Comparative permeability of some acyclovir derivatives through native mucus and crude mucin dispersions

The permeability of some guanine derivatives (acyclovir [ACV], deoxyacyclov ir [DCV], and their N-acetyl congeners) through native porcine mucus and cr ude porcine mucin dispersions (30% and 50% w/v) was investigated in two-com partment dialysis cells. High correlation between apparent permeability coe fficients P-app of tested substances determined in these two models was obs erved, although the examined compounds permeated faster through the native mucus. It was also established that P-app values decrease with increasing h ydrophilicity and molecular mass of the tested substances. Furthermore, the influence of some substances that affect mucus structure (cysteine, N-acet yleysteine [NCY], sodium taurocholate [ST], and sodium chloride) on the per meation rate of the examined compounds through mucus and mucin dispersions was examined. It was shown that the P-app values of guanine derivatives wer e generally lower after the addition of these substances to the native mucu s and mucin dispersions, although the lowering effect was more pronounced i n the case of native mucus.