ACAT schematic

Fig. 18.3. ACAT model schematic. The diagram includes the consideration of six states (unreleased, undissolved, dissolved, degraded, metabolized, and absorbed), 18 compartments [nine gastrointestinal (stomach, seven small intestine, and colon) and nine...

Figure 10.2 Schematic diagram of the advanced compartmental absorption and transit (ACAT) model [18].

Figure 6.4 Schematic of the ACAT model. Reprinted from [176] with permission from Elsevier.

We have developed a two-step procedure for the in silico screening of compound libraries based on biopharmaceutical property estimation linked to a mechanistic simulation of GI absorption. The first step involves biopharmaceutical property estimation by application of machine learning procedures to empirical data modeled with a set of molecular descriptors derived from 2D and 3D molecular structures. In silico methods were used to estimate such biopharmaceutical properties as effective human jejunal permeability, cell culture permeability, aqueous solubility, and molecular diffusivity. In the second step, differential equations for the advanced compartmental absorption and transit model were numerically integrated to determine the rate, extent, and approximate GI location of drug liberation (for controlled release), dissolution, and absorption. Figure 17.3 shows the schematic diagram of the ACAT model in which each one of the arrows represents an ordinary differential equation (ODE). 

Fig. 8. A schematic diagram showing cellular processes known to require SCP2. The reactions in cholesterol biosynthesis and esterification have been shown for liver. The reactions involving cholesterol transport from cytoplasmic lipid inclusion droplets to mitochondria have been demonstrated in endocrine tissues. Choi and C. cholesterol ACAT, acyl-CoA cholesterol acyl transferase C.E., cholesterol ester SEH, sterol ester hydrolase (hormone-dependent) P-450s,, cytochrome P-450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme PREG, pregnenolone.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of a cell which shows the known sites in which sterol carrier proteins are involved in cholesterol biosynthesis, utilization and intracellular transfer. SCP, participates in the conversion of squalene to lanosterol and SCP2 participates in the conversion of lanosterol to cholesterol, the conversion of cholesterol to cholesterol ester by ACAT, and probably also in the conversion of cholesterol to 7a-hydroxycholesterol. SCPj transfers cholesterol from cytoplasmic lipid inclusion droplets to mitochondria in the adrenal and SCPj also translocates cholesterol from the outer to the inner mitochondrial membrane. 

Studies of this type have provided evidence for several different cellular pathways of CE metabohsm (see also Chapter 2). A major pathway, typical of cells such as fibroblasts [97], is shown schematically in Fig. 1. Plasma lipoproteins that contain CE and apohpoproteins B and/or E adsorb to specific apohpoprotein receptors on the cell surface, and are subsequently internalized by receptor-mediated endocytosis. Endocytotic vesicles containing the hpoproteins then fuse with lysosomes, whose enzymes catalyze lipoprotein hydrolysis. Lysosomal acid CEH catalyzes the hydrolysis of lipoprotein CE. The UC released then transfers across the lysosomal membrane and becomes available for synthetic processes within the cell. Excess UC entering the cytoplasm is converted into CE by the ACAT reaction, but can be released upon demand through the action of neutral CEH. 

Scheme 113.1 Schematic overview of cholesterol metabolism and main proposed mechanisms of action of phytosterols. 1. The absorption of dietary and/or biliary cholesterol is reduced by competition with PS for incorporation into mixed micelles. 2. Esterification of free cholesterol in the enterocyte is reduced by competition with PS for ACAT-2 enzyme. 3. Upregulation of the heterodimer ABCG5/G8 by PS can increase intestinal and hepato-biliar secretion. 4. Upregulation of ABCAl by PS can increase the incorporation of sterols into nascent HDL. 5. Increased cholesterol excretion via TICE. 6. Although it is not directly mediated by PS, the lower levels of hepatic cholesterol can lead to a lower VLDL secretion and upregulation of LDL receptor, which improves the clearance of plasma cholesterol. Abbreviations FC free cholesterol, CE cholesterol esters, ACAT-2 Acyl-CoA cholesterol O-acyltransferase 2, CM chylomicron, CMR chylomicron remnant, TICE transintestinal cholesterol efflux, LDL low-density lipoprotein, IDL intermediate-density lipoprotein, HDL high-density lipoprotein...

Schematic representation of the synthesis of ACAT and electroactive polyimide/clay nanocomposite (EPCN). 

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