| RESEARCH ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2013 | Volume
: 45
| Issue : 4 | Page : 325-329 |
Development of an in vitro cell culture model to study milk to plasma ratios of therapeutic drugs
Maithili A Athavale1, Anurupa Maitra1, Shahnaz Patel1, Vijay R Bhate2, Villi S Toddywalla1
1 National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health (ICMR), Mumbai, India
2 Analytical Solutions, Navi Mumbai, India
Correspondence Address:
Anurupa Maitra
National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health (ICMR), Mumbai
India
 Source of Support: Indian Council of Medical Research, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0253-7613.114994
Objective: To create an in vitro cell culture model to predict the M/P (concentration of drug in milk/concentration in maternal plasma) ratios of therapeutic drugs viz. rifampicin, theophylline, paracetamol, and aspirin.
Materials and Methods: An in vitro cell culture model using CIT3 cells (mouse mammary epithelial cells) was created by culturing the cells on transwells. The cells formed an integral monolayer, allowing only transcellular transport as it happens in vivo. Functionality of the cells was confirmed through scanning electron microscopy. Time wise transfer of the study drugs from plasma to milk was studied and compared with actual (in vivo) M/P ratios obtained at reported t max for the respective drugs.
Results: The developed model mimicked two important intrinsic factors of mammary epithelial cells viz. secretory and tight-junction properties and also the passive route of drug transport. The in vitro M/P ratios at reported t max were 0.23, 0.61, 0.87, and 0.03 respectively, for rifampicin, theophylline, paracetamol, and salicylic acid as compared to 0.29, 0.65, 0.65, and 0.22, respectively, in vitro.
Conclusion: Our preliminary effort to develop an in vitro physiological model showed promising results. Transfer rate of the drugs using the developed model compared well with the transfer potential seen in vivo except for salicylic acid, which was transferred in far lower concentration in vitro. The model has a potential to be developed as a non-invasive alternative to the in vitro technique for determining the transfer of therapeutic drugs into breast milk.
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