More realistic model hopes to replace animal testing
New research at the University of Nottingham aims to develop a more realistic model of drug uptake, which could offer an alternative to animal testing.
Led by Dr Martin Garnett at the university's School of Pharmacy, the research team are looking to deliver an improved cell-based model for determining how easily drugs and nanoparticles enter the body through the gut.
The three-year project has been granted funding of £152,780 by the Dr Hadwen Trust, a research charity that promotes and funds the development of techniques to replace animal testing in biomedical research.
Dr Garnett says that cell models which study drug uptake across the gut already exist. Commenting on the current research, he explained: "This work builds on previous work funded by the Dr Hadwen Trust where we investigated a component called ‘basement membrane’ which is present in normal gut, but absent in the conventional cell model.
"We have shown that basement membrane is important for both the normal growth of epithelial cells and as a barrier to uptake of some molecules and nanoparticles. In our new work we will extend these findings to produce a more realistic model."
An important part of the new study will be demonstrating and validating the beneficial effects of the basement membrane to the model.
To help improve its accuracy, scientists will incorporate M cells into the new model, as these have been found to help transport some nanoparticles. In addition, researchers say that the mucus produced by some cells in the epithelium can affect how quickly drugs pass into the gut.
The older model, according to the research team, uses a porous artificial membrane, or substrate, which has been found to prevent the movement of some larger molecules and particles. In the new model this substrate will be replaced with an innovative new support made from woven nanofibres.
Scientists say the new model could potentially reduce the need for animal testing, both in the pharmaceutical industry, and for toxicology studies on nano particles.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
