PROMOTION OF INTESTINAL DRUG ABSORPTION BY MILK-FAT GLOBULE-MEMBRANE

A soybean oil emulsion was prepared by using milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) materials as an emulsifier. Its stability and effect on the intestinal absorption of vitamin D3, amphotericin B and kanamycin were studied. The MFGM emulsion was as highly stable as a Tween 80 emulsion. When the MFGM emulsion was sonicated with ultrasonic disrupter, the emulsion became more stable. Quantification of vitamin D3 in the intestinal lymph indicated that the MFGM emulsion enhanced lymphatic absorption of vitamin D3. The recovered percentage of vitamin D3 emulsified with MFGM in the lymph was 1.4 times that by Tween 80, and 2.5 times that of oil-in-water suspension. Statistically significant difference was found among them (p < 0.05). The volumes of an oil phase in the emulsion affected the absorption of vitamin D3. The recovered percentage of vitamin D3 from the lymph increased with reducing the volume of the oil phase. Sonication of the emulsion did not affect the intestinal drug absorption. Furthermore, the MFGM emulsion had no effect on the intestinal absorption of amphotericin B and kanamycin.