Mathematical modeling of molecular diffusion through mucus

Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2009 Feb 27;61(2):101-14. doi: 10.1016/j.addr.2008.09.006. Epub 2008 Dec 16.

Abstract

The rate of molecular transport through the mucus gel can be an important determinant of efficacy for therapeutic agents delivered by oral, intranasal, intravaginal/rectal, and intraocular routes. Transport through mucus can be described by mathematical models based on principles of physical chemistry and known characteristics of the mucus gel, its constituents, and of the drug itself. In this paper, we review mathematical models of molecular diffusion in mucus, as well as the techniques commonly used to measure diffusion of solutes in the mucus gel, mucus gel mimics, and mucosal epithelia.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chemical Phenomena
  • Diffusion
  • Humans
  • Macromolecular Substances / pharmacokinetics
  • Models, Biological
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Mucus / chemistry
  • Mucus / metabolism
  • Mucus / physiology*
  • Viscosity

Substances

  • Macromolecular Substances