- Author:
Qing-Qing CAI
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: Drug absorption; First-pass metabolism; Lipids; Lymphatic transport
- From: Chinese Pharmaceutical Journal 2013;48(17):1433-1438
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
- Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Available information on the background of the current state and advances of the intestinal lymph trans port of medicines were reviewed. Drug transported by the intestinal lymphatic system can avoid hepatic first-pass metabolism, increase the bioavalibitlty of the highly lipophilic drug, and it is of importance for immunomodulatory, anticancer and anti-infective drugs. METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature review of articles published recent years, analysis and summaries are made upon the advances and methods applied for the increase of the intestinal lymph transport. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Intestinal lymphatic transport can increase the bioavailability via a reduction in the first-pass metabolism and the possibility of specifically targeting drugs to regions of the lymphatics, thus it is very advantageous for drugs that are under significant first-pass metabolism. The present review embodies a brief background of the mechanism of access of drugs to the intestinal lymph, a discussion on the links between lipid absorption and transport of highly lipophilic drugs, and approaches for enhancing lymphatic drug transport. Finally, experimental models of the lymphatic transport are also discussed.