Size selectivity of intestinal mucus to diffusing particulates is dependent on surface chemistry and exposure to lipids.

ABSTRACT: Intestinal mucus provides a significant barrier to transport of orally delivered drug carriers, as well as other particulates (e.g. food, microbes). The relative significance of particle size, surface chemistry, and dosing medium to mucus barrier properties is not well characterized, but important in designing delivery systems targeted to the intestinal mucosa. In this study, multiple particle tracking (MPT) was used to study diffusion of 20-500 nm diameter carboxylate- and polyethylene glycol-(PEG-)functionalized polystyrene model carriers through intestinal mucus. The impact of exposure to mucus in buffer versus a partially digested triglyceride mixture was explored. Effective diffusivity of particles in intestinal mucus decreased with an increasing particle size less than and more than

SUBMITTER: Yildiz HM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4874559 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature