ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish and assess the Caco-2 cell in vitro absorption model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Caco-2 cells were cultured on the millipore filters fixed in Snapwell transport chamber. The cell morphology, transepithelial electrical resistance, mannitol efflux rate and alkaline phosphatase activities were monitored during culture.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 21 days of in vitro culture, formation of tight junction was observed between the cells. The transepithelial electrical resistance reach a relatively stable value of 620-/+47 Omega.cm(2), the mannitol efflux rate was lower than 0.3%.h(-1).cm(-2), and the alkaline phosphatase activity in the apical side was significantly higher than that in the basolateral side.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The established Caco-2 cell model shows similar morphology to intestinal epithelial cells with formation of polarity, and can be used as an in vitro model for absorption studies.</p>