title: Structure and behavior in hydrophilic matrix sustained release dosage forms: 4. Studies of water mobility and diffusion coefficients in the gel layer of HPMC tablets using NMR imaging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to characterise the water mobility in the gel layer of hydrating HPMC tablets. Water mobility in the gel layer of different HPMCs was studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  NMR imaging, a non-invasive technique, has been used to measure the spatial distribution of self-diffusion coefficient (SDC) and T2 relaxation times across the gel layer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It has been shown that there is a water mobility gradient across the gel layer of HPMC tablets. Although SDC and T2 relaxation times in the outer parts of the gel layer approached that of free water, in the inner parts they decreased progressively. Water mobility and SDC in the gel layer of different HPMCs appeared to vary with degree of substitution of the polymer and the lowest values were obtained across the gel layer of K4M tablets.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Water mobility varies across the gel layer of hydrating HPMC tablets and it is dependent on the degree of substitution of the polymer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Nottingham University, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Rajabi-Siahboomi
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Bowtell
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mansfield
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Melia
mesh_terms: D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000737:chemistry*; D005782:Gels; D065347:Hypromellose Derivatives; D007700:Kinetics; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods; D008747:Methylcellulose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013607:Tablets; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005782:Gels; D013607:Tablets; D014867:Water; D065347:Hypromellose Derivatives; D008747:Methylcellulose