This work used in vivo MRI images of human colon wall motion to inform a biorelevant Dynamic Colon Model (DCM) to understand the interplay of wall motion, volume, viscosity, fluid, and particle motion within the colon lumen. Hydrodynamics and particle motion within the DCM were characterized using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Positron Emission Particle Tracking (PEPT), respectively. In vitro PET images showed that fluid of higher viscosity follows the wall motion with poor mixing, whereas good mixing was observed for a low viscosity fluid. PEPT data showed particle displacements comparable to the in vivo data. Increasing fluid viscosity favors the net forward propulsion of the tracked particles. The use of a floating particle demonstrated shorter residence times and greater velocities on the liquid surface, suggesting a surface wave that was moving faster than the bulk liquid. The DCM can provide an understanding of flow motion and behavior of particles with different buoyancy, which in turn may improve the design of drug formulations, whereby fragments of the dosage form and/or drug particles are suspended in the proximal colon.

In this study, planar induced fluorescence (PLIF) was used for the first time to evaluate variability in drug dissolution data using Rhodamine-6G doped tablets within small volume USP 2 apparatus. The results were compared with tablets contained theophylline (THE) drug for conventional dissolution analysis. The impact of hydrodynamics, sampling point, dissolution media viscosity and pH were investigated to note effects on release of these two actives from the hydrophilic matrix tablets. As expected mixing performance was poor with complex and reduced velocities at the bottom of the vessel close to the tablet surface; this mixing became even worse as the viscosity of the fluid increased. The sampling point for dissolution can affect the results due to in-homogenous mixing within the vessel; this effect is exacerbated with higher viscosity dissolution fluids. The dissolution profiles of RH-6G measured via PLIF and THE measured using UV analysis were not statistically different demonstrating that RH-6G is an appropriate probe to mimic the release profile of a highly soluble drug. A linear correlation was accomplished between the release data of the drug and the dye (R(2)>0.9). The dissolution profile of the dye, obtained with the analysis of the PLIF images, can be used in order to evaluate how the viscosity and the mixing performance of USP 2 mini vessel affect the interpretation of the dissolution data of the targeted drug.

For colonic drug delivery, the ascending part of the colon is the most favourable site as it offers the most suitable environmental conditions for drug dissolution. Commonly, the performance of a drug formulation is assessed using standardised dissolution apparatus, which does not replicate the hydrodynamics and shear stress evoked by wall motion in the colon. In this work, computer simulations are used to analyse and understand the influence of different biorelevant motility patterns on the disintegration/drug release of a solid dosage form (tablet) under different fluid conditions (viscosities) to mimic the ascending colonic environment. Furthermore, the ability of the motility pattern to distribute the drug in the ascending colon luminal environment is analysed to provide data for a spatiotemporal concentration profile. The motility patterns used are derived from in vivo data representing different motility patterns in the human ascending colon. The applied motility patterns show considerable differences in the drug release rate from the tablet, as well as in the ability to distribute the drug along the colon. The drug dissolution/disintegration process from a solid dosage form is primarily influenced by the hydrodynamic and shear stress it experiences, i.e., a combination of motility pattern and fluid viscosity. Reduced fluid motion leads to a more pronounced influence of diffusion in the tablet dissolution process. The motility pattern that provoked frequent single shear stress peaks seemed to be more effective in achieving a higher drug release rate. The ability to simulate drug release profiles under biorelevant colonic environmental conditions provides valuable feedback to better understand the drug formulation and how this can be optimised to ensure that the drug is present in the desired concentration within the ascending colon.

We developed a mathematical model that describes the motion of viscous fluids in the partially-filled colon caused by the periodic contractions of flexible walls (peristalsis). In-vitro data are used to validate the model. The model is then used to identify two fundamental mechanisms of mass transport: the surfing mode and the pouring mode. The first mechanism is faster, but only involves the surface of the liquid. The second mechanism causes deeper mixing, and appears to be the main transport mechanism. Based on the gained understanding, we propose a series of measures that can improve the reliability of in-vitro models. The tracer in PET-like experiments, in particular, should not be injected in the first pocket, and its viscosity should be as close as possible to that of the fluid. If these conditions are not met, the dynamics of the tracer and the fluid diverge, compromising the accuracy of the in-vitro data.

The proximal part of the colon offers opportunities to prolong the absorption window following oral administration of a drug. In this work, we used computer simulations to understand how the hydrodynamics in the proximal colon might affect the release from dosage forms designed to target the colon. For this purpose, we developed and compared three different models: a completely-filled colon, a partially-filled colon and a partially-filled colon with a gaseous phase present (gas-liquid model).The highest velocities of the liquid were found in the completely-filled model, which also shows the best mixing profile, defined by the distribution of tracking particles over time. No significant differences with regard to the mixing and velocity profiles were found between the partiallyfilled model and the gas-liquid model. The fastest transit time of an undissolved tablet was found in the completely-filled model. The velocities of the liquid in the gas-liquid model are slightly higher along the colon than in the partially-filled model. The filling level has an impact on the exsisting shear forces and shear rates, which are decisive factors in the development of new drugs and formulations.

Despite several decades of research into encapsulation of bacteria, most of the proposed technologies are in the form of immobilized cultures. In this work, sporopollenin exine capsules (SECs) opened, using silica particles which act as pressing micro‐probes, and loaded with Lactobacillus casei (L. casei) cells, are described for the first time. The proposed encapsulation provided ≈30× higher encapsulation yield (30.87%), compared to direct compression of SECs (0.99%). Encapsulated L. casei cells show 1.21‐ and 2.25‐folds higher viability compared to free cells, in in vitro simulated fasted and fed media representing the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract, respectively. Encapsulated L. casei can proliferate inside the SECs, generating enough pressure to cause the SECs to burst and release the viable and metabolically active cells. The noticeable difference with the application of the SECs as a means of encapsulation is that the SECs may act as a bioreactor and provide time for the encapsulated cells to multiply thousands of times before being released, following the SEC's burst. The unique advantages of SECs alongside the proposed encapsulation method, demonstrates the potential application of SECs as delivery system of probiotics to the distal part of the human GI tract.

Knowledge of luminal flow inside the human colon remains elusive, despite its importance for the design of new colon-targeted drug delivery systems and physiologically relevant in silico models of dissolution mechanics within the colon. This study uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to visualise, measure and differentiate between different motility patterns within an anatomically representative in vitro dissolution model of the human ascending colon: the dynamic colon model (DCM). The segmented architecture and peristalsis-like contractile activity of the DCM generated flow profiles that were distinct from compendial dissolution apparatuses. MRI enabled different motility patterns to be classified by the degree of mixing-related motion using a new tagging method. Different media viscosities could also be differentiated, which is important for an understanding of colonic pathophysiology, the conditions that a colon-targeted dosage form may be subjected to and the effectiveness of treatments. The tagged MRI data showed that the DCM effectively mimicked wall motion, luminal flow patterns and the velocities of the contents of the human ascending colon. Accurate reproduction of in vivo hydrodynamics is an essential capability for a biorelevant mechanical model of the colon to make it suitable for in vitro data generation for in vitro in vivo evaluation (IVIVE) or in vitro in vivo correlation (IVIVC). This work illustrates how the DCM provides new insight into how motion of the colonic walls may control luminal hydrodynamics, driving erosion of a dosage form and subsequent drug release, compared to traditional pharmacopeial methods.

In vivo studies have shown cyclic bile salt (BS) outputs during fasting whereas higher amounts have been observed in fed states. This leads to fluctuations of intestinal BS concentrations ([BS]) that can affect the rate and extent of absorption of lipophilic drugs in particular. However, most PBPK models use fixed values of [BS] in fasted and fed states albeit with different values in different regions of the GI tract. During fasting, there is a relationship between gallbladder volume (GBV) and the phase of the Interdigestive Migrating Motor Complex cycle (IMMCc), showing cyclic GBV changes with periodic filling and emptying. This relationship is also affected by the origin of the IMMCc (antral or duodenal). In fed states, meta-analysis indicated that GB residual volume (% of fasting maximum) was 46.4 ±27 %CV and 30.7 ±48 %CV for low-and high-fat meals respectively. The corresponding values for the duration of the emptying phase were for low fat meals 0.72h ±1%CV and for high fat meals 1.17h ±37%CV. The model, the Advanced Dynamic Bile Salt Model (ADBSM), was built bottom-up and its parameters were not fitted against in vivo measurements of [BS]. It involved update of the dynamic luminal fluid volumes model based on meta-analysis of available imaging data. The ADBSM is incorporated into the Simcyp® (v18r2) PBPK simulator. The model predictivity was good (within 1.25 fold error for 11/20 of the clinical studies) and was assessed against clinical studies of luminal [BS] that provide only the type of meal (i.e., low-or high-fat), the timing of the meal and/or water intake events, and the number and age range of the study participants. The model is also an important component of models capturing enterohepatic recirculation of drug and metabolite. Further work is required to validate the current model and compare to simpler models with respect to drug absorption, especially of the lipophilic compounds.