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H Lennernäs

Publications and source records attributed to H Lennernäs.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Stability and perfusion studies of Desmopressin (dDAVP) and prodrugs in the rat jejunum.

Three aliphatic carboxylic acid esters of the tyrosine phenolic group in Desmopressin (dDAVP) were investigated in vitro for their stability and metabolism in rat gastrointestinal media. The degradation followed strictly first-order kinetics and the prodrugs were quantitatively converted to dDAVP. The n-hexanoyl (II) and n-octanoyl (III) esters were rapidly hydrolysed in 10% rat jejunal fluid showing half-lives of 1.1+/-0.2 min and 1.4+/-0.1 min, respectively. In 5 % rat jejunal homogenate the half-lives were 3.2+/-0.2 min and <30 sec, respectively. The sterically hindered pivalate ester (I) proved to be more stable. The half-lives were 10.3+/-0.3 min in 10% rat jejunal fluid and 1.5+/-0.1 min in 10% rat jejunal homogenate, respectively. The presence of paraoxon, an inhibitor of type B esterases significantly decreased the degradation rate of the pivalate ester (I) in rat jejunal fluid (t1/2 > 5 hrs) indicating that the prodrug is converted to dDAVP by rapid luminal breakdown of the ester bond. It was shown that approximately 13 % of prodrug I disappeared from the gut lumen during a single-pass perfusion experiment in rat jejunum. Our results indicate that the disappearance from the jejunal lumen was primarily caused by degradation of the prodrug to dDAVP by esterases rather than absorption. The better stability of the sterically hindered prodrug (I) indicate that even more sterically hindered prodrugs will be a better choice for a further optimization of stability and lipophilicity, and consequently a potentially improved intestinal absorption of dDAVP.

Animals↗

Surface activity and concentration dependent intestinal permeability in the rat.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relation between intestinal effective permeability (P(eff)) and surface activity of fluvastatin and verapamil. METHODS: P(eff)-values were determined for fluvastatin, antipyrine and D-glucose following colon perfusions in the rat in situ. The perfusion solitions differed regarding concentrations of fluvastatin (0-2500 microM) and surface tension (58.9-43.7 mN/m). A cellulose derivative, ethyl-(hydroxyethyl) cellulose (EHEC), was added to lower the surface tension of one of the perfusion solutions. The surface tension of perfusion solutions containing R/S-verapamil (8-814 microM) and R/S-verapamil + chlorpromazine (814 microM + 10 mM) were related to the corresponding P(eff)-values from the literature. RESULTS: The P(eff)of fluvastatin correlated inversely (r2 = 0.985, p < 0.05) with the surface tension of the perfusion solutions below the critical micelle concentration (CMC, 1 mM). Decreasing the surface tension with EHEC increased the P(eff) of fluvastatin by 36% (p < 0.001), but not to the extent anticipated from the correlation between the P(eff) and the surface tension. EHEC also increased the P(eff) of antipyrine by 49% (p < 0.01 ) but not for D-glucose. The P(eff) of R/S-verapamil correlated inversely with the surface tension (r2 = 0.980, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The ability of fluvastatin to decrease the surface tension at the membrane surface can partly explain the concentration dependent colonic P(eff) of fluvastatin. This study shows that the surface activity of the drug molecule itself is an important physicochemical factor that should be taken into consideration when evaluating drug absorption studies performed in vitro or in situ.

Animals↗

Jejunal permeability in humans in vivo and rats in situ: investigation of molecular size selectivity and solvent drag.

The mechanisms controlling rates and routes for intestinal absorption of nutrients and small compounds are still not fully clarified. In the present study we aimed to investigate the effect of solvent drag on intestinal permeability of compounds with different molecular sizes in humans and rats. The effective intestinal permeabilities (Peff) of hydrophilic compounds (MW 60-4000) were determined in the single-pass perfused jejunum in humans in vivo and rats in situ under iso- and hypotonic conditions. The transport mechanism(s) of water and the importance of the solvent drag effect were investigated by the use of D2O. This is the first report in humans establishing the relation between in vivo measured jejunal Peff and molecular size for hydrophilic compounds. In addition, in rats we also found a molecular-size selectivity for hydrophilic compounds similar to man. The jejunal Peff of water and urea (MW 60) in both species were several times higher than predicted from their physicochemical properties. In humans, the jejunal absorption of urea and creatinine (MW 113) was increased by solvent drag, while no effect was found for the other investigated compounds. In rats, Peff for urea and creatinine were unaffected. In conclusion, it is still unclear if solvent drag occurs mainly through the para- or transcellular route, although, results from this study further add to our earlier reports suggesting that the transcellular route is most important from a quantitative point of view regardless of physicochemical properties of the transported compounds.

Animals↗

The effect of ketoconazole on the jejunal permeability and CYP3A metabolism of (R/S)-verapamil in humans.

AIMS: The purpose of this human intestinal perfusion study was to investigate the effect of ketoconazole on the jejunal permeability and first-pass metabolism of (R)- and (S)-verapamil in humans. METHODS: A regional single-pass perfusion of the jejunum was performed using a Loc-I-Gut(R) perfusion tube in six healthy volunteers. Each perfusion lasted for 200 min and was divided into two periods of 100 min each. The inlet concentration of (R/S)-verapamil was 120 mg l-1 in both periods, and ketoconazole was added at 40 mg l-1 in period 2. (R/S)-verapamil was also administered as a short intravenous infusion of 5 mg, over a period of 10 min. The appearance ratios of the CYP3A formed metabolites (R)- and (S)-norverapamil were also estimated in the outlet jejunal perfusate. RESULTS: The effective jejunal permeability (Peff) of both (R)- and (S)-verapamil was unaffected by the addition of ketoconazole in period 2 suggesting that ketoconazole had no effect on the P-glycoprotein mediated efflux. However, the appearance ratio of both (R)- and (S)-norverapamil in the outlet jejunal perfusate decreased in the presence of ketoconazole. The rate of absorption into plasma of (R)- and (S)-verapamil increased despite the low dose of ketoconazole added, indicating an inhibition of the gut wall metabolism of (R/S)-verapamil by ketoconazole. CONCLUSIONS: Ketoconazole did not affect the jejunal Peff of (R/S)-verapamil, but it did increase the overall transport into the systemic circulation (bioavailability), probably by inhibition of the gut wall metabolism of verapamil. This might be due to ketoconazole being less potent as an inhibitor of P-glycoprotein than of CYP3A4 in vivo in humans.

Adult↗

Repeated oral rifampicin decreases the jejunal permeability of R/S-verapamil in rats.

The main purpose of this rat study was to investigate the effect of rifampicin on the effective permeability (P(eff)) of R/S-verapamil in the rat jejunum. In addition the effect on metabolism of R/S-verapamil to R/S-norverapamil was examined. In situ single-pass perfusions of the rat jejunum were performed in animals pretreated with oral rifampicin (250 mg/kg/day) or saline (control) over various time periods (1, 4, 7, and 14 days). The jejunal P(eff) of each of the enantiomers of verapamil and D-glucose was estimated. The appearance ratios of the CYP3A-formed metabolites R- and S-norverapamil were also estimated in the outlet jejunal perfusate. The jejunal P(eff) of both R- and S-verapamil decreased as an effect of the oral pretreatment with rifampicin. The appearance of R- and S-norverapamil in the jejunum was also affected by the oral pretreatment with rifampicin, with increasing concentrations of R/S-norverapamil being evident after 14 days of rifampicin pretreatment. There was no stereoselectivity in either the P(eff) of R- and S-verapamil or the metabolic appearance of R- and S-norverapamil. Treatment with oral rifampicin decreased the P(eff) of R/S-verapamil, which is in accordance with an induction of P-glycoprotein activity in the apical enterocyte membrane. The increase in appearance of R/S-norverapamil in jejunum is in accordance with an induction of CYP3A metabolism in the rat.

Algorithms↗

High in situ rat intestinal permeability of artemisinin unaffected by multiple dosing and with no evidence of P-glycoprotein involvement.

The objective of this study was to investigate whether the decrease in artemisinin bioavailability after repeated oral dosing in humans can be a result of increased efflux of artemisinin by P-glycoprotein or decreased membrane transport at the intestinal barrier. The effective jejunal permeability (Peff) of artemisinin was investigated using an in situ rat perfusion model. Fifty-four rats were randomized to one of three treatment arms: no pretreatment, pretreatment with artemisinin emulsion for 5 days (60 mg/kg/day, p.o. ), or pretreatment with emulsion vehicle for 5 days. The rats within each treatment arm were randomized further to be jejunally perfused with either low (500 ng/ml) or high (5000 ng/ml) artemisinin concentration or low artemisinin concentration plus the P-glycoprotein inhibitor R,S-verapamil (400 microg/ml). Perfusate samples were assayed for content of artemisinin, R,S-verapamil, and perfusion viability markers. Artemisinin Peff was 1.44 +/- 0.38, 1. 17 +/- 0.32, and 1.71 +/- 0.29 (.10(-4), cm/s) in rats receiving no pretreatment and perfused with low, high, or low artemisinin concentration plus verapamil, respectively. Multiple oral dosing of artemisinin did not affect the jejunal permeability of artemisinin. R,S-verapamil Peff was similar in artemisinin-pretreated rats (1.09 +/- 0.54. 10(-4), cm/s) and rats pretreated with only vehicle (1.07 +/- 0.37. 10(-4), cm/s). The decrease in artemisinin bioavailability after multiple oral dosing in human is probably not a result of changes in P-glycoprotein expression or general intestinal transport. It seems more likely attributed to increased hepatocellular activity. Furthermore, artemisinin exhibits high jejunal permeability and is neither a substrate nor inducer of P-glycoprotein.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Correlation of human jejunal permeability (in vivo) of drugs with experimentally and theoretically derived parameters. A multivariate data analysis approach.

The effective permeability (Peff) in the human jejunum (in vivo) of 22 structurally diverse compounds was correlated with both experimentally determined lipophilicity values and calculated molecular descriptors. The permeability data were previously obtained by using a regional in vivo perfusion system in the proximal jejunum in humans as part of constructing a biopharmaceutical classification system for oral immediate-release products. pKa, log P, and, where relevant, log Pion values were determined using the pH-metric technique. On the basis of these experiments, log D values were calculated at pH 5.5, 6.5, and 7.4. Multivariate data analysis was used to derive models that correlate passive intestinal permeability to physicochemical descriptors. The best model obtained, based on 13 passively transcellularly absorbed compounds, used the variables HBD (number of hydrogen bond donors), PSA (polar surface area), and either log D5.5 or log D6.5 (octanol/water distribution coefficient at pH 5.5 and 6.5, respectively). Statistically good models for prediciting human in vivo Peff values were also obtained by using only HBD and PSA or HBD, PSA, and CLOGP. These models can be used to predict passive intestinal membrane diffusion in humans for compounds that fit within the defined property space. We used one of the models obtained above to predict the log Peff values for an external validation set consisting of 34 compounds. A good correlation with the absorption data of these compounds was found.

Humans↗

Membrane transport of drugs in different regions of the intestinal tract of the rat.

Regional permeability coefficients of 19 drugs with different physicochemical properties were determined using excised segments from three regions of rat intestine: jejunum, ileum, and colon. The results are discussed in relation to the characteristics of the drug, i.e., MW (range 113-1071 Da), pKa, log D (octanol/water at pH 7.4) (range -3.1 to +2.4), and the regional change in the properties of the epithelial membrane. There was a significant decrease in permeability to hydrophilic drugs and a significant increase in permeability for hydrophobic drugs aborally to the small intestine (P < 0.0001). A good correlation could be obtained between MW and permeability coefficients of hydrophilic drugs. The correlation established between the apparent permeability coefficients and the partition coefficients of the drugs was sigmoidal in shape in all three regions and a log D between 0 and 2.5 predicts high permeability values. These permeability data are unique since they result from a diversity of chemical structures with different physicochemical characteristics and a variety of transport mechanisms and they are not influenced by interlaboratory differences. The large regional permeability database in the present study shows the utility of the Ussing chamber technique as a valuable predictive tool for human in vivo data. In addition, the regional permeability profiles obtained suggest a coupling between drug structure and the functional changes of the membrane, which might be useful for selecting a compound for an extended release formulation.

Animals↗

Human intestinal permeability.

This review focuses on permeability measurements in humans, briefly discussing different perfusion techniques, the relevance of human Peff values, and various aspects of in vivo transport mechanisms. In addition, human Peff values are compared with corresponding data from three preclinical transport models. The regional human jejunal perfusion technique has been validated in several important ways. One of the most important findings is that there is a good correlation between the measured human effective permeability values and the extent of absorption of drugs in humans determined by pharmacokinetic studies. Estimations of the absorption half-lives from the measured Peff agree very well with the time to maximal amount of the dose absorbed achieved after an oral dose in humans. We have also shown that it is possible to determine the Peff for carrier-mediated transported compounds and to classify them according to the proposed biopharmaceutical classification system (BCS). Furthermore, human in vivo permeabilities can be predicted using preclinical permeability models, such as in situ perfusion of rat jejunum, the Caco-2 model, and excised intestinal segments in the Ussing chamber. The permeability of passively transported compounds can be predicted with a particularly high degree of accuracy. However, special care must be taken for drugs with a carrier-mediated transport mechanism, and a scaling factor has to be used. Finally, the data obtained in vivo in humans emphasize the need for more clinical studies investigating the effect of physiological in vivo factors and molecular mechanisms influencing the transport of drugs across the intestinal and as well as other membrane barriers. It will also be important to study the effect of antitransport mechanisms (multidrug resistance, MDR), such as efflux by P-glycoprotein(s) and gut wall metabolism, for example CYP 3A4, on bioavailability.

Animals↗

Jejunal absorption and metabolism of R/S-verapamil in humans.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this human intestinal perfusion study was to investigate the transport and metabolism of R/S-verapamil in the human jejunum (in vivo). METHODS: A regional single-pass perfusion of the jejunum was performed using a Loc-I-Gut perfusion tube in 12 healthy volunteers. Each perfusion lasted for 200 min and was divided into two periods each of 100 min. The inlet concentrations of verapamil were 4.0 and 40 mg/l in period one and two, respectively. RESULTS: The effective jejunal permeability (Peff) of both R- and S-verapamil increased (p < 0.05) when the inlet concentration was increased consistent with saturation of an efflux mechanism. However, both R- and S-verapamil had high intestinal Peff, consistent with complete absorption. The Peff of antipyrine also increased, but there was no difference in the Peff for D-glucose in the two periods. The appearance of R/S-norverapamil in the intestinal perfusate leaving the jejunal segment was non-linear, presumably due to saturation of the CYP3A4 metabolism. CONCLUSIONS: The increased Peff in parallel with increased entering drug concentration is most likely due to saturable efflux by P-glycoprotein(s) in the human intestine.

Adult↗

The effect of a drug-delivery system consisting of soybean phosphatidyl choline and medium-chain monoacylglycerol on the intestinal permeability of hexarelin in the rat.

The aim of this study was to investigate if the effective in-situ permeability (Peff) of a new growth hormone-releasing peptide, hexarelin, along rat intestine was enhanced by a lipid matrix drug-delivery system comprising a mixture of soybean phosphatidyl choline and medium-chain monoacylglycerol (PC-MG). The study was performed with and without a protease inhibitor, Pefabloc SC. To enable better understanding of the mechanism of action of this delivery system we also studied the uptake of a small hydrophilic molecule, atenolol. PC-MG at a concentration of 15 mmol L(-1) increased the jejunal Peff of hexarelin approximately 20-fold, both in the presence and absence of Pefabloc SC, whereas Peff was not increased in the ileum and colon. PC-MG had no effect on the jejunal, ileal and colonic Peff of atenolol. Complete recovery of the non-absorbable molecule PEG 4000 showed that functional intestinal viability was maintained in all experiments. Although the results obtained in this study are promising, pharmacokinetic and toxicological studies are required to investigate if this delivery system is a suitable and safe candidate for improving the oral bioavailability of hexarelin.

Animals↗

Water-soluble beta-cyclodextrins in paediatric oral solutions of spironolactone: preclinical evaluation of spironolactone bioavailability from solutions of beta-cyclodextrin derivatives in rats.

Water-soluble derivatives of beta-cyclodextrin have been considered for solubilization of spironolactone in the formulation of a safe liquid preparation for premature infants. The oral absorption of spironolactone was studied in rats to evaluate the need to adjust spironolactone dosage in prospective clinical studies. Spironolactone was administered in solutions of sulphobutyl ether beta-cyclodextrin (SBE7) or dimethyl-beta-cyclodextrin (DM-beta-CyD) and also as spironolactone-containing powder papers (reference preparation). Spironolactone in SBE7 solution was administered intravenously to assess the extent of intestinal absorption from the different formulations. Spironolactone and the metabolites 7alpha-thiospirolactone, 7alpha-thiomethylspirolactone and canrenone were determined in rat serum after intravenous administration of spironolactone. Half-lives for spironolactone, 7alpha-thiomethylspirolactone and canrenone were 0.72 +/- 0.17, 1.5 +/- 0.3 and 2.2 +/- 0.3 h, respectively. Although, according to Cmax values, 7alpha-thiomethylspirolactone was the major serum metabolite in rats, higher AUC (area under the serum concentration-time curve) values were obtained for canrenone. After oral administration of spironolactone the bioavailabilities evaluated from the AUC values of 7alpha-thiomethylspirolactone were 27.5 +/- 9.3%, 81.3 +/- 28.8% and 82.8 +/- 28.6% for powder papers, DM-beta-CyD and SBE7 solutions, respectively. The oral absorption of spironolactone by rats was better after administration of spironolactone in SBE7 and DM-beta-CyD solutions than after administration as powder papers. Both cyclodextrin formulations enhanced spironolactone bioavailability to a similar extent despite some deacetylation of spironolactone in the presence of SBE7. A reduction of spironolactone dosage would be recommended during clinical studies with premature infants. These results indicate that SBE7 could be a safe and suitable excipient for the solubilization of spironolactone in paediatric formulations.

Animals↗

The absence of stereoselective P-glycoprotein-mediated transport of R/S-verapamil across the rat jejunum.

We have studied the potential stereoselective transport and metabolism of R/S-verapamil in rat jejunum, in-situ. A regional single-pass perfusion of the rat jejunum was performed on 24 rats in six separate groups. The effective permeability (Peff) was assessed for three different concentrations of verapamil, 4, 40 and 400 mg L(-1). The Peff of each enantiomer was also determined at 400 mg L(-1) when chlorpromazine (10 mM) was added to the perfusion solution. Two other groups of rats received R/S-verapamil as an intravenous infusion and the intestinal secretion and metabolism were studied by simultaneously perfusing the jejunum with a control or with chlorpromazine (10 mM) added. The concentrations in the outlet perfusate of each enantiomer of verapamil and norverapamil were assayed with HPLC. R/S-Verapamil is a high permeability drug in the proximal rat small intestine throughout the luminal concentration range studied and complete intestinal absorption was expected. There was an increase of Peff from 0.42 x 10(-4) cm s(-1) to 0.80 x 10(-4) cm s(-1) (P < 0.05) at concentrations from 4 to 400 mg L(-1), respectively. The observed concentration-dependent jejunal Peff and fraction absorbed (P < 0.05) of R/S-verapamil is consistent with the saturation of an efflux mechanism. When chlorpromazine (a P-glycoprotein inhibitor/substrate) was added the jejunal Peff increased to 1.47 x 10(-4) cm s(-1). There was no difference between the Peff of the two enantiomers in any of these experiments. The efflux of R/S-norverapamil into the rat jejunum was high after intravenous administration of R/S-verapamil, suggesting extensive metabolism in the enterocyte. In conclusion, both R/S-verapamil enantiomers are P-glycoprotein substrates, but there is no stereoselective transport of R/S-verapamil in the rat jejunum. The results also suggests that R/S-norverapamil is formed inside the enterocytes.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Concentration- and region-dependent intestinal permeability of fluvastatin in the rat.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanisms of transport of fluvastatin across the intestinal mucosa in various regions of the intestine in the rat. In-situ single-pass perfusions of the jejunum, ileum and colon were performed and the effective permeability (Peff) of fluvastatin, antipyrine and D-glucose were assessed in each region, at three different perfusate fluvastatin concentrations (1.6, 16 and 160 microM). The effect of lovastatin acid on the bi-directional transport of fluvastatin across the ileal mucosa was also studied. The Peff of fluvastatin was found to be dependent both on the intestinal region and on the concentration in the intestinal lumen (P < 0.001). Fluvastatin had the lowest Peff (0.55 +/- 0.10 x 10(-4) cm s(-1)) in the jejunum at 1.6 microM, and the highest Peff (1.0 +/- 0.16 x 10(-4) cm s(-1)) in the colon at 160 microM. The highest concentration of fluvastatin increased the average absorption of water from the intestine by 209% (P < 0.05), and the average Peff of D-glucose by 29% (P < 0.05). The presence of excess lovastatin acid (100 microM, compared with fluvastatin 1.6 microM) at the luminal side increased the average absorption of water by 218% (P < 0.001), and the Peff of fluvastatin in the ileum and the colon by 44 and 50%, respectively (P < 0.05). The presence of lovastatin acid on the luminal side in the ileum also increased the blood-to-lumen transport (exsorption) of fluvastatin by 43% (P < 0.001). The increased intestinal absorption of fluvastatin at higher concentrations does not suggest that substantial absorption occurs by any carrier-mediated process in the absorptive direction. The increased bi-directional transport when lovastatin acid was added to the lumen suggests that fluvastatin is not a P-glycoprotein substrate. Instead, the concentration-dependent increase in the absorption of fluvastatin, water and D-glucose suggests a direct effect of fluvastatin on the transcellular passive transport.

Animals↗

Characterization of fluids from the stomach and proximal jejunum in men and women.

PURPOSE: To chemically characterize the fluids available for drug dissolution in the upper gastrointestinal tract during the fasted state in humans, and to examine variations and potential gender differences regarding the physico-chemical properties of these fluids. METHODS: Twenty-four healthy volunteers, 12 females and 12 males, were intubated, and fluids from the stomach and upper jejunum were collected separately. Bulk pH, osmolality, electrolytes and total concentrations of bile acids and proteins were assessed. To study intraindividual variations, eleven of the individuals were studied on more than one occasion. RESULTS: The stomach and upper jejunal fluids varied significantly in all the measured entities, except the total concentration of proteins. The intraindividual variability was pronounced in some of the individuals, both in the stomach and the upper jejunum. We did not, however, observe any gender differences. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the complex nature of the fluids available for drug dissolution in the stomach and the upper small intestine in humans. The results can be used when designing a more physiological in vitro dissolution media representative for the fasted state. When designing such a medium, we suggest that gender differences not be taken into account.

Adult↗

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.

Adult↗

Rat jejunal permeability and metabolism of mu-selective tetrapeptides in gastrointestinal fluids from humans and rats.

PURPOSE: To study intestinal transport and metabolism of three new mu-selective tetrapeptide enkephalin analogues, LEF537, LEF553 and TAPP. These peptides are stabilized against enzymatic hydrolysis by having a D-amino acid in position 2 and a blocked COOH-terminal. METHODS: We used a single-pass perfusion technique to study the transport of the peptides in rat jejunum. To reduce luminal and/or brush-border metabolism during the perfusion we used protease inhibitors (Pefabloc SC, bestatin and thiorphan). The rate of metabolism was studied by incubations in rat jejunal homogenate, rat jejunal fluid and human gastric and jejunal fluid with and without these inhibitors. RESULTS: The jejunal permeabilities (Peff) of the peptides were 0.43-0.78 x 10(-4) cm/s without inhibitors and 0.09-0.45 x 10(-4) cm/s in presence of the inhibitors. All three peptides were rather rapidly degraded by enzymes in rat jejunal homogenate with half-lives of between 11.9 +/- 0.5 and 31.7 +/- 1.5 min. The addition of inhibitors to the homogenate prolonged the half-lives substantially for LEF553 (167 +/- 35 min) and TAPP (147 +/- 2 min), but only slightly for LEF537 (16.4 +/- 0.5 min). LEF553 and TAPP were both hydrolyzed in rat and human jejunal fluid, while LEF537 was metabolized less in these fluids. When LEF553 and TAPP were incubated with intestinal fluid in the presence of inhibitors, metabolism was almost completely inhibited. There was no metabolism for any of the peptides in human gastric juice. CONCLUSIONS: The replacement of the terminal free carboxylic group with an amide group did not increase the stability of the peptides in jejunal tissue enough to allow successful oral drug delivery.

Amidines↗