Gastrointestinal transit and mucoadhesive characteristics of complexation hydrogels in rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the gastrointestinal (GI) transit and mucoadhesive properties of complexation hydrogels, poly(methacrylic acid-grafted-ethylene glycol). The fluorescent labeled complexation hydrogels containing different molar ratios of methacrylic acid/ethylene glycol and different particle diameters were synthesized by free radical solution polymerization. The GI transit profiles of microparticles after oral administration to rats were evaluated by determining the polymer remaining in the stomach and the small intestine. Moreover, the mucoadhesion to the duodenal mucosa was evaluated by an in situ perfusion method. The ethylene glycol content and particle size of the hydrogels influenced significantly the GI transit and mucoadhesive capacities. The microparticles composed of polymers prepared from 1:1 ratio of methacrylic acid/ethylene glycol and having diameters of <53 microm showed the strongest mucoadhesive capacity. These findings indicated that the hydrogels may be a promising tool for improving oral bioavailability of various drugs, which are poorly absorbed from the GI tract.