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Colloidal Structures in Media Simulating Intestinal Fed State Conditions with and Without Lipolysis Products

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Abstract

Purpose

To study the ultrastructure of biorelevant media and digestion products of self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) at high level BS/PL conditions.

Methods

Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (Cryo-TEM) was employed to visualize the colloid structures in the biorelevant media and lipolytic products generated during hydrolysis of a SNEDDS formulation. Their electrical properties were investigated by measuring their ζ-potential values.

Results

In the biorelevant media, vesicles (either unilamellar or multilamellar) and bilayer fragments are visualized. Occasionally, vesicles with an internal deformed structure are recognized, suggesting surface tension or uneven lateral stress. Visualization studies of the intermediate colloidal phases produced during digestion of a SNEDDS using the in vitro lipolysis model revealed the formation of similar structures as previously reported. The ζ-potential of the media was negatively charged and decreased from −23 to −35 mV with increasing surfactant/lipid load. Lower ζ-potential values (−16 mV) obtained for the structures formed during the lipid hydrolysis of the SNEDDS were probably due to the presence of calcium, which shields the surface, thereby reducing the charge.

Conclusions

The diversity of these vesicles in terms of size, lamellarity, and internal organization advocate their important role during lipid digestion in the gastrointestinal milieu.

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Acknowledgements

The Cryo-microscopy was performed at the Biomicroscopy unit at the Centre of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Lund University. The authors are grateful to Mrs. Gunnel Karlsson for her skilful assistance with the Cryo-TEM instrument. This work was financially supported from Drug Research Academy (DRA), The Danish University of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Mrs IW was an IASTE student at the Danish University of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmaceutics and Analytical Chemistry, The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Dimitrios G. Fatouros, Isabelle Walrand & Anette Müllertz

  2. Department of Food Technology, Center for Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lund University, P.O. Box 124, 22100, Lund, Sweden

    Bjorn Bergenstahl

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  1. Dimitrios G. Fatouros
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  2. Isabelle Walrand
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  4. Anette Müllertz
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Correspondence to Dimitrios G. Fatouros.

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Fatouros, D.G., Walrand, I., Bergenstahl, B. et al. Colloidal Structures in Media Simulating Intestinal Fed State Conditions with and Without Lipolysis Products. Pharm Res 26, 361–374 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11095-008-9750-9

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