugs via a paracellular route. In summary, polyamines, especially SPM would be one of the suitable absorption enhancers with high effectiveness and low intestinal membrane toxicity.     

A Drug Absorption Model Based on the Mucus Layer Producing Human Intestinal Goblet Cell Line HT29-H

A new drug absorption model based on monolayers of the human intestinal goblet cell line HT29-H grown on permeable filters has been characterized. HT29-H cells have been shown (a) to form monolayers of mature goblet cells under standard cell culture conditions, (b) to secrete mucin molecules, (c) to produce a mucus layer that covers the apical cell surface, and (d) that this mucus layer is a significant barrier to the absorption of the lipophilic drug testosterone. This is the first demonstration of an intact human mucus layer with functional barrier properties produced in cell culture. The results indicate that monolayers of HT29-H cells provide a valuable complement to mucus-free drug absorption models based on absorptive cell lines such as Caco-2 cells.     

Site of drug absorption after oral administration: assessment of membrane permeability and luminal concentration of drugs in each segment of gastrointestinal tract.

This study was conducted to assess the site of drug absorption in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract after oral administration. Drug permeability to different regions of rat intestine, jejunum, ileum and colon, was measured by in situ single-pass perfusion method. It was revealed that the epithelial surface area should not be a determinant of the regional difference in the intestinal permeability of highly permeable drugs. Effects of the mucus layer at the surface of the epithelium and the fluidity of the epithelial cell membrane on the drug permeability were investigated. These factors are demonstrated to contribute to the regional differences in intestinal drug permeability. The luminal drug concentration in each segment of the GI tract after oral administration was measured directly in fasted rats. Water ingested orally was absorbed quickly in the jejunum and the luminal fluid volume was diminished in the middle to lower part of the small intestine. According to the absorption of water luminal concentration of atenolol, a drug with low permeability, was elevated and exceeded the initial dose concentration. In contrast, the concentration of highly permeable drugs, antipyrine and metoprolol, decreased quickly in the upper part of the intestine and a significant amount of drugs was not detected in the lower jejunum and the ileum. From the time-profiles of luminal drug concentration, fraction of dose absorbed from each segment of the GI tract was calculated. Both antipyrine and metoprolol were found to be absorbed quickly at the upper part of the small intestine. In addition, the possible contribution of gastric absorption was demonstrated for these drugs. The pattern of site-dependent absorption of atenolol showed the higher absorbability in the middle and lower portion of the jejunum. These informations on site-dependent absorption of drugs are considered to be important for effective oral delivery systems.     

Polyamidoamine dendrimers can improve the pulmonary absorption of insulin and calcitonin in rats

The absorption-enhancing effects of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers with various generations (G0-G3) and concentrations [0.1%-1.0% (w/v)] on the pulmonary absorption of peptide and protein drugs were studied in rats. Insulin and calcitonin were chosen as models of peptide and protein drugs, and their pulmonary absorption with or without PAMAM dendrimers was examined by in vivo pulmonary absorption studies. PAMAM dendrimers significantly increased the pulmonary absorption of insulin and calcitonin in rats, and their absorption-enhancing effects were generation dependent. The rank order of absorption enhancement effect of these PAMAM dendrimers was G3 > G2 > G1 > G0. For the same generation, the absorption-enhancing effects of PAMAM dendrimers were shown to be concentration dependent. The toxicity of these PAMAM dendrimers in the lung tissues was evaluated by measuring the release of protein and the activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). The PAMAM dendrimers with various generations and concentrations did not significantly increase the release of protein and the activities of LDH in BALF, indicating that these dendrimers did not cause any membrane damage to the lung tissues. The zeta potentials of insulin and calcitonin solutions changed to positive by the addition of PAMAM dendrimers, and the degree of positive charge as determined by the zeta potentials was linearly correlated with the absorption-enhancing effects of the PAMAM dendrimers. This positive charge of the PAMAM dendrimers might be related to their absorption-enhancing mechanisms for improving the pulmonary absorption of insulin and calcitonin in rats. In conclusion, the PAMAM dendrimers are suitable absorption enhancers to improve the pulmonary absorption of insulin and calcitonin without any membrane damage to the respiratory tissues.     

Aminated gelatin as a nasal absorption enhancer for peptide drugs: evaluation of absorption enhancing effect and nasal mucosa perturbation in rats

This study was carried out to evaluate the potential of aminated gelatin as a nasal absorption enhancer for peptide drugs. The absorption-enhancing effect was investigated in rats using insulin and fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran with a molecular weight of 4.4 kDa (FD-4) as model drugs. The absorption of insulin was estimated by measuring the changes in plasma glucose levels following intranasal administration, and that of FD-4 was determined by measuring its plasma concentration after dosing. The hypoglycaemic effect after intranasal administration of insulin with aminated gelatin significantly increased compared with that after intranasal administration of insulin in phosphate buffered saline, indicating that aminated gelatin effectively enhanced the nasal absorption of insulin. In contrast, neither kind of native gelatin (isoelectric point = 5.0 and 9.0) showed any absorption-enhancing effect. The pH of the formulations and the concentration of aminated gelatin were found to affect the hypoglycaemic effect. In addition, aminated gelatin at a concentration of 0.2% significantly enhanced the absorption and the efflux of FD-4 through the rat nasal mucosa. The possible perturbation of aminated gelatin to nasal mucosa was evaluated by measuring the leaching of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) using an in-situ perfusion rat model. Aminated gelatin presented a concentration-dependent (0.1-0.4%) but relatively small effect on the LDH leaching from the rat nasal epithelial membrane. These results suggest that positively charged aminated gelatin could be a new absorption enhancer for nasal delivery of peptide drugs.     

Facilitated nanoscale delivery of insulin across intestinal membrane models

The effect of nanoparticulate delivery system on enhancing insulin permeation through intestinal membrane was evaluated in different intestinal epithelial models using cell cultures and excised intestinal tissues. Multilayered nanoparticles were formulated by encapsulating insulin within a core consisting of alginate and dextran sulfate nucleating around calcium and binding to poloxamer, stabilized by chitosan, and subsequently coated with albumin. Insulin permeation through Caco-2 cell monolayer was enhanced 2.1-fold, facilitated by the nanoparticles compared with insulin alone, 3.7-fold through a mucus-secreting Caco-2/HT29 co-culture, and 3.9-fold through excised intestinal mucosa of Wistar rats. Correlation of Caco-2/HT29 co-culture cells with the animal-model intestinal membrane demonstrates that the mucus layer plays a significant role in determining the effectiveness of oral nanoformulations in delivering poorly absorbed drugs. Albumin was applied to the nanoparticles as outermost coat to protect insulin through shielding from proteolytic degradation. The effect of the albumin layering on insulin permeation was compared with albumin-free nanoparticles that mimic the result of albumin being enzymatically removed during gastric and intestinal transport. Results showed that albumin layering is important toward improving insulin transport across the intestinal membrane, possibly by stabilizing insulin in the intestinal conditions. Transcellular permeation was evidenced by internalization of independently labeled insulin and nanoparticles into enterocytes, in which insulin appeared to remain associated with the nanoparticles. Transcellular transport of insulin through rat intestinal mucosa may represent the predominant mechanism by which nanoparticles facilitate insulin permeation. Nanoformulations demonstrated biocompatibility with rat intestinal mucosa through determination of cell viability via monitoring of mitochondrial dehydrogenases. Insulin permeation facilitated by the biocompatible nanoparticles suggests a potential carrier system in delivering protein-based drugs by the oral route.     

In vitro evaluation of intestinal fluoride absorption using different cell models

The main routes of fluoride (F) exposure are drinking water and certain foods; consequently, intestinal absorption is an important stage in the study of F exposure. In the present study, different cell models [Caco-2, HT29-MTX and various proportions of Caco-2/HT29-MTX)] were used to evaluate intestinal transport of F. The influence of cell type, pH, mucus layer, bile salts and food matrices on the apparent permeability coefficient (P(app)) was evaluated. The results show that a higher proportion of HT29-MTX in the monolayer produces an increase in F permeability, although the mucus layer secreted by HT29-MTX decreases F transport. The results also show that taurocholic acid, a component of bile salts, and acid pH increase F permeability, whereas the presence of a food matrix (rice) decreases intestinal transport of F. In all cases, alterations in F permeability were closely related with modulation of cell junctions.     

Absorption-improving effects of chitosan oligomers based on their mucoadhesive properties: a comparative study on the oral and pulmonary delivery of calcitonin

Effects of chitosan oligomers with different types and varying concentrations on the intestinal and pulmonary absorptions of calcitonin were investigated in rats by an in situ closed loop method and an in vivo pulmonary absorption experiment, respectively. Various chitosan oligomers demonstrated different efficiencies in improving the intestinal and pulmonary absorptions of calcitonin, and chitosan hexamer with the optimal concentration of 0.5% (w/v) showed the greatest absorption enhancing effect. Moreover, pharmacodynamic parameters of calcitonin after its coadministration intrapulmonarily with various chitosan oligomers were consistently larger than that in the intestinal delivery, indicating the superior potential of pulmonary administration for systemic delivery of calcitonin. Furthermore, various chitosan oligomers neither obviously increased release amounts of protein nor activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), revealing the safety of these chitosan oligomers to lung tissue. In addition, bioadhesions of various chitosan oligomers were well consistent with their absorption enhancing effects in the absorption experiment, suggesting the contribution of mucoadhesive properties of chitosan oligomers to their absorption improving effects. Taken together, chitosan oligomers, especially chitosan hexamer, can effectively improve the intestinal and pulmonary absorptions of calcitonin partly due to the mucoadhesion between positive chitosan oligomers and negative mucus in the membrane.     

依托泊苷壳聚糖胶束的制备及壳聚糖促进依托泊苷肠吸收作用的研究

目的 制备依托泊苷壳聚糖胶束,并研究壳聚糖对依托泊苷肠吸收的促进作用。方法 用透析法制备依托泊苷壳聚糖胶束,建立依托泊苷HPLC含量测定方法,测定了其包封率与载药量;采用大鼠在体肠循环实验,研究不同剂量壳聚糖对依托泊苷全肠段和各个肠段吸收的影响。结果 壳聚糖胶束平均粒径为139.5 nm,多分散系数为0.569;依托泊苷标准曲线为A=8 436.8C-4 963.8,r=1.000 0,日内、日间精密度符合要求;包封率为（47.3±2.84）%,载药量为（1.10±1.27）%;随着壳聚糖浓度的增加,依托泊苷在全肠段的单位面积吸收量有不同程度的增加;壳聚糖对依托泊苷的吸收促进作用存在着肠道特异性,作用大小顺序：回肠 >空肠 >十二指肠。结论 在十二指肠、空肠和回肠,壳聚糖都不同程度促进了药物的吸收,且在空肠和回肠有显著性的影响。     

Enhancing effect of N-octyl-O-sulfate chitosan on etoposide absorption

P-glycoprotein (P-gp), expressed in the apical membranes of the epithelial cells of the intestine, can reduce the oral bioavailability of a wide range of drugs. Many surfactants/excipients have been demonstrated to potentially increase drug absorption by inhibiting P-gp. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of N-octyl-O-sulfate chitosan (NOSC) on the absorption of etoposide (VP16), a substrate of P-gp with low water solubility. The rat intestinal circulating perfusion in situ and Caco-2 cell uptake and monolayer membrane penetration in vitro were performed to investigate the enhancing ability of NOSC in comparison with some other P-gp inhibitors. The results indicated that various concentrations of NOSC all increased the intestinal absorption of VP16 in rat jejunum and ileum obviously and there was no significant difference in ileum between the enhancing effects of NOSC and other P-gp inhibitors. The VP16 uptake of Caco-2 cell was increased by NOSC solution with different concentrations. As the NOSC concentration was close to its critical micelle concentration (CMC), the cell uptake of VP16 reached to a maximum value. Both NOSC and verapamil (Ver) enhanced dramatically the transport of VP16 from apical side to basolateral side in Caco-2 cell monolayers. Moreover, they both decreased notably the transport of VP16 from basolateral side to apical side, but this effect of NOSC was weaker than that of Ver. However, transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) of Caco-2 cell monolayers had no significant change during the study. These studies demonstrated that NOSC had the potential by inhibiting P-gp to improve the absorption of oral drugs which were P-gp substrates.     

Effect of octreotide on fluid absorption and secretion by the normal human jejunum and ileum in vivo

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that part of the non-specific antidiarrhoeal effect of octreotide is mediated by a proabsorptive or antisecretory effect on small intestinal active electrolyte transport. METHODS: To measure the effect of octreotide on net absorption, the jejunum and ileum of normal human subjects were perfused with a balanced electrolyte solution; to measure the effect of octreotide on normal active chloride secretion, the jejunum was perfused with a bicarbonate-free solution. RESULTS: During perfusion of a balanced electrolyte solution, octreotide increased basal net fluid absorption in the jejunum and ileum by about 40 mL/h per 30 cm. In the jejunum, octreotide markedly inhibited basal and sham feeding-stimulated active chloride secretion and inhibited water secretion by 28 and 51 mL/h per 30 cm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Octreotide causes an increase in the net epithelial cell absorption rate of a balanced electrolyte solution in the normal jejunum and ileum. In the jejunum, this proabsorptive effect is mediated mainly by the reduction of normal active electrolyte secretion, rather than by stimulation of normal active electrolyte absorption. These results support the hypothesis that part of the antidiarrhoeal action of octreotide is due to its effects on active electrolyte transport mechanisms by normal epithelial cells of the small intestine.     

Chitosans as nasal absorption enhancers of peptides: comparison between free amine chitosans and soluble salts

A total of three free amine chitosans (CS J, CS L and CS H) and two soluble chitosan salts (CS G and CS HCl) were evaluated for their efficacy and safety as nasal absorption enhancers of peptides based on in situ nasal perfusion and subacute histological evaluation in rat. At 0.5% w/v, all chitosans were effective in enhancing the nasal absorption of [D-Arg(2)]-Kyotorphin, an enzymatically stable opioid dipeptide. The enhancing effect of the free amine chitosans increased as the pH was decreased from 6.0 to 4.0 (P<0.05). However, the pH effect was not significant for the two chitosan salts (P0.05), suggesting that their adjuvant activity may be less pH-dependent than the free amine form. CS J and CS G were subsequently selected for further studies. At only 0.02% w/v, their enhancing effect was already significant and comparable to that of 5% w/v hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-beta-CD). Both chitosans at 0.1% caused minimal release of total protein and phosphorus from the rat nasal mucosa, with the values similar to that of 5% HP-beta-CD. At 0. 5% the two chitosans also stimulated smaller release of lactate dehydrogenase, an intracellular enzyme used as marker of nasal membrane damage, than 1.25% dimethyl-beta-cyclodextrin. Morphological evaluation of the rat nasal mucosa following 2-week daily administration indicated that the two chitosans (1.0%) produced only mild to moderate irritation. In conclusion, both the free amine and the acid salt forms of chitosans are effective in enhancing the nasal absorption of [D-Arg(2)]-Kyotorphin and have potential for further studies as a safe and effective nasal absorption enhancer of peptide drugs.     

Mucus models for investigation of intestinal absorption mechanisms. 4. Comparison of mucus models with absorption models in vivo and in situ for prediction of intestinal drug absorption]

Intestinal absorption with an in vitro model using pig intestinal mucus was examined by means of in vivo and in situ experiments in the rat. With 10 compounds of different structure, in vitro, in situ, and in vivo models were tested. The in vitro model in the present form can only simulate the first step of intestinal absorption, namely diffusion through the mucus layer. Indeed, we found that one function of the intestinal mucus can be described being a molecular sieve with a molecular mass (MM) cut off within the range of about 600 to 700 [g/mol]. Absorption of substances with higher molecular mass remains at a low level. With the mucus model prediction of intestinal absorption of hydrophilic substances with MM < 600 to 700 [g/mol] will be possible, if the mass transport in the mucus layer is rate limiting. Independent of polarity, it is also valid for substances of MM > 600 to 700 [g/mol]. Estimation however, is not valid for lipophilic substances and MM < 600 to 700 [g/mol], when mass transport from the mucus to the adjacent compartments is rate limiting. Further optimization of the mucus model for a more extensive application seems possible and reasonable with respect to saving in vivo experiments with animals.     

吸收促进剂对蚓激酶肠道吸收的影响

目的研究蚓激酶(YJM-I)和吸收促进剂合用时在大鼠肠道各段的吸收特点，寻找YJM-I经肠道吸收的最佳位置和考察吸收促进剂对YJM-I在肠道吸收过程中的影响。方法采用体外扩散池法、十二指肠部位直接给药、在体循环灌流及肠段原位结扎等方法对荧光标记的FITC-YJM-I在大鼠肠道的吸收情况进行了研究。结果十二指肠部位给药后的药代动力学和药效学评价结果显示YJM-I药物分子可被大鼠肠道吸收进入血液循环并保持生物学活性，但其绝对生物利用度较低。体外肠黏膜通透性试验及体内肠段吸收试验结果显示部分吸收促进剂表现出良好的促进YJM-I肠道吸收的作用。十二指肠、空肠和回肠段体外肠黏膜通透性均显示了相似的吸收促进剂作用强弱趋势： 1%壳聚糖>1%去氧胆酸钠>1% Na₂EDTA>1%十二烷基硫酸钠>1%辛酸钠>1%泊洛沙姆>1%羟丙基-β-环糊精。而在体内十二指肠部位给药则显示的强弱顺序为： 2.5%去氧胆酸钠>2.5% Na₂EDTA>2.0%壳聚糖>2.5%十二烷基硫酸钠>2.5%辛酸钠>2.5%泊洛沙姆>2.5%羟丙基-β-环糊精。结论吸收促进剂能有效地增加YJM-I肠道吸收程度，其中具有生物黏附作用的壳聚糖有望成为YJM-I肠道吸收的良好促进剂。     

The absorption of beta-adrenoceptor antagonists in rat in-situ small intestine; the effect of lipophilicity

Intestinal absorption characteristics of eleven beta-adrenoceptor antagonists were measured by monitoring their disappearance from in-situ intestinal loops in the anaesthetized rat. All have basic pKa values of around 9.5 (with the exception of sotalol) but show a wide range of lipophilic character (octanol-water log P values from -0.79 to 3.65). The results show two types of absorption behaviour, indicating different mechanisms for 'hydrophilic' and 'lipophilic' beta-adrenoceptor antagonists. The four most hydrophilic molecules (sotalol, atenolol, nadolol and practolol) show virtually identical absorption rate constants. Absorption is slow and relative rates in jejunum (mean pH 6.5) and ileum (mean pH 7.3) are not consistent with pH-partition (jejunum greater than or equal to ileum). The more lipophilic members of the series (pindolol, timolol, metoprolol, oxprenolol, alprenolol and propranolol) are all absorbed much more rapidly. Absorption rate constant rises rapidly with log P and the expected pH effects are seen (ileum greater than jejunum). Acebutolol shows anomalously slow absorption for its log P value.     

Chitosans as Absorption Enhancers for Poorly Absorbable Drugs 2: Mechanism of Absorption Enhancement

Purpose. It has recently been shown that the absorption enhancing and toxic effects of chitosans are dependent on their chemical composition. In this study, the mechanisms underlying these effects were investigated at the cellular level. Methods. The effects on epithelial cells of chitosans with different chemical composition, absorption enhancing properties and toxicities were studied in Caco-2 monolayers. Chitosan C(l:31) has a low degree of acetylation (DA) (1%) and a low m.w. (31 kD), and displays dose-dependent absorption enhancement and cytotoxicity; chitosan C(35:170) has a higher DA (35%) and a higher m.w. (170 kD), is less dose-dependent in absorption enhancement, and is not cytotoxic. A third non-toxic chitosan C(49:22) with a high DA (49%), a low m.w. (22 kD), and no influence on epithelial permeability was used as control. Results. C(l:31) and C(35:170) bound tightly to the epithelium. Cellular uptake of the chitosans was not observed. Both chitosans increased apical but not basolateral cell membrane permeability and induced a redistribution of cytoskeletal F-actin and the tight junction protein ZO-1. This resulted in increased paracellular permeability of hydrophilic marker molecules of different molecular weights. Addition of negatively charged heparin inhibited the cellular and the absorption enhancing effects of the chitosans, indicating that these effects are mediated via their positive charges. The onset of the effects of C(35:170) on apical membrane permeability and tight junction structure was much faster than that of C(l:31). C(49:22) did not influence any of the properties of the Caco-2 cell monolayers studied. Conclusions. The binding and absorption enhancing effects of chitosans on epithelial cells are mediated through their positive charges. The interaction of chitosans with the cell membrane results in a structural reorganisation of tight junction-associated proteins which is followed by enhanced transport through the paracellular pathway.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In Vitro</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">ex Vivo</Emphasis> Intestinal Tissue Models to Measure Mucoadhesion of Poly (Methacrylate) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-Trimethylated Chitosan Polymers

No HeadingPurpose. The adhesion of a range of polymers based on poly(2-(dimethylamino-ethyl) methacrylate (pDMAEMA) was assessed using human mucus-secreting and non mucus-secreting intestinal cell monolayers, HT29-MTX-E12 (E12) and HT29 monolayers, as well as excised non-everted intestinal sacs from rats. Differentiation of mucoadhesion from bioadhesion was achieved by pre-treatment with the mucolytic agent, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). Adherence of pDMAEMA polymers was compared to that obtained with the mucoadhesive, N-trimethylated chitosan (TMC).Methods. The quantity of adherent coumarin 343-conjugated polymers to HT29, E12, and intestinal sacs was measured by fluorescence. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), light microscopy, and fluorescent microscopy were used to provide direct evidence. Measurements of transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), permeability to FITC-dextran 4000 (FD-4), and the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were used to assess potential cytotoxicity of polymers.Results. Adherence of unquaternized and of 10%, 24%, and 32% methyl iodide-quaternized pDMAEMA polymers was measured in E12, HT29, and sacs. All pDMAEMA polymers showed significantly higher levels of adhesion to mucus (mucoadhesion) than to epithelium (bioadhesion). Colocalization of pDMAEMA with mucus was confirmed in E12 by microscopy. TMC showed equally high levels of mucoadhesion as unquaternized and 24% quaternized pDMAEMA, but displayed higher levels of bioadhesion. pDMAEMA-based polymers demonstrated lower levels of adherence to E12 and rat sacs in the presence of NAC, whereas adherence of TMC was unchanged. pDMAEMA significantly decreased the permeability of FD-4 across E12 monolayers and sacs and was less cytotoxic in E12 than in HT29. In contrast, TMC increased the permeability of FD-4 across E12 and sacs and was less cytotoxic in E12 than in HT29.Conclusions. Human mucus–producing E12 monolayers can be used to assess polymer mucoadhesion and give similar data to isolated rat intestinal sacs. pDMAEMA displayed similar levels of mucoadhesion and lower levels of bioadhesion than a chitosan derivative and it was not cytotoxic. pDMAEMA decreased FD-4 flux in the presence of mucus, whereas TMC increased it. The combination of mucus and methacrylate polymers appears to increase barrier function of the apical membrane.     

Intestinal absorption of octreotide: N-trimethyl chitosan chloride (TMC) ameliorates the permeability and absorption properties of the somatostatin analogue in vitro and in vivo

Octreotide acetate is a somatostatin analogue used for the control of endocrine tumors of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and the treatment of acromegaly. The oral absorption of octreotide is limited because of the limited permeation across the intestinal epithelium. Both chitosan hydrochloride and N-trimethyl chitosan chloride (TMC), a quaternized chitosan derivative, are nonabsorbable and nontoxic polymers that have been proven to effectively increase the permeation of hydrophilic macromolecules across mucosal epithelia by opening the tight junctions. This study investigates the intestinal absorption of octreotide when it is coadministered with the polycationic absorption enhancer TMC. Caco-2 cell monolayers were used as an in vitro intestinal epithelium model, and male Wistar rats were used for in vivo studies. Octreotide with or without polymers (TMC; chitosan hydrochloride) was administered intrajejunally in rats, and serum peptide levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. All applications and administrations were performed at neutral pH values (i.e., pH = 7.4). In vitro transport studies with Caco-2 cells revealed an increased permeation of octreotide in the presence of TMC. Enhancement ratios ranged from 34 to 121 with increasing concentrations of the polymer (0.25-1.5%, w/v). In rats, 1.0% (w/v) TMC solution significantly increased the absorption of the peptide analogue, resulting in a 5-fold increase of octreotide bioavailability compared with the controls (octreotide alone). Coadministration of 1.0% (w/v) chitosan hydrochloride did not enhance octreotide bioavailability. These results in combination with the nontoxic character of TMC suggest that this polymer is a promising excipient in the development of solid dosage forms for the peroral delivery and intestinal absorption of octreotide.