| abstract |
The invention relates to a system and method for assessing simulated biological dissolution of a pharmaceutical formulation and absorption of a pharmaceutically active compound therefrom. The system comprises a dissolution chamber and a cell culture chamber. Within the dissolution chamber, the dissolution profile of the pharmaceutical formulation (or drug) is determined. Within the cell culture chamber, the pharmaceutically active compound may be absorbed and transported by a cell monolayer. The cell culture chamber includes a tubular filter which is permeable to medium and capable of supporting the cell monolayer on its interior surface. Insertion of the filter into the cell culture chamber housing forms an apical chamber interior of the filter, and a basal chamber between the filter and the wall of the housing. The filter rotates about an axis within the housing substantially parallel to the direction of media flow through the cell culture chamber. The medium flowing from the dissolution chamber contains the pharmaceutical formulation and is provided to the apical chamber. The rate of appearance of the pharmaceutically active compound in the medium outflowing from the basal chamber may be analysed to determine absorption of the pharmaceutically active compound. |