Development of an in Vitro Rat Intestine Segmental Perfusion Model to Investigate Permeability and Predict Oral Fraction Absorbed

Feasibility of the Ussing chamber technique for the determination of in vitro jejunal permeability of passively absorbed compounds in different animal species

The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of the Ussing chamber technique for the determination of the jejunal permeability of passively absorbed, high permeability model compounds (acetaminophen and ketoprofen) in different animal species. Additionally, electrophysiological measurements and histological examination of pre- and post-incubation tissue specimens were performed. Apparent permeability coefficients of turkey and dog jejunum were low and highly variable due to tissue fragility caused by differences in thickness of the remaining intestinal layers after stripping and resulting in severe damage. Pig and horse jejunum were markedly more suitable for permeability determinations and mild signs of deterioration were noticed after 120 min of incubation. Transepithelial electrical resistance and potential difference did not correlate well with the observed tissue damage. From these data, the Ussing chamber technique appears to allow for permeability measurements within a species, but seems unsuitable for interspecies permeability comparison. However, further validation of the method with low permeability compounds and actively transported compounds is needed.

Vascular perfused segments of human intestine as a tool for drug absorption

Blood-based vascular perfusion of isolated segments of human jejunum was developed as a tool for drug absorption studies before clinical trials. Acceptance criteria for viable human gut preparations included stable blood flow, arterial pressure, glucose utilization, active peristalsis, oxygen uptake, less than 3% absorption of a 70,000 mol. wt. dextran, and a ratio of first-order absorption rate constants (k(a)) of antipyrine to terbutaline of > or =1.4. Mannitol absorption was less than that of antipyrine but larger than that of terbutaline and could not be used as a negative control in absorption studies with human intestine. In separate perfusions (n = 3) a cassette of nine drugs was administered into the gut lumen, and the net absorption of each drug into the circulation was measured over 75 min. Using the mean values of k(a), the test compounds could be ranked into four groups: group 1: sulfasalazine and furosemide, k(a) = 3.9 to 4.0 x 10(-3) min(-1); group 2: cimetidine, timolol, nadolol, and ranitidine, k(a) = 6.4 to 8.3 x 10(-3) min(-1); group 3: atenolol and metoprolol, k(a) = 9.6 x 10(-3) min(-1); and group 4: theophylline, k(a) = 17.5 x 10(-3) min(-1). The rationale for evaluating yet another oral absorption system was as follows: first, a human gut segment with an intact vascular system is the closest system available to a clinical trial without performing one; and second, the data generated would be a direct measure of net drug transport from the gut lumen into the vascular circulation under near physiological conditions, which is not possible in models lacking a blood supply.