[Mucus models for investigation of intestinal absorption mechanisms. 3. A mathematical simulation model of drug diffusion through enteral mucus].
The diffusion of drug substance in a closed three-compartment model through a mucus layer to equilibrium is simulated by available pharmacokinetic programs. The obtained curves conform very well to the values experimentally found. If mucus is replaced by buffer solution an explicit equation from the literature, the method used and the experimental findings give the same results. Examination of the rate constants k1 for the diffusion in, kD through and k2 from the mucus shows the significance of the relation k1/k2 > 1, = 1, < 1 as a measure for the affinity of the active agent to the mucus. The discussion of the kinetic parameters shows, as in previous results, no criterion for assuming specific mucus binding. Because of its unspecifity the usual term "mucus binding" should be replaced by "mucus retention".