Comparison of in vitro models for the prediction of compound absorption across the human intestinal mucosa

J Biomol Screen. 2004 Oct;9(7):598-606. doi: 10.1177/1087057104267162.

Abstract

Several in vitro assays have been developed to evaluate the gastrointestinal absorption of compounds. Our aim was to compare 3 of these methods: 1) the bio-mimetic artificial membrane permeability assay (BAMPA) method, which offers a high-throughput, noncellular approach to the measurement of passive transport; 2) the traditional Caco-2 cell assay, the use of which as a high-throughput tool is limited by the long cell differentiation time (21 days); and 3) The BioCoat high-throughput screening Caco-2 Assay System, which reduces Caco-2 cell differentiation to 3 days. The transport of known compounds (such as cephalexin, propranolol, or chlorothiazide) was studied at pH 7.4 and 6.5 in BAMPA and both Caco-2 cell models. Permeability data obtained was correlated to known values of human absorption. Best correlations (r = 0.9) were obtained at pH 6.5 for BAMPA and at pH 7.4 for the Caco-2 cells grown for 21 days. The Caco-2 BioCoat HTS Caco-2 Assay System does not seem to be adequate for the prediction of absorption. The overall results indicate that BAMPA and the 21-day Caco-2 system can be complementary for an accurate prediction of human intestinal absorption.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biological Assay / methods*
  • Biological Transport
  • Caco-2 Cells
  • Cell Membrane Permeability*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Intestinal Absorption*
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism*
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Models, Biological*

Substances

  • Membranes, Artificial