Project

Characterisation of an obese piglet model to study drug dosing in obese children

Code
BOF/24J/2023/068
Duration
01 October 2023 → 30 September 2027
Funding
Regional and community funding: Special Research Fund
Research disciplines
  • Medical and health sciences
    • Paediatrics
    • Pharmacokinetics
  • Agricultural and food sciences
    • Veterinary pharmacology and toxicology
Keywords
obesity drug research piglet animal model
 
Project description

Despite the fact that the incidence of obesity amongst children is rising fast, the impact of this on drug pharmacokinetics (PK) in children is largely unknown. Consequently this vulnerable patient population remains deprived from evidence-based drug treatment. Performing pediatric drug research in special pediatric populations remains extremely challenging. Pigs are propagated as innovative juvenile animal model for reliable prediction of PK in children, also by regulator agencies. In this project we will develop a juvenile piglet model to assess the impact of body composition changes on drug PK (cefazolin and paracetamol) in piglets and children. Changes in renal function, hepatic metabolism and tissue penetration in piglets will be mapped. Comparison of collected data will allow to assess the suitability of the obese piglet model for studying drug PK in children. This contributes to provide a solution to the negligence of specific pediatric patient populations in drug development.