Intestinal lymphatic drug transport: an update

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Drug Delivery
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Increasing identification of poorly water-soluble, highly lipophilic drug candidates necessitates understanding intestinal lymphatic drug transport.
• Lipid digestion and absorption play a crucial role in stimulating lymphatic drug transport.
• The characteristics of co-administered lipids (class, chain length, unsaturation) impact lymphatic transport.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the mechanisms of drug entry into the intestinal lymph.
• To evaluate the influence of different lipid types on lymphatic drug transport.
• To discuss the implications of lipid volume dosing and future research directions.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on intestinal lymphatic drug transport mechanisms.
• Analysis of studies investigating the impact of lipid properties on drug transport.
• Description of recent studies on halofantrine lymphatic transport in dogs.
• Discussion of potential future research models, including cell cultures and genetically modified animals.

Main Results:

• Lipid class, chain length, and unsaturation significantly affect the stimulation of lymphatic drug transport.
• Lipid volume administered can complicate the assessment of lymphatic transport extent.
• Recent studies demonstrated significant lymphatic transport of halofantrine in dogs post-prandially.

Conclusions:

• Dietary lipids are critical modulators of intestinal lymphatic drug transport for lipophilic drugs.
• Further research using advanced models is needed to optimize drug delivery via the lymphatic system.
• Understanding lipid-drug interactions is essential for improving oral bioavailability of challenging drug molecules.