Studies on the Interactions Between Mucin and Surfactant Aggregates Containing the Cationic Surfactant Dodecyl Betainate

Abstract

The interactions of surfactant aggregates containing the cationic, cleavable surfactant dodecyl betainate (DB) with mucin are investigated. The aggregates were either mixed micelles of DB and the nonionic surfactant PS-80 in different ratios or a dispersion of the commercial self-emulsifying drug-delivery formulation Sandimmun Neoral “charged” with DB. It is found that for the surfactant aggregates to show any notable interactions with mucin these must have a high positive charge density. Also presented are results from Ussing chamber experiments, which suggest that DB has a limited impact on the integrity and the barrier function of the intestinal epithelium.

Keywords:

• Bioavailability
• cationic amphiphile
• microemulsion
• mucin
• self-emulsifying drug-delivery system

This work was financially supported by Camurus AB and the Foundation for Knowledge and Competence Development in Sweden (D.L.). Martina Johannesson is acknowledged for important contributions in the planning of the Ussing chamber experiments, and Maria Anderberg and Carina Schönbeck for performing them. Dr. Magali Deleu (Gembloux University, Belgium) is acknowledged for performing the zeta-potential measurements.

Notes

Part of the special issue, Surface and Colloid Chemistry Without Borders: An International Festschrift for Professor Per Stenius on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Dan Lundberg

Dan Lundberg is currently with the Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal