Which of the following factors does NOT decrease bioavailability?

Bioavailability refers to the proportion of a drug that enters the systemic circulation when introduced into the body. It is influenced by various factors that can enhance or diminish the amount of active drug available for therapeutic effect.

High lipid solubility is associated with increased bioavailability. Lipophilic (fat-soluble) drugs can easily penetrate cellular membranes, which often consist of lipid layers. This trait allows the drug to be successfully absorbed through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and into the bloodstream, avoiding barriers that might impede less lipid-soluble compounds. Therefore, a drug with high lipid solubility is more likely to achieve higher bioavailability compared to those that are hydrophilic (water-soluble) or have low solubility.

In contrast, factors such as the first-pass effect, incomplete absorption from the GI tract, and degree of ionization can all negatively impact bioavailability. The first-pass effect refers to the metabolism of a drug in the liver before it reaches systemic circulation, which can greatly reduce its active concentration. Incomplete absorption from the GI tract means that some of the drug does not pass into the bloodstream at all. Finally, the degree of ionization affects how well a drug is absorbed; drugs that are more ionized at physiological