The entry of foreign compounds into the thoracic duct lymph of the rat

Predicting lymphatic transport potential using graph transformer based on limited historical data from in vivo studies

The lymphatic system hosts a large number of therapeutic targets that can be used to modulate a wide range of diseases including cancers, autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, infectious diseases and metabolic syndrome; however, drug access to the lymphatic system is often challenging. Over the past decades significant efforts have been made to promote drug transport to the lymphatics through medicinal chemistry approaches, and a number of promising progresses are emerging. Nevertheless, so far it remains difficult to clearly delineate the mechanism of lymphatic drug transport and to map the design criteria for lymphotropic drug molecules, and the attempts to synthesize lymph-directing drug candidates or drug derivatives are largely in an experience-driven, trial and error basis. Furthermore, complex experimental procedures required for the study of lymphatic drug transport have limited data accumulation in the field, and this in turn hampers mechanistic studies and understanding of drug design criteria. Our current study aims to 1) review and summarize published work that assessed lymphatic drug transport by both direct measurement (e.g. determination of drug concentrations in lymph fluid) or indirect measurement (e.g. imaging methods or by comparing the changes of pharmacokinetics profile in the absence and presence of lymphatic transport blocker); 2) to analyze lymphatic drug transport data of 185 drugs according to experimental models and conditions, followed by dataset regrouping according to the extent of lymphatic transport; 3) to establish different Artificial Intelligence (AI) models including Graph Convolutional Network (GCN), Graph Attention Network (GAT) and Graph Transformer (GT) to predict the potential of drug transport via the lymphatics following oral administration, during which process data augmentation approaches were employed to compensate for the limited data. The results demonstrated that our model can enhance data and lymphatic drug transport prediction by correlating in vivo data with the chemical structure of drugs (represented by Simplified Molecular Input Line Entry System, SMILES). Additionally, we analyzed the relationship between the extent of lymphatic transport and a number of physicochemical parameters (including LogP, LogD7.4 and molecular weight) of drugs with reported lymphatic absorption data. The results demonstrate that the capability of lymphatic transport does not appear to be determined by any single parameter alone.

Intestinal Lymphatic Biology, Drug Delivery, and Therapeutics: Current Status and Future Directions

Historically, the intestinal lymphatics were considered passive conduits for fluids, immune cells, dietary lipids, lipid soluble vitamins, and lipophilic drugs. Studies of intestinal lymphatic drug delivery in the late 20th century focused primarily on the drugs' physicochemical properties, especially high lipophilicity, that resulted in intestinal lymphatic transport. More recent discoveries have changed our traditional view by demonstrating that the lymphatics are active, plastic, and tissue-specific players in a range of biological and pathological processes, including within the intestine. These findings have, in turn, inspired exploration of lymph-specific therapies for a range of diseases, as well as the development of more sophisticated strategies to actively deliver drugs or vaccines to the intestinal lymph, including a range of nanotechnologies, lipid prodrugs, and lipid-conjugated materials that "hitchhike" onto lymphatic transport pathways. With the increasing development of novel therapeutics such as biologics, there has been interest in whether these therapeutics are absorbed and transported through intestinal lymph after oral administration. Here we review the current state of understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the gastrointestinal lymphatic system in health and disease, with a focus on aspects relevant to drug delivery. We summarize the current state-of-the-art approaches to deliver drugs and quantify their uptake into the intestinal lymphatic system. Finally, and excitingly, we discuss recent examples of significant pharmacokinetic and therapeutic benefits achieved via intestinal lymphatic drug delivery. We also propose approaches to advance the development and clinical application of intestinal lymphatic delivery strategies in the future. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This comprehensive review details the understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the intestinal lymphatic system in health and disease, with a focus on aspects relevant to drug delivery. It highlights current state-of-the-art approaches to deliver drugs to the intestinal lymphatics and the shift toward the use of these strategies to achieve pharmacokinetic and therapeutic benefits for patients.

Oral administration of tipranavir with long-chain triglyceride results in moderate intestinal lymph targeting but no efficient delivery to HIV-1 reservoir in mesenteric lymph nodes

The introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) led to substantial improvement in mortality and morbidity of HIV-1 infection. However, the poor penetration of antiretroviral agents to HIV-1 reservoirs limit the ability of the antiretroviral agents to eliminate the virus. Mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) are one of the main HIV-1 reservoirs in patients under suppressive cART. Intestinal lymphatic absorption pathway substantially increases the concentration of lipophilic drugs in mesenteric lymph and MLNs when they are co-administered with long-chain triglyceride (LCT). Chylomicrons (CM) play a crucial role in the intestinal lymphatic absorption as they transport drugs to the lymph lacteals rather than blood capillary by forming CM-drug complexes in the enterocytes. Thus, lipophilic antiretroviral drugs could potentially be delivered to HIV-1 reservoirs in MLNs by LCT-based formulation approach. In this study, protease inhibitors (PIs) were initially screened for their potential for intestinal lymphatic targeting using a computational model. The candidates were further assessed for their experimental affinity to CM. Tipranavir (TPV) was the only-candidate with substantial affinity to both artificial and natural CM in vitro and ex vivo. Pharmacokinetics and biodistribution studies were then performed to evaluate the oral bioavailability and intestinal lymphatic targeting of TPV in rats. The results showed similar oral bioavailability of TPV with and without co-administration of LCT vehicle. Although LCT-based formulation led to 3-fold higher concentrations of TPV in mesenteric lymph compared to plasma, the levels of the drug in MLNs were similar to plasma in both LCT-based and lipid-free formulation groups. Thus, LCT-based formulation approach alone was not sufficient for effective delivery of TPV to MLNs. Future efforts should be directed to a combined highly lipophilic prodrugs/lipid-based formulation approach to target TPV, other PIs and potentially other classes of antiretroviral agents to viral reservoirs within the mesenteric lymphatic system.

Lymphatic Transport of Drugs after Intestinal Absorption: Impact of Drug Formulation and Physicochemical Properties

PURPOSE

To provide a comprehensive and up-to-date overview focusing on the extent of lymphatic transport of drugs following intestinal absorption and to summarize available data on the impact of molecular weight, lipophilicity, formulation and prandial state.

METHODS

Literature was searched for in vivo studies quantifying extent of lymphatic transport of drugs after enteral dosing. Pharmacokinetic data were extracted and summarized. Influence of molecular weight, log P, formulation and prandial state was analyzed using relative bioavailability via lymph (F_RL) as the parameter for comparison. The methods and animal models used in the studies were also summarized.

RESULTS

Pharmacokinetic data on lymphatic transport were available for 103 drugs. Significantly higher F_RL [median (IQR)] was observed in advanced lipid based formulations [54.4% (52.0)] and oil solutions [38.9% (60.8)] compared to simple formulations [2.0% (27.1)], p < 0.0001 and p = 0.004, respectively. Advanced lipid based formulations also provided substantial F_RL in drugs with log P < 5, which was not observed in simple formulations and oil solutions. No relation was found between F_RL and molecular weight. There were 10 distinct methods used for in vivo testing of lymphatic transport after intestinal absorption so far.

CONCLUSION

Advanced lipid based formulations provide superior ability to increase lymphatic absorption in drugs of various molecular weights and in drugs with moderate to low lipophilicity.

1 Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Stearyl Alcohol, Oleyl Alcohol, and Octyl Dodecanol

Stearyl Alcohol, Oleyl Alcohol, and Octyl Dodecanol are long-chain saturated or unsaturated (Oleyl) fatty alcohols. They are used in numerous cosmetic product categories at concentrations of less than 0.1 percent to greater than 50 percent.

The metabolism of Stearyl Alcohol and Oleyl Alcohol in rats is described. The results of acute oral toxicity studies indicate a very low order of toxicity. In rabbit irritation tests, these alcohols produced minimal ocular irritation and minimal to mild cutaneous irritation. Stearyl Alcohol produced no evidence of contact sensitization or comedogenicity.

Clinical patch testing indicates a very low order of skin irritation potential and sensitization. Photoreactivity studies on products containing these ingredients were negative for phototoxicity or photosensitization.

Based on the available data, it is concluded that Stearyl Alcohol, Oleyl Alcohol, and Octyl Dodecanol are safe as currently used in cosmetics.

Modification of intestinal absorption of drugs by lipoidal adjuvants

The use of various lipids for the modification of intestinal absorption of lipophilic, hydrophilic, or macromolecular drugs is reviewed. The influence of lipids on drug absorption varies with the structure and physical state of incorporated lipids. The mechanisms of drug absorption across the intestine, that involve lipids in the state of emulsions, liposomes, and micelles, are discussed. The use of fusogenic lipids in the micellar state can be most effective in enabling the absorption of poorly absorbed drugs, such as antibiotics and macromolecules. Moreover, within the gastrointestinal tract their promoting ability is greatest in the colorectal region. Fusogenic lipids are also useful for selective lymphatic delivery of drugs with a macromolecular carrier.

Bile salts and their importance for drug absorption

Bile salts are present in the intestines of humans as well as the animals used during the development of pharmaceutical products. This review provides a short introduction into the physical chemical properties of bile salts, a description of the bile concentration and composition of bile in different animal species and an overview of the literature investigating the influence of bile salts on the in vivo performance of different compounds and drug formulations. Generally, there is a positive effect on bioavailability when bile is present in the gastro-intestinal tract, independent of the formulation systems, e.g. suspensions, solutions, cyclodextrin complexes or lipid based formulations, but a few exceptions have also been reported.

Intestinal lymphatic transport for drug delivery

Intestinal lymphatic transport has been shown to be an absorptive pathway following oral administration of lipids and an increasing number of lipophilic drugs, which once absorbed, diffuse across the intestinal enterocyte and while in transit associate with secretable enterocyte lipoproteins. The chylomicron-associated drug is then secreted from the enterocyte into the lymphatic circulation, rather than the portal circulation, thus avoiding the metabolically-active liver, but still ultimately returning to the systemic circulation. Because of this parallel and potentially alternative absorptive pathway, first-pass metabolism can be reduced while increasing lymphatic drug exposure, which opens the potential for novel therapeutic modalities and allows the implementation of lipid-based drug delivery systems. This review discusses the physiological features of the lymphatics, enterocyte uptake and metabolism, links between drug transport and lipid digestion/re-acylation, experimental model (in vivo, in vitro, and in silico) of lymphatic transport, and the design of lipid- or prodrug-based drug delivery systems for enhancing lymphatic drug transport.

Effect of Oily Vehicles on Absorption of Mepitiostane by the Lymphatic System in Rats

[14C]Mepitiostane in various vehicles was administered to the small intestine of anaesthetized rats with cannulated thoracic ducts, and the effect of lipids on lymphatic absorption was examined. The extent of lymphatic absorption was greatest when administered in triolein and sesame oil, which are triglycerides of long-chain fatty acids. Absorption in the presence of other vehicles was in the order of 10% Tween 80 aqueous solution &gt; monolein &gt; oleic acid ∼ oleic acid/monolein (2:1 mol/mol) &gt; aqueous suspension. Differences between the extents of lymphatic absorption of mepitiostane in the various formulations were not due to variation in the lymph flow but to the increased secretion of chylomicron and very low density lipoproteins. During absorption of mepitiostane from the small intestine, oil affected not only the penetration into epithelium cells and the metabolism in them, but also the partition between blood and lymph.

Effect of Bile on Absorption of Mepitiostane by the Lymphatic System in Rats

The effects of bile and site of gastrointestinal absorption on the lymphatic absorption of the highly lipophilic drug, mepitiostane were examined using thoracic duct-cannulated rats. The lymphatic absorption from the small intestine was very small in the absence of bile compared with that when bile was present. The lymphatic absorption was greatest when drug was administered to the upper small intestine with bile, was smaller for the lower regions of the small intestine, and was negligible for the stomach and the large intestine. A correlation was observed between the extent of lymphatic absorption and the secretion of chylomicron and very low density lipoproteins after administration to various regions with or without bile. The portal absorption data of mepitiostane confirmed that site specificity occurs in the partition of drug between blood and lymph.

Targeted drug delivery to lymphocytes: a route to site-specific immunomodulation?

Lymphocytes are central to the progression of autoimmune disease, transplant rejection, leukemia, lymphoma and lymphocyte-resident viral diseases such as HIV/AIDs. Strategies to target drug treatments to lymphocytes, therefore, represent an opportunity to enhance therapeutic outcomes in disease states where many current treatment regimes are incompletely effective and promote significant toxicities. Here we demonstrate that highly lipophilic drug candidates that preferentially access the intestinal lymphatics after oral administration show significantly enhanced access to lymphocytes leading to improved immunomodulatory activity. When coadministered with such drugs, lipids enhance lymphocyte targeting via a three tiered action: promotion of drug absorption from the gastrointestinal tract, enhancement of lymphatic drug transport and stimulation of lymphocyte recruitment into the lymphatics. This strategy has been exemplified using a highly lipophilic immunosuppressant (JWH015) where coadministration with selected lipids led to significant increases in lymphatic transport, lymphocyte targeting and IL-4 and IL-10 expression in CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes after ex vivo mitogen stimulation. In contrast, administration of a 2.5-fold higher dose of JWH015 in a formulation that did not stimulate lymph transport had no effect on antiinflammatory cytokine levels, in spite of equivalent drug exposure in the blood. The current data suggest that complementary drug design and delivery strategies that combine highly lipophilic, lymphotropic drug candidates with lymph-directing formulations provide enhanced selectivity, potency and therapeutic potential for drug candidates with lymphocyte associated targets.

Intestinal lymphatic transport enhances the post-prandial oral bioavailability of a novel cannabinoid receptor agonist via avoidance of first-pass metabolism

PURPOSE

To examine the effect of food on the oral bioavailability of a highly lipophilic, cannabinoid receptor agonist (CRA13) and to explore the basis for the food effect in lymph-cannulated and non-cannulated dogs.

METHODS

Oral bioavailability was assessed in fasted and fed human volunteers and in lymph-cannulated dogs. In fasted dogs, the extent of absorption and oral bioavailability was also examined following administration of radiolabelled CRA13.

RESULTS

Food had a substantial positive effect on the oral bioavailability of CRA13 in human volunteers (4.3-4.9 fold increase in AUC(0 - infinity)) and in dogs. The absolute bioavailability of parent drug was low in fasted dogs (8-20%), in spite of good absorption (72-75% of radiolabelled CRA13 recovered in the systemic circulation). In post-prandial lymph-cannulated dogs, bioavailability increased to 47.5% and the majority (43.7%) of the dose was absorbed via the intestinal lymphatic system.

CONCLUSIONS

The positive food effect for CRA13 does not appear to result from increased post-prandial absorption. Rather these data provide one of the first examples of a significant increase in bioavailability for a highly lipophilic drug, which is stimulated via almost complete post-prandial transport into the lymph, in turn resulting in a reduction in first-pass metabolism.

Lipid-based delivery systems and intestinal lymphatic drug transport: a mechanistic update

After oral administration, the majority of drug molecules are absorbed across the small intestine and enter the systemic circulation via the portal vein and the liver. For some highly lipophilic drugs (typically log P > 5, lipid solubility > 50 mg/g), however, association with lymph lipoproteins in the enterocyte leads to transport to the systemic circulation via the intestinal lymph. The attendant delivery benefits associated with lymphatic drug transport include a reduction in first-pass metabolism and lymphatic exposure to drug concentrations orders of magnitude higher than that attained in systemic blood. In the current review we briefly describe the mechanisms by which drug molecules access the lymph and the formulation strategies that may be utilised to enhance lymphatic drug transport. Specific focus is directed toward recent advances in understanding regarding the impact of lipid source (both endogenous and exogenous) and intracellular lipid trafficking pathways on lymphatic drug transport and enterocyte-based first-pass metabolism.

Lipids and lipid-based formulations: optimizing the oral delivery of lipophilic drugs

Highly potent, but poorly water-soluble, drug candidates are common outcomes of contemporary drug discovery programmes and present a number of challenges to drug development - most notably, the issue of reduced systemic exposure after oral administration. However, it is increasingly apparent that formulations containing natural and/or synthetic lipids present a viable means for enhancing the oral bioavailability of some poorly water-soluble, highly lipophilic drugs. This Review details the mechanisms by which lipids and lipidic excipients affect the oral absorption of lipophilic drugs and provides a perspective on the possible future applications of lipid-based delivery systems. Particular emphasis has been placed on the capacity of lipids to enhance drug solubilization in the intestinal milieu, recruit intestinal lymphatic drug transport (and thereby reduce first-pass drug metabolism) and alter enterocyte-based drug transport and disposition.

Tissue uptake of DDT is independent of chylomicron metabolism

AIM

To determine whether DDT uptake from chylomicrons (CM) into tissues is coincident with CM core lipid uptake.

METHOD

CM were collected from mesenteric lymph duct cannulated, male Sprague-Dawley rats administered olive oil containing 3H-Cholesterol (converted to cholesterol ester (CE) during absorption through the intestine) and 14C-DDT by oral gavage. The CM were suspended in normal saline and 400 microL (containing 0.11 microCi/mL 14C-DDT and 0.15 microCi/mL 3H-CE) was administered via the jugular vein to the recipient rats. The blood was sampled periodically over 30 min from the carotid artery and at the end of the experiment the adrenal glands, brain, fat, heart, liver and spleen were collected. The concentration of 14C-DDT and 3H-CE in whole blood samples and tissue samples was then determined.

RESULTS

DDT was removed from the whole blood and, therefore, CM at a significantly faster rate than CE (alpha = 0.05). The tissue distribution of DDT was also different from that of CE, and DDT was particularly concentrated in the retriperitoneal fat and brain. For DDT, the values for VBdB and Cl were significantly higher compared with those determined for CE.

CONCLUSION

DDT is absorbed predominantly via the intestinal lymphatic system in association with CM and accumulates in fatty tissues. This study furthers the understanding of the process of DDT uptake from CM into tissues and demonstrates that the uptake of DDT into tissues is faster than and independent of the uptake of CM core lipid (using CE as a marker). DDT was particularly concentrated in fatty tissues, accounting for its relatively high VBDB.

An examination of the interplay between enterocyte-based metabolism and lymphatic drug transport in the rat

The current study has examined whether drugs that are transported to the systemic circulation via the intestinal lymph (and therefore associate with lipoproteins within the enterocyte) are accessible to enterocyte-based metabolic processes. The impact of changes to the mass of lipid present within the enterocyte-based lymph lipid precursor pool (LLPP) on the extent of enterocyte-based drug metabolism has also been addressed. Low (5 mg oleic acid/h) or high [20 mg oleic acid/5.2 mg lyso-phosphatidylcholine/h] lipid dose formulations containing halofantrine (which is lymphatically transported and metabolized) or dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) (which is lymphatically transported and relatively metabolically inert) and radiolabeled oleic acid were infused into the duodenum of lymph duct-cannulated rats. After 5 h, drug and radiolabeled oleic acid were removed from the infusions, allowing calculation of the first order turnover rate constants describing drug and oleic acid transport from the LLPP into lymph from the washout profiles. In one group of animals, bolus doses of ketoconazole were also administered to inhibit cytochrome P450-based metabolism. The rate constant describing halofantrine transport from the LLPP into the lymph was lower than that of oleic acid, whereas these differences were abolished in the presence of ketoconazole. DDT and oleic acid exhibited similar turnover rate constants. The data therefore suggest that enterocyte-based metabolism removes halofantrine from the LLPP before transport into the lymph. Furthermore, enhancing the lymphatic transport of halofantrine by coadministration of larger quantities of lipid reduced the difference between the turnover rate constant for halofantrine and oleic acid and seemed to reduce the extent of enterocyte-based metabolism.

Bile Increases Intestinal Lymphatic Drug Transport in the Fasted Rat

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to determine the influence of (1) the source of recruited endogenous fatty acid (FA), and (2) bile on intestinal lymphatic transport of halofantrine (Hf) in fasted rats.

METHODS

Endogenous FA output in bile, and exogenous ((14)C radiolabeled) FA, endogenous FA, and Hf transport in mesenteric lymph were determined following administration of low dose lipid formulations containing either 4 or 40 mg of exogenous FA [oleic acid (OA)] and different amounts of bile salt (BS) and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) to fasted rats.

RESULTS

Administration of 40 mg of OA recruited endogenous FA and Hf transport into intestinal lymph, whereas 4 mg OA did not. However, addition of BS to the 4-mg OA dose led to stimulation of endogenous FA recruitment into lymph and an increase in lymphatic transport of Hf and endogenous FA output in bile. Addition of LPC to the 4-mg OA dose (dispersed in BS) caused a substantial increase in endogenous FA transport in lymph; however, no coincident increase in either lymphatic transport of Hf or endogenous FA output in bile was observed.

CONCLUSION

Biliary-derived endogenous FA has a higher propensity to support lymphatic transport of Hf compared to other sources of endogenous FA. The results suggest that this is related to the disparate trafficking of these alternate sources of endogenous FA within the enterocyte.

Equilibrium distribution of HIV antiviral drugs into human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) is controlled by free drug concentration in the extracellular medium

Effect of protein binding on the equilibrium distribution of selected HIV antiviral drugs into isolated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC, mainly lymphocytes) was investigated. Human PBMC from a single healthy human donor were isolated, purified, and cryopreserved. Uptake of non-peptide HIV-1 protease inhibitors PNU-96988 and PNU-103017 by these cells in vitro was evaluated as a function of increasing concentration of human serum in the cell incubation media. Both PNU-96988 and PNU-103017 were extensively bound to serum proteins. Uptake/efflux kinetics were very rapid such that accumulation by the cells was thermodynamically, not kinetically, controlled. Accumulation by human PBMCs in vitro was directly proportional to the free and not the total drug concentration in the media. For comparative purposes, the serum protein binding effect on the distribution of two HIV reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors, delavirdine (RESCRIPTOR) and zidovudine (AZT), was also evaluated. Like the HIV-1 protease inhibitors, delavirdine was found to be extensively associated with serum proteins and its accumulation by human PBMCs in vitro to be proportional to the free and not total drug concentration. In contrast, AZT was not bound to serum proteins to any significant extent. The uptake of this drug by human PBMCs in vitro was independent of serum concentration. However, the intrinsic cellular accumulation of PNU-96988, PNU-103017 and delavirdine were all greater than AZT. Thus, the extent to which drugs uptake by cells is affected by serum appears proportional to the binding affinity of the serum proteins for the drug.

A quantitative concept of the mechanism of intestinal lymphatic transfer of lipophilic molecules

The partition of mepitiostane, testosterone, and some structurally related compounds between lymph and blood in rat jejunum (lymph-blood partition ratio; LBPR) was determined, and the quantitative relationship between LBPR and lipophilicity was examined. When the delta Rm values (hydrophobic parameter derived from the mobility) relative to testosterone were < 0.2, their logLBPRs remained approximately constant in the range of -2 to -3. When the delta Rm values of the compounds were > 0.2, a linear correlation (r = 0.986, n = 8) was observed between these values and the logLBPRs. The LBPR, but not the extent of lymphatic absorption, of lipophilic molecules was determined strictly by the superlipophilicity, and for high partitioning into the lymph (> 50% of the absorbed amount), the delta Rm value had to be > 0.50 (5.65 as the logP value). The relationship between LBPR and superlipophilicity could be explained on the basis of the theoretical equations derived from absorption kinetics based on a dynamic partitioning model.

Factors determining the intrinsic lymphatic partition rate of epitiostanol and mepitiostane

Substitution of the steroid epitiostanol (EP) at position 17 with methoxycyclopentane yields the extremely liophilic mepitiostane (MP) with preferential partitioning into the lymph. Most of the MP in the lymph was associated with the core lipids of chylomicrons and very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), as was also the case for EP. However, the dialysis velocity of EP and MP from lymph to plasma differed greatly; EP, but not MP, was transferred from the lymph to the plasma. This difference was attributed to differences in their unbound fraction in the lymph. Lymphatic transfer and the logP value of several tested steroids correlated well. Therefore, the oral EP prodrug, MP, partitioned into the lymph because of its superlipophilicity and resultant retention in the core lipids of chylomicrons and VLDL.

Intrinsic lymphatic partition rate of mepitiostane, epitiostanol, and oleic acid absorbed from rat intestine

Mepitiostane (MP), epitiostanol (EP), and oleic acid were administered to the jejunal loop of mesenteric vein- and thoracic duct-cannulated rats, and the intrinsic lymphatic partition rate (ILPR) of the absorbed compounds was directly determined. When 14C-EP was administered to the jejunal loop, recovery of unchanged EP in the mesenteric blood and the lymph was 7.9 and 0.03% of the administered dose, respectively. In contrast, following administration of 14C-MP, recovery of unchanged MP in the mesenteric blood and the lymph was 1.2 and 15.0%, respectively. Thus, following passage through the mucosal cell, 99.6% of the unchanged EP was partitioned into the blood and 0.4% into the lymph, while for unchanged MP, 7.6% was partitioned into the blood and 92.4% into the lymph. When 14C-oleic acid was administered to the jejunal loop, most of the penetrating oleic acid was incorporated into triglycerides in epithelial cells and transferred exclusively into the lymph. However, of the unchanged oleic acid, only 37.6% was partitioned into the lymph and 62.4% into the blood. The ILPR was 92.4% for MP, 0.4% for EP, and 37.6% for oleic acid. We conclude that the ILPR values indicate the true lymphotropic property of the compounds.

Absorption and disposition of epithiosteroids in rats (2): Avoidance of first-pass metabolism of mepitiostane by lymphatic absorption

1. Absorption of mepitiostane (MP) from the gastrointestinal tract was examined using thoracic duct-cannulated rats. 2. When 14C-MP was administered into the small intestine, 34% of the radioactivity was recovered in the 6-h thoracic duct lymph. More than 90% of this radioactivity was due to unchanged MP and most of the MP in the lymph was carried in the lipid core of the chylomicrons and VLDL. 3. Radioactivity in the portal blood was extensively extracted by the liver and excreted into bile as polar metabolites. Thus, most unchanged MP which entered the systemic circulation following oral administration was drug absorbed via the intestinal lymphatics. 4. MP avoids the first-pass effect by lymphatic adsorption.

Metabolic fate of indometacin farnesil, a prodrug of indomethacin: characteristic biotransformation of indometacin farnesil in rats

1. Hydrolysis of indometacin farnesil (IMF), a farnesyl ester of indomethacin, was higher in plasma and pancreatic juice than in liver and kidney homogenates of rats. Plasma hydrolytic activity was extremely low in beagle dog, monkey and human. 2. Orally administered 14C-IMF was absorbed mainly via the throacic lymph duct and distributed into tissues such as liver, adrenal and spleen as the unchanged from; the 14C in rat plasma was present mainly as indomethacin released from IMF. 3. The concentration ratios of indomethacin in carrageenin-induced inflamed paw to blood after 14C-IMF administration were significantly greater than those after 14C-indomethacin dosing. 4. These results indicate that absorbed IMF might be transported as the unchanged drug into tissues, including the site of inflammation and then hydrolysed to indomethacin in the tissues.

The effect of Miglycol 812 oil on the oral absorption of propranolol in the rat

This work has examined the effect of Miglyol 812 oil and its composite fatty acids on the oral absorption of propranolol with reference to its intravenous (i.v.) pharmacokinetics. Propranolol hydrochloride, spiked with 4-(3) H labelled compound, was administered i.v. or orally to male Wistar rats and blood concentrations of parent material determined by liquid scintillation counting after extraction into toluene. An i.v. dose-linearity study indicated dose-independent pharmacokinetics for propranolol at 1-2 mg kg-1, with a mean Cls, Vss, MRTi.v. and t0.5 beta of 0.076 L min-1 kg-1, 4.74 L kg-1, 57.81 min and 47.10 min, respectively. At 5 mg kg-1, there was evidence of non-linearity with MRTi.v. increased by about 250%, Vss by 170% and t0.5 beta by 230% compared with the lower doses. After oral administration of propranolol (10 mg kg-1) in aqueous solution, with or without Tween 80 (6%), the mean absorption time (MAT) and terminal half-life were approximately 55 min and 86 min, respectively. The MAT for propranolol administered in a 50% octanoic and lauric acid (1:1 by weight) oil-in-water emulsion, stabilized with 6% Tween 80 (129-90 min), was significantly longer compared with that for a 50% Miglyol 812 oil-in-water emulsion containing the same surfactant (16.55 min). The terminal half-life of propranolol administered in the fatty acid formulation (128.96 min), unlike that for the Miglyol emulsion (54-37 min), was significantly longer compared with that observed after i.v. administration (t0.5 beta = 47 min).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of preexposure to dietary benzo[a]pyrene (BP) on the first-pass metabolism of BP by the intestine of toadfish (Opsanus tau): in vivo studies using portal vein-catheterized fish

The effect of preexposure of fish to dietary benzo[a]pyrene (BP) on the intestinal metabolism of BP was examined in toadfish (Opsanus tau). The portal veins of toadfish were cannulated following administration of radiolabeled BP to the intestinal lumen. Because these fish lack a lymphatic vessel system, the portal vein is the sole route by which BP and its metabolites enter the circulation. In fish preexposed to dietary BP (10 mg BP/kg food), the radioactivity entering the portal vein was almost entirely (ca. 90%) BP metabolites. In fish fed a laboratory control diet, a smaller percentage (ca. 60%) of the radioactivity entering the portal vein was in the form of BP metabolites. The enhanced efficiency of the intestines of preexposed fish in metabolizing BP appears to be a result of induction of intestinal aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity. Intestinal microsomal AHH activities in control and preexposed fish were 0.033 +/- 0.032 and 0.320 +/- 0.060 nmol.min-1.mg-1, respectively. Gel filtration of portal vein plasma indicated differences in the roles of plasma proteins in transporting BP and BP metabolites. Native BP was associated primarily with the high density lipoproteins, whereas organic-soluble BP metabolites were associated primarily with serum albumin fractions. A large percentage of BP metabolites was recovered as water-soluble conjugates. These studies indicate that in fish, the intestine can be an important organ involved in dietary BP metabolism.

Lipid vehicles for intestinal lymphatic drug absorption

The lipoprotein fractions in mesenteric lymph were monitored following intraduodenal administration of arachis oil and oleic, linoleic and linolenic fatty acids to rats. An increase in the chylomicron fraction, but not the VLDL or LDL fraction, was observed with each lipid. The greater the degree of unsaturation of the fatty acid, the more rapid the onset of chylomicron synthesis. The administration of linoleic acid and arachis oil produced the highest concentration of chylomicrons in the lymph. These results reflect differences in the rate of absorption and biochemical metabolism of the lipids and have implications for the selection of vehicles for the delivery of drugs by the lymphatic route.

Relationship between antipyrine absorption and blood flow rate in rat jejunum, ileum, and colon

The appearance rate of antipyrine in intestinal venous blood was measured in anesthetized rats during perfusion (0.2 ml/min) of a buffered solution with 1 mmol/l labeled antipyrine through a jejunal, ileal, or colonic segment (length: 2-5 cm). When the blood flow rate was increased from 0.9-1.2 to 1.6-2.0 ml min-1 g-1 by raising the systemic blood pressure from 80 to 130 mm Hg, the absorption of antipyrine increased only in the colon. Stepwise reduction of the blood flow rate from 1.4-1.7 to 0.2-0.3 or stepwise raise from 0.2-0.3 to 1.4 ml min-1 g-1 by constriction or release of the mesenteric artery decreased or increased the absorption rate of antipyrine. The relation between absorption and flow rate can be described by curves which ascend at low and level off into a horizontal section at high flow rates. At the same blood flow rate the regional absorption rate decreased in the order jejunum, ileum, and colon with the largest step between ileum and colon. Model analysis yielded the following results for jejunum, ileum, and colon, respectively: permeability-surface area product 0.083, 0.074, and 0.037 ml min-1 g-1; fraction of absorptive site blood flow rate 0.24, 0.19, 0.08. The differences can be attributed mainly to the change of the surface area from jejunum to ileum and colon.

Lymphatic transport of liposome-encapsulated agents: effects of liposome size following intraperitoneal administration

Liposomal encapsulation can limit passage of a drug from a peritoneal administration site to blood, while enhancing lymphatic transport. We evaluated the effects of liposome size on lymphatic transport after intraperitoneal administration. Liposomes tested had mean diameters of either 0.72, 0.46, 0.17, or 0.048 micron and identical compositions. [14C]Sucrose was the aqueous space marker (model drug). Doses were given to thoracic-duct-cannulated rats. The subsequent 0-5 h time-course of carbon-14 was quantified in thoracic lymph, several lymph nodes, blood, and urine. Calibration studies indicated a maximum of approximately 30% of the absorbed dose could be collected in thoracic lymph. Carbon-14 levels in the various nodes covered a 1000-fold range, and relatively high levels were observed in the left mediastinal, parathymic, cisternal, and renal lymph nodes. Liposome stability in vivo and in vitro increased with decreasing size. Absorption from the peritoneal cavity was independent of size. The smallest liposomes were collected in lymph with little lymph node retention. The largest liposomes were retained most by lymph nodes, and would be the best prototypical carrier of the group if increased therapeutic availability within both lymph and lymph nodes is desired. The results implicate other, unexplored physical and physiological variables as potentially of equal importance.

The role of the lymphatic transport in the enteral absorption of naftifine by the rat

After intestinal absorption of 3H-naftifine by the rat, an appreciable amount of radioactivity is drained via the lymphatics, mainly as parent compound associated almost exclusively with chylomicrons. In contrast, metabolites are mainly transported in the portal blood. Drug transported via the portal route undergoes high extraction and extensive degradation by the liver and is released to the systemic circulation in small quantities only. As is shown from a comparison of animals with intact and with drained lymph flow, the systemic blood level of naftifine is determined to a large extent by drug transported via the lymphatic route.

Intestinal lymphatic absorption of cyclosporin A following oral administration in an olive oil solution in rats

The intestinal lymphatic absorption of cyclosporin A (CyA) following oral administration of 6.5 +/- 0.6 and 25.2 +/- 1.4 mg kg-1 doses of the drug dissolved in an olive oil solution was studied using a thoracic duct-cannulated rat model. Cumulative lymph samples were collected for up to 114 h post-dosing and assayed by liquid scintillation counting. In this study, the estimated amount of lymphatically absorbed CyA was 0.35 +/- 0.13 and 0.47 +/- 0.29 per cent of the respective doses. In terms of the overall oral bioavailability of CyA (Fpo) by all absorptive mechanisms, the intestinal lymphatics accounted for the absorption of approximately 2 per cent of the total amount of absorbed drug. Fpo was 21.3 +/- 2.5 per cent. The results of this study suggested that lipophilicity alone was not the only factor governing intestinal lymphatic drug absorption. An explanation for the low level of lymphatic CyA absorption is presented. In addition, some reasons for the low overall oral bioavailability of CyA are discussed.

The effect of oils on the lymphatic absorption of DDT

Plasma concentrations of DDT were measured in conscious rats following oral administration in arachis oil, Miglyol 812 (fractionated coconut oil), liquid paraffin or as a fine suspension in water. The total absorption of DDT, calculated as the area under the plasma concentration time curve, was significantly greater for the arachis oil formulation compared to the other vehicles. In anaesthetized rats it was shown that DDT absorption was almost totally via the lymphatic system, and that lymph levels of DDT were highest following administration in arachis oil. Measurement of lymph flow showed that this enhanced absorption of DDT in the presence of arachis oil was not due to an increased flow as both arachis oil and liquid paraffin stimulated lymph production to the same extent.