The oral absorption of phospholipid prodrugs: in vivo and in vitro mechanistic investigation of trafficking of a lecithin-valproic acid conjugate following oral administration.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the oral absorption characteristics of a phospholipid-drug conjugate, comprising direct conjugation between the lecithin and the drug moiety through the sn-2 position. We investigated the mechanisms involved with the trafficking of this conjugate following oral administration in the gastrointestinal (GI) lumen, within the enterocyte and further. A phospholipid-valproic acid conjugate (DP-VPA) was utilized as a model molecule.