Author: Sophia Hoffmann
When we swallow a pill, we expect it to do its job. That means releasing the medicine at the right place and at the right time. For many modern treatments, this involves protecting the drug from stomach acid and ensuring it is released further down the digestive tract. Gastro-resistant capsules are designed to achieve this.
Before medicines reach people, they are usually tested in animals. Pigs are often chosen because their digestive systems are remarkably similar to those of humans. However, it is uncertain whether pigs handle larger gastro-resistant capsules in the same way as humans, as there have been cases where large capsules remained in the stomach of pigs for several days without passing through.
This piece is part of GENEGUT’s ongoing effort to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and public understanding. It highlights how cutting-edge laboratory research can have a real-world impact on how we treat chronic illnesses. Whether you’re new to the topic or already familiar with IBD, this post offers a clear and engaging look at how innovative tools are transforming biomedical research.
Evaluating drug absorption from enteric capsules in pigs: Impact of capsule size on gastric emptying
Sophia V. Hoffmann, Brendan T. Griffin, Vincent Jannin, Joseph P. O’Shea | European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Our recent study explored this challenge. We tested three gastro-resistant capsule sizes, known as sizes 0, 1 and 2, and compared them with standard tablets that release their contents in the stomach. To track how quickly the capsules emptied, we used familiar compounds such as paracetamol and caffeine. We also investigated whether metoclopramide, a medicine that speeds up digestion in humans, would make a difference in pigs.
The key findings were:
- All capsule sizes eventually emptied from the stomach and released their medicine, with absorption into the bloodstream taking on average between four and eight hours.
- Larger capsules took a little longer to leave the stomach, but the difference was not significant.
- Metoclopramide did not improve the emptying of capsules in pigs.
- Capsule emptying in pigs was slower than in humans, showing that animal studies do not always perfectly reflect human results.
Why does this matter? For scientists and companies developing new oral medicines, these results are encouraging. They show that pigs can be a model for testing capsule sizes that are relevant to real world use. At the same time, the slower emptying in pigs reminds us that animal data must be carefully interpreted when predicting how medicines will behave in humans.
In summary, capsule size has less impact than once feared. What matters most is choosing the right animal model and recognising its strengths and limitations. Research like this helps close the gap between early laboratory studies and safe, effective treatments for patients.