Effect of erythromycin on the absorption of fexofenadine in the jejunum, ileum and colon determined using local intubation in healthy volunteers

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the in vivo intestinal absorption mechanism(s) and systemic availability of fexofenadine in the jejunum, ileum and colon in humans. METHOD: A single dose of fexofenadine hydrochloride (60 mg as solution) was applied under fasting conditions, either alone or directly after a solution of erythromycin lactobionate (corresponding to a dose of 250 mg erythromycin), to the jejunum, ileum and colon in 6 healthy volunteers (3 male and 3 female) using a regional intubation dosing technology (Bioperm AB, Lund, Sweden). A total of 36 fexofenadine administrations were performed. The administration of fexofenadine to the specified location either alone or in combination with erythromycin was conducted in a randomized manner on 2 consecutive days with a 5-day washout period between doses. RESULTS: The plasma AUC for fexofenadine (mean +/- SEM) was higher (2.7-to 2.3-fold, p < 0.001) after application to the jejunum (1090 +/- 134 h x ng/ml) than to the ileum (404 +/- 102 h x ng/ml) or colon (476 +/- 212 h x ng/ml). No significant differences were found between application to the ileum and colon. The administration of erythromycin affected the absorption rate after jejunal application with a prolonged tmax from a median of 40 min (range 10-90 min) to a median of 3 hours (range 10-180 min) (p = 0.009). A change in tmax was not observed with application to the ileum and colon. The concomitant administration of erythromycin in the jejunum tended to increase the plasma AUC of fexofenadine from 1090 +/- 134 to 1750 +/- 305 h x ng/ml (p = 0.069). CONCLUSIONS: The systemic availability of fexofenadine was significantly higher after jejunal administration in accordance with a low permeability compound. The effects of erythromycin suggest that absorption of fexofenadine involves an uptake transport in addition to passive diffusion in the jejunum and predominantly passive diffusion in the ileum and colon.     

In situ intestinal absorption studies on low molecular weight heparin in rats using labrasol as absorption enhancer

Oral absorption of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is limited by its molecular size and negative charge. Development of its oral formulations would allow outpatient treatment with LMWH and decrease the hospital expenses. Studies were aimed at evaluating Labrasol for improving intestinal absorption of LMWH. Formulations containing LMWH and Labrasol were administered to duodenum, jejunum, and ileum of the fasted rats. The doses of LMWH and Labrasol were 200 IU/kg and 50 mg/kg, respectively. Reversibility of absorption enhancing effect of Labrasol was assessed by administering LMWH to jejunum after 0.5 and 1 h of administration of Labrasol. The effect of different doses of Labrasol on LMWH absorption was studied by administering Labrasol at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg doses. Administration of LMWH formulation tojejunum resulted in the highest plasma anti-Xa activity (0.50+/-0.03 IU/ml) compared to duodenum (0.19+/-0.03 IU/ml), and ileum (0.29 +/-0.06 IU/ml) and the anti-Xa levels were maintained above the therapeutic level for about 160 min. The absorption of LMWH was negligible when LMWH was administered at 0.5 and 1 h post-Labrasol administration. Increasing the dose of Labrasol has decreased the absorption of LMWH from jejunum. Labrasol increased the intestinal absorption of LMWH, and jejunum was found to be the best site of absorption. Intestinal membrane permeability changes induced by Labrasol were transient and reversible. Maintaining high drug concentration gradient across intestinal wall is important to obtain increased intestinal LMWH absorption.     

Absorption of valproic acid from the gastrointestinal tract of the piglet.

Valproic acid is a commonly used drug for the treatment of epilepsy. Since valproic acid can only be given orally, its absorption from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract especially in patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) and in neonates is important. The specific sites of absorption for valproic acid in the small intestine and colon have not been investigated. It is currently unknown whether these patients are able to absorb oral valproic acid sufficiently to maintain a therapeutic serum concentration. The primary objectives of the study were to: (a) determine the relative absorption of valproic acid from specific sites in the GI tract; and (b) investigate the influence of intestinal development on valproic acid absorption using the newborn piglet as a model. Two groups were studied: Group I included 5 piglets 18-21 days of age, and Group II included 5 piglets 1-3 days of age. A valproic acid solution was simultaneously perfused through 5 partitioned segments of the gastrointestinal tract: the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, right colon and left colon. Tritiated [3H] polyethylene glycol was co-administered to monitor water movement across the GI mucosa. Following steady state, samples were collected from each segment, and analyzed by a specific enzyme-mediated immunoassay. The absorption rates (micrograms/min/cm) of valproic acid in Group I were as follows: 9.96 +/- 2.8 duodenum; 11.28 +/- 2.79, jejunum; 9.42 +/- 3.34, ileum; 10.88 +/- 3.35, right colon; 10.96 +/- 2.92, left colon.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Regional difference in P-glycoprotein function in rat intestine

It has been reported that inhibition of the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) results in the improved absorption of P-gp substrate in the intestinal tract. In fact, the increased permeability of P-gp substrate across the intestinal epithelium was observed following inhibition of P-gp in in vitro experiments. To develop the formulation containing P-gp inhibitor and P-gp substrate for practical use, it is necessary to know whether the results obtained in the in vitro experiments are reproducible at whole body level. It is also important to find out the regional difference of the P-gp activity in the intestinal tract. In this study, we examined whether verapamil, a specific inhibitor of P-gp, improves the absorption of rhodamine123 (Rho123), a substrate of P-gp, from the jejunum, ileum, and colon of rats using the in situ loop method. The water content in the loop decreased during the experiment, resulting in a significant change of the Rho123 concentration in the loop. Thus, to accurately determine the absorption rate of Rho123, it was necessary to measure the water movement. It was found that there was a regional difference in the water movement, i.e., greatest in colon, followed by ileum. Verapamil did not change the water movement in any intestinal regions. When the concentration of Rho123 in the loop was corrected by water movement, the Rho123 clearance was in the order of ileum (1.15 microL/min/cm), colon (0.83 microL/min/cm) and jejunum (0.47 microL/min/cm). In the presence of verapamil, the Rho123 clearance was significantly increased at jejunum and ileum but not in colon (ileum: 2.08 microL/min/cm, colon: 1.14 microL/min/cm, jejunum: 1.28 microL/min/cm). These results suggest that P-gp inhibits the drug absorption in jejunum and ileum. From these results, it is possible to evaluate the role of P-gp and its regional difference in the in situ experiments. In particular, the inhibition of P-gp results in an increase in absorption of the P-gp substrate limited to jejunum and ileum.     

Effects of capsaicin on intestinal cephalexin absorption in rats

The effects of capsaicin on intestinal cephalexin absorption were investigated by means of in situ single pass perfusion in rats to clarify whether this pungent compound present in spice is a potential factor altering the intestinal drug absorption processes. Under the control condition, cephalexin was absorbed at a rate of 1.16+/-0.08 and 0.90+/-0.06 nmol/min/cm in the jejunum and ileum, respectively. The intestinal cephalexin absorption rate was decreased when capsaicin was dissolved in the perfusate at a concentration of 400 microM, being 0.54+/-0.07 and 0.46+/-0.10 nmol/min/cm in the jejunum and ileum, respectively. The inhibitive effect of capsaicin on intestinal cephalexin absorption was diminished when ruthenium red, a non-selective inhibitor of the transient receptor potential (TRP) cation channels, was intravenously infused into the rat during the experiment. Moreover, when we evaluated the paracellular permeability of cephalexin by utilizing a competitive inhibitor, glycylsarcosine, it was demonstrated that glycylsarcosine-insensitive intestinal cephalexin absorption in the jejunum was increased by 4.5 times in the presence of 400 microM capsaicin. These findings indicate that capsaicin affects both transcellular and paracellular pathways of intestinal cephalexin absorption by interacting with the TRP cation channels in intestinal tissues, in which capsaicin seems to change the transport activity of H+/peptide co-transporter 1 (PEPT1), and to a lesser degree, it seems to alter the paracellular permeability of the intestinal epithelia.     

利巴韦林大鼠肠吸收动力学

目的研究利巴韦林在大鼠各肠段的吸收动力学特征。方法应用大鼠在体灌流肠吸收实验考察其吸收动力学 ;采用HPLC法测定利巴韦林在大鼠体内肠吸收回流液中的药物浓度 ;采用UV法测定回流液中酚红浓度的变化。结果利巴韦林在小肠中上部吸收较好 ,吸收速率按十二指肠、空肠、回肠、结肠依次下降 ,吸收速率常数依次为 0 0 970 0、0 0 15 0 0、0 0 0 110、0 0 0 0 0 5h-1;回流液中吸收药物的量与利巴韦林的浓度成正比。结论利巴韦林在肠道的吸收呈一级吸收动力学特征 ,吸收机制为被动吸收 ;主要吸收部位为十二指肠和小肠上部 ,结肠几乎无吸收 ;提示该药适合制成日服 2次的缓释制剂     

Regional intestinal absorption and biliary excretion of fluvastatin in the rat: possible involvement of mrp2

The first purpose of this study was to investigate the in vivo absorption, biliary secretion, and first-pass effect of fluvastatin following regional intestinal dosing in the rat. We also examined the membrane transport mechanisms and made in silico predictions of the relative importance of various intestinal regions to the human absorption of fluvastatin. Fluvastatin was administered intravenously (2, 10, and 20 micromol/kg) and into the duodenum (1.46, 2.92, 7.32, and 14.6 micromol/kg), jejunum (14.6 micromol/kg), ileum (1.46 and 14.6 mciromol/kg), and colon (1.46 and 14.6 micromol/kg) as a solution to conscious rats. In a separate group of rats, bile was collected after an i.v. dose of fluvastatin (2 micromol/kg). In the Caco-2 model the bidirectional transport of fluvastatin (16 microM) was investigated with and without various efflux inhibitors (verapamil, vinblastine, probenecid, and indomethacin, 160 microM). The human in vivo absorption of fluvastatin from an oral immediate release tablet and that from an oral extended release tablet (both 40 mg) were simulated in GastroPlus. Neither the dose nor the intestinal region influenced the bioavailability of fluvastatin significantly. The rate of absorption was, however, affected by both the dose and the site of administration; duodenum = jejunum > colon > ileum, and higher following the high dose. Increasing the i.v. dose from 2 to 20 micromol/kg decreased the clearance (26 +/- 3 to 12 +/- 1 mL/min/kg), the hepatic extraction (66 +/- 8 to 30 +/- 2%), and the volume of distribution (7.3 +/- 0.3 to 2.1 +/- 0.7 L/kg) for fluvastatin (p < 0.05). Neither bile cannulation nor bile sampling affected the pharmacokinetics. Fluvastatin was secreted into the bile, probably by active transport. The in vitro permeability for fluvastatin was high (>10 x 10(-6) cm/s). Indomethacin, but not the other inhibitors, affected the transport in both directions suggesting mrp2 to be involved. In silico, 93% of the dose was absorbed from the small intestine and 6% from the colon when given as an immediate release formulation. The corresponding values for an extended release formulation were 21% and 74%, respectively. In conclusion, fluvastatin exhibits dose-dependent pharmacokinetics in the rat. The rate of absorption (Cmax, Tmax, and Cmax/AUC(lqc)) from the intestinal tract is both region and dose-dependent in the rat. This may be due to the involvement of mrp2 in the intestine and/or in the liver. These absorption properties have to be considered in the development of an extended release formulation of fluvastatin.     

Determination of site of absorption of propranolol in rat gut using in situ single-pass intestinal perfusion

Previously, permeability and site of intestinal absorption of propranolol have been reported using the Ussing chamber. In the present study, the utility of Single-Pass Intestinal Perfusion to study permeability and site of intestinal absorption of propranolol was evaluated in rats. Drug permeability in different regions of rat intestine viz. duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon was measured. Propranolol (30 μg/ml) solution was perfused in situ in each intestinal segment of rats. Effective permeability (Peff) of propranolol in each segment was calculated and site of absorption was determined. The Peff of propranolol in rat duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon was calculated to be 0.3316×10(-4) cm/s, 0.4035×10(-4)cm/s, 0.5092×10(-4) cm/s and 0.7167×10(-4) cm/s, respectively. The above results suggest that permeability of propranolol was highest through colon compared to other intestinal sites, which is in close agreement to that reported previously. In conclusion, in situ single pass intestinal perfusion can be used effectively to study intestinal permeability as well as site of intestinal absorption of compounds in rats.     

Permeability dominates in vivo intestinal absorption of P-gp substrate with high solubility and high permeability

Three purposes are presented in this study: (1) to study the in vivo regional dependent intestinal absorption of a P-gp substrate with high solubility and high permeability, (2) to study the gene expression difference in the various regions of the intestine, and (3) to study the contributions of P-gp or any other transporters for the absorption of a P-gp substrate. The in vivo permeability of verapamil and propranolol were determined by single-pass in situ intestinal perfusion in rat. The gene expression profiles were measured using Affymetrix GeneChip. Correlation analysis between drug in vivo permeability and expression of 3500 genes was performed with nonparametric bootstrap and ANOVA analysis. The permeability of verapamil and propranolol did not demonstrate regional dependency even though significant differences in gene expression were observed in various regions of the intestine. Verapamil permeability significantly correlates with propranolol permeability in both jejunum and ileum, but did not correlate with the permeability of other hydrophilic compounds (valacyclovir, acyclovir, and phenylalanine). Four different regions (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon) showed distinct gene expression patterns with more than 70-499 genes showing at least 5-fold expression differences. Interestingly, P-gp expression is gradually increased by 6-fold from the duodenum to colon. Despite the distinct gene expression patterns in the various regions of the intestine, verapamil permeability did not correlate with any gene expression from 3500 expressed genes in the intestine. A 2-6-fold P-gp expression difference did not seem to associate verapamil permeability in the various intestinal regions in vivo. These data suggest that P-gp plays a minimal role in the in vivo intestinal absorption process of verapamil with high water solubility and high membrane permeability. The intestinal absorption of verapamil in vivo is primarily dominated by its high permeability. However, it is important to note that the findings in this paper do not undermine the importance of P-gp in oral drug bioavailability, drug disposition from the liver, drug efflux from the blood-brain barrier, and drug-drug interaction.     

吗替麦考酚酯大鼠在体肠吸收动力学研究

目的:研究吗替麦考酚酯(MMF)、麦考酚酸(MPA)在大鼠肠道的吸收特性。方法:采用大鼠在体肠吸收实验模型,考察不同药物浓度、不同肠段、不同pH对MMF、MPA肠吸收特性的影响。结果:MMF在十二指肠、空肠、回肠、结肠的吸收速率常数分别为0.0176,0.0219,0.0311,0.0333 h-1,统计结果显示,不同肠段间吸收有明显差异(P<0.05);在pH 5.4～7.4范围内,药物吸收不受pH影响;65,135,200,300μg·mL-1不同浓度MMF的吸收速率常数分别为0.0964,0.1325,0.1655,0.1222h-1,而不同浓度MPA的吸收速率常数基本不变(P>0.05)。结论:MMF在整个肠段均有吸收,剂型设计时可考虑缓控释制剂。     

In vitro release and intestinal absorption of physostigmine salicylate from submicron emulsions

The in vitro release of physostigmine salicylate (PS) from a submicron emulsion and an aqueous solution was studied using the dialysis bag method. These formulations were then perfused to various locations along the rat small intestine (proximal, mid, and distal jejunum), and two lengths (10 and 55 cm). The disappearance of PS from the luminal compartment and its appearance in the blood compartment was monitored. In the in vitro drug release from emulsion experiments, a biphasic appearance of PS in the sink solution was observed, suggesting a possible sustained release from the emulsion. However, absorption data from perfusion studies did not correlate with this in vitro observation. No significant difference was found in absorption from emulsion versus solution in the mid jejunum where PS absorption was maximal. The difference between the two liquid formulations was observed only in those intestinal segments where the absorption was relatively low [absorption rate values of 4.6 +/- 0.86 and 9.98 +/- 2.04 (log%/min) x 10(-3) in the proximal and distal parts of the small intestine, respectively, as compared with 14.0 +/- 1.2-14.8 +/- 1.1 (log%/min) x 10(-3) in the mid jejunum]. In the distal part of the rat small intestine, PS was absorbed significantly better from solution than from the submicron emulsion. Cholinesterase activity in blood samples collected after intestinal perfusion with emulsion or solution revealed lower enzyme activity following emulsion administration.     

丹参素的大鼠在体肠吸收动力学研究

目的 研究丹参提取物中丹参素在小肠的吸收动力学特征。方法 采用大鼠在体肠回流实验,HPLC测定药物浓度,紫外分光光度法测定酚红浓度。结果 不同肠液pH值对丹参素的吸收无影响;丹参素浓度在2-16 μg·mL^-1内其吸收速率常数和最大吸收率均无明显差异;不同小肠部位丹参素的吸收速率大小为：十二指肠〉空肠〉结肠〉回肠。结论 丹参素在肠道吸收呈一级动力学过程,吸收机制为被动扩散,丹参素在结肠、回肠吸收较好。     

3种药物转运体抑制剂对沙奎那韦在大鼠肠道吸收影响的体外试验

目的:体外研究药物转运体P糖蛋白(P-gp)和多药耐药相关蛋白2(Mrp2)特异性抑制剂对沙奎那韦在大鼠肠道吸收的影响。方法:取大鼠用乌拉坦麻醉后,分别取十二指肠、空肠、回肠、结肠各8cm,制备离体肠外翻模型,检测不同肠段在P-gp抑制剂地高辛(10μmol.L-1)和维拉帕米(100μmol.L-1)、Mrp2抑制剂丙磺舒(600μmol.L-1)分别与沙奎那韦(12.5μg.mL-1)的混合Krebs-Ringer缓冲液(K-R液)中孵育5、10、20、30、45、60、90min后对沙奎那韦的累积吸收量;另设含沙奎那韦的K-R液为对照组。结果:沙奎那韦在大鼠十二指肠、空肠、回肠、结肠K-R液中的累积吸收量分别为(7.25±1.23)、(4.96±1.58)、(3.89±0.95)、(5.85±1.21)μg,吸收速率为十二指肠>结肠>空肠>回肠。维拉帕米((10.03±3.56)、(7.52±2.21)、(7.45±1.8)μg)和地高辛((8.76±2.25)、(5.98±1.89)、(6.04±1.92)μg)可显著提高沙奎那韦在结肠、空肠、回肠K-R液中的累积吸收量(P<0.05),对十二指肠无显著影响(P>0.05);丙磺舒对沙奎那韦在各肠段K-R液中的累积吸收量均无显著影响(P>0.05)。结论:P-gp可显著影响沙奎那韦的肠道吸收,Mrp2对沙奎那韦的肠道吸收无影响。     

Intestinal absorption of trichloroethylene in dogs

In order to examine the intestinal absorption of trichloroethylene (TRI), we developed the intestinal circulation system of dogs and administered TRI solution at three concentrations (0.1, 0.25 and 0.5%) to the three parts of the intestinal tract (jejunum, ileum, and colon) of the operated dogs. We measured TRI and its metabolites, free-trichloroethanol, trichloroacetic acid, and conjugated trichloroethanol, in serum or blood, urine, bile and circulating solutions. The absorption rates of TRI from the intestine were 50-70% of the administered volume of TRI 2 hr after administration in all groups, and all parts of intestine readily absorbed TRI. Moreover, there were no significant differences in the absorption rates of TRI and water between the jejunum and ileum, and ileum and colon, respectively. The excretion rates of TRI and its metabolites in urine and bile were very low (0.1-0.4%) compared with the volume of absorbed TRI from the intestine 2 hr after administration in all groups. The high degree of absorption of TRI should be considered when threshold limits for TRI in the drinking water, the surface water, and the ground water are established.     

酒石酸锑钾口服后胃肠道反应及吸收的规律、影响其吸收的因素

本文选用犬不同部位肠瘘给药法,比较肠管不同部位对酒石酸锑钾(以下简称T.E.)刺激敏感性的差异。用犬肠瘘给药测末梢血锑含量及在位肠襻给药测肠襻中残存锑量法,分析肠管不同部位对T.E.的吸收能力,并观察了大白鼠肠腔经酸化后对T.E.吸收的影响。实验结果:肠管不同部位对T.E.刺激的敏感性及吸收能力均有明显的差别。十二指肠及空肠对T.E.刺激敏感,呕泻反应强烈而频繁,但对T.E.的吸收量较多。迴肠下段及结肠对T.E.刺激感受迟钝,反应轻,次数少,仅有排粪(非泻)无呕吐,对T.E.的吸收量亦比肠管上段显著为低。人工降低肠pH,可显著提高肠管对T.E。的吸收量。     

Species-dependent and site-specific intestinal metabolism of ester prodrugs

In order to select a species for drug absorption studies of ester prodrugs and to identify a possible absorption window with low esterase activity and hence increased absorption of the ester prodrug, the esterase activity was investigated in homogenates from various intestinal segments of different species. p-Nitrophenyl acetate and tenofovir disoproxil [bis(POC)-PMPA] were used as substrates for esterases. p-Nitrophenyl acetate is a model substrate for esterase activity, while tenofovir disoproxil (fumarate salt) is an ester prodrug of the potent antiviral nucleoside phosphonate analogue tenofovir. As esterase-mediated degradation during transepithelial transport may be a limiting factor for its oral absorption, targeting the prodrug to a region of the intestine with lower esterase activity may lead to an increase in oral absorption of the prodrug. The results obtained with p-nitrophenyl acetate and tenofovir disoproxil showed both a site-specific (duodenum > or = jejunum > ileum > or = colon) and species-dependent (rat > man > pig) degradation in intestinal homogenates. Degradation of tenofovir disoproxil in homogenates from Caco-2 monolayers (0.016+/-0.003 nmol. s(-1). mg protein(-1)) was low compared to its degradation in homogenates from human ileum (0.177+/-0.052 nmol. s(-1). mg protein(-1)). Rat ileum appears to be a suitable model to evaluate the influence of esterase activity on the oral absorption of the ester prodrug, as the degradation rate for tenofovir disoproxil (0.245+/-0.054 nmol. s(-1). mg protein(-1)) in rat ileum was similar to degradation in human ileum. The results also suggest that colon targeting may be a useful strategy to reduce the esterase-mediated degradation of ester prodrugs, hence resulting in a possible increase in their oral absorption.     

Biopharmaceutics classification and intestinal absorption study of apigenin

The aim of the study was to characterize the biopharmaceutics classification system (BCS) category of apigenin (AP) using intrinsic dissolution rate (IDR) and rat intestinal permeability, and to investigate the intestinal absorption mechanism of AP in rats. In the present investigation, equilibrium solubility and intrinsic dissolution rate (IDR) of AP were estimated in phosphate buffers. Effective intestinal permeability (P(eff)) of AP was determined using single-pass intestinal perfusion (SPIP) technique in four segments (duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon) of rat intestine at three concentrations (10, 50 and 100μg/ml). The aqueous solubility of AP in tested phosphate buffers was very poor with maximum solubility of 2.16μg/ml at pH 7.5. The IDR of AP was very low with a value of 0.006mg/min/cm(2). The minimum and maximum P(eff)s determined by SPIP were 0.198×10(-4) and 0.713×10(-4)cm/s at jejunum and duodenum site, respectively. In addition, the concentration-dependent permeability behavior was observed in the duodenum and jejunum, which suggested that AP was transported by both passive and active carrier-mediated saturable mechanism in these two intestinal segments. However, the observed concentration-independent permeability behavior in ileum and colon indicated primarily passive transport mechanism of absorption of AP in the last two intestinal segments. AP was classified as class II drug of the BCS due to its low solubility and high intestinal permeability. AP could be well absorbed in the whole intestine with the main absorption site at duodenum. The absorption of AP in four intestinal segments exhibited different transport mechanisms.     

Use of the InteliSite® Capsule to Study Ranitidine Absorption from Various Sites Within the Human Intestinal Tract

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent of ranitidine absorption from an externally activated drug-delivery system in two distinct regions of the intestine (jejunum and ileum) in healthy human volunteers. This investigation also was designed to evaluate the utility of the InteliSite ^® capsule for studying regional intestinal drug absorption in humans. Methods. The intestinal absorption of ranitidine from the jejunum and ileum was compared in eight, healthy volunteers in this open-label, two-way crossover study. In two of the eight volunteers, absorption from the colon also was studied. Subjects swallowed the capsule containing ranitidine solution (121 mg) and 100 Ci of ^99mTc-DTPA. The endcap of the capsule contained 20 Ci of ¹¹¹In-DTPA. At the desired intestinal site, the capsule was activated by the application of an external RF magnetic signal (6.78 MHz operating frequency) and the ranitidine solution was released. Blood samples were collected from a forearm vein for 12 hours after capsule activation. Results. The capsule released the ranitidine solution when activated in the jejunum, ileum and colon (visualized by the gamma camera). There was no difference in the extent of ranitidine absorption or ranitidine pharmacokinetics when the capsule was activated in the jejunum or ileum. Conclusions. This study demonstrates the utility of a novel, externally activated drug-delivery system to assess site-specific intestinal drug absorption in humans. Results indicate that use of the InteliSite ^® capsule method to evaluate site-specific intestinal ranitidine absorption in humans yields data similar to that obtained previously by means of oral intubation studies.     

Use of Protease Inhibitors to Improve Calcitonin Absorption from the Small and Large Intestine in Rats

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of protease inhibitors on the absorption of calcitonin from different regions of the intestine in rats. The absorption experiments were investigated by in-situ use of closed intestinal loops in rats and stability of calcitonin was examined in mucosal homogenates and intestinal fluids. The intestinal absorption of calcitonin was evaluated by measurement of its hypocalcaemic effect. No substantial hypocalcaemic response was observed when calcitonin was administered into the jejunum or colon. A slight hypocalcaemic effect was observed after administration of calcitonin into the ileum. Of the co-administered protease inhibitors, bacitracin (20 mM) strongly promoted calcitonin absorption from the jejunum, ileum and colon. A significant hypocalcaemic effect was also obtained after intestinal administration of calcitonin with soybean trypsin inhibitor (10mgmL^?1), camostat mesylate (20mM) or aprotinin (2mgmL^?1). In the stability experiment, bacitracin reduced the degradation of calcitonin in the different intestinal homogenates. Soybean trypsin inhibitor significantly reduced the degradation of calcitonin in the fluids of the small intestine. We also examined the different endopeptidases in gut luminal fluids and the different exopeptidases in gut mucosal homogenates of rats. The ranking order for the total endopeptidase activity of the intestinal fluids was jejunum > ileum > colon. That for total exopeptidase activity of the intestinal mucosa was jejunum > ileum > colon. These results suggest that endo- and exopeptidases might be responsible for the hydrolysis of calcitonin and that protease inhibitors might usefully improve absorption of calcitonin to the systemic circulation from the large intestine.     

尼莫地平大鼠在体肠吸收动力学

目的研究尼莫地平在大鼠各肠段的吸收动力学特征。方法采用大鼠在体肠段灌流实验 ,主要从吸收部位、药物浓度、pH值等 3方面对尼莫地平的肠段吸收特性进行研究。结果尼莫地平在大鼠肠道内无特定吸收部位 ,各肠段吸收速率常数按十二指肠、空肠、结肠、回肠顺序依次下降 ,吸收速率常数分别为 0 0 6 87、0 0 6 2 0、0 0 5 97、0 0 4 89h-1。在 4 8～ 14 3μmol·L-1浓度内药物吸收量与浓度呈线性关系 ;在 pH 5 0～ 7 4内药物吸收不受 pH值影响。 结论尼莫地平在大鼠全肠段均有吸收 ,吸收符合一级动力学特征 ,吸收机制为被动扩散 ,适于制备日服 1次缓释给药系统