Discipline: Mathematics and Statistics
Subcategory: Biomedical Engineering
Linh Tran - North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Co-Author(s): Arie Walker and Zanah Marshall, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, NC
The purpose of this research is to quantitatively analyze the distribution of chemicals throughout the body using various methods of delivery. The drug delivery methods investigated include inhalation, ingestion, and intravenous injection. A Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Model is utilized to depict the behavior of the multiple drug delivery methods in mice. This model consists of a series of differential equations, which can be used to predict the concentration, distribution, and metabolism of synthetic or natural chemical substances in the body. Ultimately, researchers use this type of model to estimate the internal dose of toxic chemicals and their metabolites in target organs and tissues. This project will focus on the assessment of chemical distribution from the three methods of exposure. A combination of experimental data and results from mathematical modeling will be used to evaluate changes in internal chemical concentration over an extended period of time for each delivery method. This analysis will reflect the rate of change in the tissues based on the same dose of chemical being introduced through the various routes of exposure, and metabolism within the body. Results can then be used to identify any correlation between drug disposition and delivery intake method. The results of this study are as follows: 1) Under the assumptions of this modeling effort, there is no relationship between the route of administration and the effects of chemical transport throughout the body and 2) each compartment is affected differently when exposed to chemicals.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): National Science Foundation HRD #1036299
Faculty Advisor: Nicholas Luke,