Physiology and pharmacology of the brushtail possum gastrointestinal tract: relationship to the human gastrointestinal tract

Abstract

Oral formulations are typically based on studies from eutherian animal models. This review introduces information relating to oral formulations for a marsupial species, the Australian brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) that has arisen from research into new methods for controlling this species - a major vertebrate pest in New Zealand. Morphologically, the gastrointestinal tract of the brushtail possum is similar to that of hindgut fermenting eutherian species, but there are some striking differences in function. Limited data suggests that the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of administered drugs are similar to that in eutherian species, but there is some evidence that possums may have specific mechanisms for handling the intake of plant toxins and xenobiotics. The development of oral formulations for a free-ranging pest species presents several challenges above those encountered in the development of therapeutic formulations for humans and domestic animals. Use of a marsupial animal model may lead to new strategies for oral formulations in humans.