Biomaterial Database

Physiology and pharmacology of the brushtail possum gastrointestinal tract: relationship to the human gastrointestinal tract. 2007

Arlene McDowell, and Bernie J McLeod

School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand. arlene.mcdowell@stonebow.otago.ac.nz

Oral formulations are typically based on studies from eutherian animal models. This review introduces information relating to oral formulations for a marsupial species, the Australian brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) that has arisen from research into new methods for controlling this species - a major vertebrate pest in New Zealand. Morphologically, the gastrointestinal tract of the brushtail possum is similar to that of hindgut fermenting eutherian species, but there are some striking differences in function. Limited data suggests that the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of administered drugs are similar to that in eutherian species, but there is some evidence that possums may have specific mechanisms for handling the intake of plant toxins and xenobiotics. The development of oral formulations for a free-ranging pest species presents several challenges above those encountered in the development of therapeutic formulations for humans and domestic animals. Use of a marsupial animal model may lead to new strategies for oral formulations in humans.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D010539	Permeability	Property of membranes and other structures to permit passage of light, heat, gases, liquids, metabolites, and mineral ions.	Permeabilities
D010599	Pharmacokinetics	Dynamic and kinetic mechanisms of exogenous chemical DRUG LIBERATION; ABSORPTION; BIOLOGICAL TRANSPORT; TISSUE DISTRIBUTION; BIOTRANSFORMATION; elimination; and DRUG TOXICITY as a function of dosage, and rate of METABOLISM. LADMER, ADME and ADMET are abbreviations for liberation, absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination, and toxicology.	ADME,ADME-Tox,ADMET,Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Elimination, and Toxicology,Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Elimination,Drug Kinetics,Kinetics, Drug,LADMER,Liberation, Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Elimination, and Response
D004847	Epithelial Cells	Cells that line the inner and outer surfaces of the body by forming cellular layers (EPITHELIUM) or masses. Epithelial cells lining the SKIN; the MOUTH; the NOSE; and the ANAL CANAL derive from ectoderm; those lining the RESPIRATORY SYSTEM and the DIGESTIVE SYSTEM derive from endoderm; others (CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM and LYMPHATIC SYSTEM) derive from mesoderm. Epithelial cells can be classified mainly by cell shape and function into squamous, glandular and transitional epithelial cells.	Adenomatous Epithelial Cells,Columnar Glandular Epithelial Cells,Cuboidal Glandular Epithelial Cells,Glandular Epithelial Cells,Squamous Cells,Squamous Epithelial Cells,Transitional Epithelial Cells,Adenomatous Epithelial Cell,Cell, Adenomatous Epithelial,Cell, Epithelial,Cell, Glandular Epithelial,Cell, Squamous,Cell, Squamous Epithelial,Cell, Transitional Epithelial,Cells, Adenomatous Epithelial,Cells, Epithelial,Cells, Glandular Epithelial,Cells, Squamous,Cells, Squamous Epithelial,Cells, Transitional Epithelial,Epithelial Cell,Epithelial Cell, Adenomatous,Epithelial Cell, Glandular,Epithelial Cell, Squamous,Epithelial Cell, Transitional,Epithelial Cells, Adenomatous,Epithelial Cells, Glandular,Epithelial Cells, Squamous,Epithelial Cells, Transitional,Glandular Epithelial Cell,Squamous Cell,Squamous Epithelial Cell,Transitional Epithelial Cell
D005772	Gastrointestinal Transit	Passage of food (sometimes in the form of a test meal) through the gastrointestinal tract as measured in minutes or hours. The rate of passage through the intestine is an indicator of small bowel function.	GI Transit,GI Transits,Gastrointestinal Transits,Transit, GI,Transit, Gastrointestinal,Transits, GI,Transits, Gastrointestinal
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006863	Hydrogen-Ion Concentration	The normality of a solution with respect to HYDROGEN ions; H+. It is related to acidity measurements in most cases by pH	pH,Concentration, Hydrogen-Ion,Concentrations, Hydrogen-Ion,Hydrogen Ion Concentration,Hydrogen-Ion Concentrations
D000284	Administration, Oral	The giving of drugs, chemicals, or other substances by mouth.	Drug Administration, Oral,Administration, Oral Drug,Oral Administration,Oral Drug Administration,Administrations, Oral,Administrations, Oral Drug,Drug Administrations, Oral,Oral Administrations,Oral Drug Administrations
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D041981	Gastrointestinal Tract	Generally refers to the digestive structures stretching from the MOUTH to ANUS, but does not include the accessory glandular organs (LIVER; BILIARY TRACT; PANCREAS).	Digestive Tract,GI Tract,Digestive Tracts,GI Tracts,Gastrointestinal Tracts
D048330	Trichosurus	A genus of brush-tailed possums found chiefly in Australia and New Zealand. Secretions from their ANAL GLAND function both in defense and demarcating territory.	Possums, Brush-Tailed,Trichosurus vulpecula,Brush-Tailed Possum,Brush-Tailed Possums,Possum, Brush-Tailed,Possums, Brush Tailed