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Journal of Microencapsulation, Vol.31, No.1, 1-8, 2014
Fate of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) following the oral route: design, pharmacokinetics and biodistribution
The aim of this study was to develop a nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) formulation containing spironolactone (SPN-NLCs), and to investigate its potential for the oral delivery of poorly water-soluble compounds. SPN-NLCs were orally administered to rabbits and the pharmacokinetics of spironolactone and its metabolites was evaluated. As reference formulation, we administered syrup. Spironolactone was only detected in a few plasma samples; hence, metabolite levels were employed for the pharmacokinetic analysis. The absolute bioavailability of 7 alpha-TMS was significantly higher with the syrup than those obtained with the SPN-NLCs (0.7 versus 0.4, p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in the bioavailability of canrenone, revealing a different canrenone/7 alpha-TMS ratio depending on the administered formulation. Orally administered Tc-99m-radiolabeled SPN-NLCs were mainly detected in the small intestine. These results suggest the retention of the nanocarriers in the underlying epithelium and further uptake by the epithelial cells.