Lipid-based formulations (LBFs) is a formulation strategy for enabling oral delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs. However, current use of this strategy is limited to a few percent of the marketed products. Reasons for that are linked to the complexity of LBFs, chemical instability of pre-dissolved drug and a limited understanding of the influence of LBF intestinal digestion on drug absorption. The aim of this study was to explore intestinal drug solubilization from a long-chain LBF, and evaluate whether coadministration of LBF is as efficient as a lipid-based drug formulation containing the pre-dissolved model drug carvedilol. Thus, solubility studies of this weak base were performed in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) and aspirated dog intestinal fluid (DIF). DIF was collected from duodenal stomas after dosing of water and two levels (1 g and 2 g) of LBF. Similarly, the in vitro SIF solubility studies were conducted prior to, and after addition of, undigested or digested LBF. The DIF fluid was further characterized for lipid digestion products (free fatty acids) and bile salts. Subsequently, carvedilol was orally administered to dogs in a lipid-based drug formulation and coadministered with LBF, and drug plasma exposure was assessed. In addition to these studies, in vitro drug absorption from the different formulation approaches were evaluated in a lipolysis-permeation device, and the obtained data was used to evaluate the in vitro in vivo correlation. The results showed elevated concentrations of free fatty acids and bile salts in the DIF when 2 g of LBF was administered, compared to only water. As expected, the SIF and DIF solubility data revealed that carvedilol solubilization increased by the presence of lipids and lipid digestion products. Moreover, coadministration of LBF and drug demonstrated equal plasma exposure to the lipid-based drug formulation. Furthermore, evaluation of in vitro absorption resulted in the same rank order for the LBFs as in the in vivo dog study. In conclusion, this study demonstrated increased intestinal solubilization from a small amount of LBF, caused by lipid digestion products and bile secretion. The outcomes also support the use of coadministration of LBF as a potential dosing regimen in cases where it is beneficial to have the drug in the solid form, e.g. due to chemical instability in the lipid vehicle. Finally, the in vitro lipolysis-permeation used herein established IVIVC for carvedilol in the presence of LBFs.
