Optimising Emulsions for More Efficient Uptake of Lipophilic Compounds
Previous experiments have shown that pre-emulsified oil may be digested and its constituents are taken up at a faster rate compared to bulk oil. This rate of digestion is also dependent on emulsion parameters such as droplet size or oil composition. We wish to further examine this link between emulsion parameters and digestion/uptake rate for our simplified emulsion system, and to do this we will perform the following experiment on rats (Sprague-Dawley).
The experiment will be performed in 3 steps:
1. Examination of emulsion droplet size influence on uptake kinetics. Rats will be divided up into 4 groups, with 5 rats in each group. 3 emulsions with different droplet sizes as well as 1 non-emulsified control feed will be prepared, with a lipophilic marker (fat soluble vitamin) in the oil phase. In the beginning of the experiment, the rats in each group will be fed with one of the feeds. Blood samples will be taken at time points (0, 1h, 2h, 4h, 6h, 8h, 24h), and analyzed for marker, giving a view of how quickly the marker is taken up and transported into blood for the different feeds.
2. Similar to part 1, except one droplet size is chosen (based on the results from part 1) and emulsions are prepared with two different oil types. It is known that triglycerides with certain fatty acids may promote or demote e.g. lymphatic transport on behalf of portal vein transport, and this experiment is to see if this difference is relevant for our emulsion system. 2 groups with 5 rats in each.
3. Based on the results in step 1 and 2, an optimized emulsion will be prepared containing a poorly bioavailable lipophilic active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) (Fenofibrate), in an attempt to increase the bioavailability and/or rate of uptake of this drug. This will be compared to a non-emulsified control. 2 groups with 5 rats in each.
For all steps: rat blood samples will be taken from the tail vein, which allows for repeated blood sampling with minimal pain and invasiveness. Blood volumes taken will be small, causing no discomfort for the animals. The feeds given to the animals are not expected to cause any issues, as they will be formulated using food grade ingredients (except for the API).
The results from these experiments may find use in optimizing pharma-/nutraceutical delivery systems or in formulation of improved animal feed.
The experiment will be performed in 3 steps:
1. Examination of emulsion droplet size influence on uptake kinetics. Rats will be divided up into 4 groups, with 5 rats in each group. 3 emulsions with different droplet sizes as well as 1 non-emulsified control feed will be prepared, with a lipophilic marker (fat soluble vitamin) in the oil phase. In the beginning of the experiment, the rats in each group will be fed with one of the feeds. Blood samples will be taken at time points (0, 1h, 2h, 4h, 6h, 8h, 24h), and analyzed for marker, giving a view of how quickly the marker is taken up and transported into blood for the different feeds.
2. Similar to part 1, except one droplet size is chosen (based on the results from part 1) and emulsions are prepared with two different oil types. It is known that triglycerides with certain fatty acids may promote or demote e.g. lymphatic transport on behalf of portal vein transport, and this experiment is to see if this difference is relevant for our emulsion system. 2 groups with 5 rats in each.
3. Based on the results in step 1 and 2, an optimized emulsion will be prepared containing a poorly bioavailable lipophilic active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) (Fenofibrate), in an attempt to increase the bioavailability and/or rate of uptake of this drug. This will be compared to a non-emulsified control. 2 groups with 5 rats in each.
For all steps: rat blood samples will be taken from the tail vein, which allows for repeated blood sampling with minimal pain and invasiveness. Blood volumes taken will be small, causing no discomfort for the animals. The feeds given to the animals are not expected to cause any issues, as they will be formulated using food grade ingredients (except for the API).
The results from these experiments may find use in optimizing pharma-/nutraceutical delivery systems or in formulation of improved animal feed.