Parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA) is an in vitro technique used to predict the passive permeability of drugs across biological membranes, particularly the blood-brain barrier (BBB) or intestinal barrier. It involves the use of artificial lipid bilayers that mimic the properties of biological membranes and can be used to assess a compound's ability to cross these barriers.
In PAMPA, a drug or compound is applied to a donor compartment, which is separated from an acceptor compartment by an artificial membrane. The membrane consists of a lipid film immobilized on a filter and is usually composed of lipids similar to those found in biological membranes. The drug molecules can then permeate through the membrane and into the acceptor compartment.
The rate at which the compound crosses the membrane is determined by factors such as lipophilicity, molecular size, and charge. The compound's permeability can be quantified by measuring its concentration in the acceptor compartment over time. Higher concentration in the acceptor compartment indicates higher permeability.
PAMPA is a high-throughput screening method that can provide a rapid and cost-effective assessment of a compound's permeability. It has been applied in drug discovery and development to prioritize compounds with optimal membrane permeability for further evaluation in pharmacokinetic studies and to identify potential drug candidates with favorable BBB or intestinal permeability.
