依托泊苷长循环热敏前体脂质体的制备与表征

目的研究依托泊苷长循环热敏前体脂质体的制备并对其性质进行考察。方法采用薄膜分散法制备依托泊苷长循环热敏脂质体,再用冷冻干燥技术制备依托泊苷长循环热敏前体脂质体。利用zeta电势测定仪、高效液相色谱等技术对该脂质体的粒径、电位、包封率、载药量、稳定性、释放度等进行系统的研究。结果依托泊苷长循环热敏前体脂质体水合后形成依托泊苷长循环热敏脂质体,粒径均值为(108.6±3.6)nm,Zeta电位的均值为(-12.2±1.8)mV,包封率可达96.2%;该脂质体在相变温度42℃下药物释放达到95%以上。结论依托泊苷长循环热敏前体脂质体的制备工艺稳定,载药量大,包封率高。含量及其包封率测定方法简单、快速、准确。本实验可为依托泊苷静脉注射用热敏脂质体新制剂的开发提供研究基础。     

超声引发抗肿瘤药物定时定量释放

研究超声对于高分子聚合物Pluronic P-105载药缓释系统的影响作用。方法配制不同浓度的P-105溶液,研究P-105溶胶-凝胶转化点及其影响因素。构建P-105载米托蒽醌水凝胶系统,将水凝胶暴露于不同频率与功率的超声波作用下,一定时间后,用PBS缓冲液冲洗水凝胶,根据缓冲液中米托蒽醌的紫外吸光值计算得出超声引发的药物的释放量。结果P-105的溶胶-凝胶转化点受P-105的浓度及外界环境温度的影响。在浓度低于26%的区域或较低温度时没有凝胶形成,浓度高于26%或者温度接近人体正常体温(或高于体温)时即为凝胶。P-105载药系统中药物的释放量与超声波的频率与功率有关,释放量随着超声功率增加而增加,随频率增加而降低。结论超声可以引发高分子聚合物Pluronic P-105载药系统的药物定时定量释放。     

可控释放纳米载体在癌症治疗中的研究进展

癌症治疗的靶向分子药物的设计与构建,是目前生物医学领域的研究前沿热点之一。靶向药物载体的构建,是通过药物直接加载靶向生物分子或者利用载体自身特性,使化疗药物可以到达并富集在特定组织,所以也被称为"分子火车"。纳米药物的研究已经从单靶向发展到多靶向,实现从单一功能到多功能的应用。单纯的被动释放药物的载体颗粒在复杂的细胞微环境中缺乏精确治疗。因此通过构建带有可控释放特性的纳米药物载体,不仅能有效的提高药物在靶向部位的药物浓度,加强药效,而且还能降低对非靶向组织的毒副作用,提高纳米药物的安全性。常用的控制纳米药物释放的方式包括pH响应,酶响应,光响应,磁响应等。本文主要介绍构建可控药物释放纳米载体的研究进展。     

肿瘤的超声波治疗

文中就超声波热疗,高强度聚焦超声以及低频超声波在肿瘤治疗中的应用进行了描述。早期主要是利用超声波的热效应来治疗肿瘤,近年来兴起的高强度聚焦超声是热疗法的另一发展。它瞬间使肿瘤组织温度升至65℃以上,导致靶区组织凝固和坏死来达到对肿瘤的“热切除”,是一种安全、有效的肿瘤治疗手段,具有无限潜力。尽管低频超声治疗肿瘤的机制尚不明了,但因其可以诱导细胞凋亡,为肿瘤的治疗提供了新的途径,其治疗作用已受到重视。     

肿瘤的超声波治疗

文中就超声波热疗,高强度聚焦超声以及低频超声波在肿瘤治疗中的应用进行了描述。早期主要是利用超声波的热效应来治疗肿瘤,近年来兴起的高强度聚焦超声是热疗法的另一发展。它瞬间使肿瘤组织温度升至65℃以上,导致靶区组织凝固和坏死来达到对肿瘤的“热切除”,是一种安全、有效的肿瘤治疗手段,具有无限潜力。尽管低频超声治疗肿瘤的机制尚不明了,但因其可以诱导细胞凋亡,为肿瘤的治疗提供了新的途径,其治疗作用已受到重视。     

刺激响应型纳米载体在肿瘤诊疗中的研究进展

刺激响应型纳米载体是通过对外界刺激响应而产生相应结构或理化性质变化的纳米智能载药体系,具有避免药物过早泄露,提高病灶药物浓度的特点,目前已成为肿瘤诊断和治疗领域的研究热点,广泛用于控制药物的呈递和释放.本文从温度、磁场、超声、光、pH等外源和内源刺激角度,阐述了智能响应型纳米载体近年来在肿瘤诊疗领域的研究进展.     

超声造影剂协同下的高强度聚焦超声对包虫原头蚴酶活性的影响

为探索高强度聚焦超声结合适宜比例的微泡造影剂对离体细粒棘球绦虫原头蚴酶活性的影响,实验分离包虫原头蚴,在原头蚴悬液中加入比例为1:80的微泡造影剂(含氟脂质体微泡),以声功率为50W的高强度聚焦超声波辐照30s,辐照后悬液涂片作酶组织化学染色,检测原头蚴三磷酸腺苷酶、葡萄糖-6-磷酸酶和琥珀酸脱氢酶的活性。结果显示,超声剂量相同时,微泡造影剂组的原头蚴三磷酸腺苷酶和琥珀酸脱氢酶活性明显低于单纯超声辐照组(P<0.05);葡萄糖-6-磷酸酶活性有一定降低;阴性对照组无酶反应物产生。高强度聚焦超声结合微泡造影剂能增强对离体原头蚴三磷酸腺苷酶和琥珀酸脱氢酶活性的抑制作用。     

靶向敏感免疫脂质体药物释放机理的初步研究

本文利用浊度测量和~(31)P核磁共振(~(31)P-NMR)技术研究了靶向敏感兔疫脂质体(targea-sensitive immunoiposomes,TSIL)内含物的释放途径,结果表明药物穿膜释放与脂的多型性即由脂双层转变为非双层H_(11)相有关.     

基于频谱图像灰度共生矩阵的无损测温方法

本文提出了一种基于哈达玛变换的频谱图像灰度共生矩阵(Hadamard-GLCM)的高强度聚焦超声治疗无损测温方法。利用高强度聚焦超声辐照新鲜离体猪肉组织,获取辐照前后的B超图像的减影图像,采用Hadamard变换对其进行处理,获取频谱图像,将频谱图像的灰度共生矩阵惯性矩作为反应温度变化的信息参数。实验表明:不仅单组数据的Hadamard-GLCM惯性矩(HGMI)和温度能很好的线性拟合,而且多组数据的Hadamard-GLCM惯性矩与温度也成近似的线性关系,而且斜率非常接近,拟合度更接近1,误差小,对温度的分辨能力高,容错能力强,与传统的测温方法相比有着明显的优势,能为HIFU治疗过程中的无损测温提供有效的实时依据。     

高强度聚焦超声治疗中测温技术的研究

高强度聚焦超声(HIFU)是一种新兴的非侵入性局部治疗技术,它以其治疗中安全、有效、无创的优点被医学界所关注.然而,对生物组织温度的准确测量是制约该治疗技术发展的关健环节,因此,HIFU治疗中的测温技术成为人们关注的热点.本文主要介绍了近年来在HIFU治疗中,测温技术的研究现状以及两大测温方法(无损测温和有损测温),并对测温技术的发展进行展望.     

Optimization of Drug Loading Procedures and Characterization of Liposomal Formulations of Two Novel Agents Intended for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT)

Abstract

The characterization of two liposomal formulations of boronated DNA-interacting agents has been performed. It is shown that the two boronated drugs, WSA-Water Soluble Acridine and WSP-Water Soluble Phenantridine, can be encapsulated within unilamellar sterically stabilized liposomes with high drug-to-lipid ratios (up to 0.50:1 (mol:mol)), using transmembrane pH gradients. The steric stabilization of the liposomes was accomplished by the addition of DSPE-PEG(2000) (PEG-lipid) to DSPC/Cho lipid mixtures and the composition used was DSPC: Cho: DSPE-PEG 55:40:5 (moI%). The loading of the drugs resulted in drug precipitation in the liposomal aqueous core as observed by cryo-transmission electron microscopy (c-TEM). Moreover, it is shown that when pH gradients across the bilayer were used for remote loading of WSP or when ammonium sulfate gradients were used for remote loading of WSA, the formation of small bilayer fragments (discs) was induced. We present compelling evidence that the formation of discs is a consequence of precipitate growth in the liposomal interior. The precipitate growth causes some of the liposomes to rupture resulting in the above mentioned disc-formation and a substantial decrease in trapping efficiency. The in vitro stability of the drug loaded liposomes was excellent, both in buffer and in 25% human serum. For most of the formulations, the release of the drugs was below or around 10% after 24 hours at 37^oC. Furthermore, the influence of initial internal pH and internal buffering capacity on release properties of WSA and WSP were investigated. It is shown that the release profiles of the drugs can be controlled, to a large extent, by varying the composition of the internal liposomal aqueous phase.     

Development of a liposomal delivery system for temperature-triggered release of a tumor targeting agent, Ln(III)-DOTA-phenylboronate

Liposomes, capable of temperature-triggered content release at the site of interest, can be of great importance for imaging and therapy of tumors. The delivery of imaging agents or therapeutics can be improved by application of liposomes with a gel-to-liquid phase-transition temperature suitable for mild hyperthermia (41-43 °C), and by prolonging their circulation time by incorporation of lipids containing polyethyleneglycol moieties. Still, the rapid wash out of the delivered material from the tumor tissue is a major obstacle for both imaging and therapy. In this study, we developed an optimized temperature sensitive liposomal system to be used with mild hyperthermia: highly stable at physiological temperature and with a sharp transition of the bilayer at 41.5 °C, with subsequent rapid release of entrapped compounds such as calcein or tumor cell-targeting contrast agents. Intravital microscopy on calcein/rhodamine containing liposomes was applied to demonstrate the applicability of this system in vivo. The calcein loaded liposomes were injected iv into nude mice with a human BLM melanoma tumor implanted in a dorsal skin-fold window chamber. Arrival of the liposomes at the tumor site and content release after temperature increase were monitored. The results demonstrated not only accumulation of the liposomes at the tumor site, but also a massive release of calcein after increase of the temperature to 41 °C. The versatility of the thermosensitive liposomes was further demonstrated by encapsulation of a tumor cell-targeting DOTA-phenylboronate conjugate and its release at elevated temperatures. The DOTA ligand in this system is able to chelate a variety of metals suitable for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications, whereas the phenylboronate function is able to target specifically to tumor cells through a covalent binding with sialic acid moieties over-expressed on their surface upon heat-triggered release from the liposomal carrier.     

Liposomal Anticancer Drugs as Agents to be used in Combination with other Anticancer Agents: Studies on a Liposomal Formulation with two Encapsulated Drugs

Abstract

When considering the use of combination therapies with liposomal anticancer agents several approaches can be defined. One approach could rely on administration of one liposomal formulation with more than one entrapped cytotoxic drug. This study focuses on an assessment of a liposomal formulation containing vincristine and mitoxantrone. Distearoyl phosphatidylcholine (DSPC)/Cholesterol (Choi) (55:45 molar ratio) liposomes were loaded with vincristine using transmembrane pH gradients. These systems were subsequently incubated with mitoxantrone to effect uptake of the second drug. Retention of both drugs was determined in vitro and in vivo. In vitro drug release indicated >95% retention of mitoxantrone and approximately 75% retention of vincristine when liposomes were prepared with an initial interior pH of 2.0. In vivo results however, demonstrated that greater than 80% of the encapsulated vincristine was released within 1 hour following i.v. administration. The instability of a liposomal formulation containing two anticancer drugs following i.v. administration may be a consequence of a combination of factors including drug-loading induced collapse of the transmembrane pH gradient, loss due to osmotic effects and an associated insertion of serum proteins into the bilayer, as well as the presence of a large biological “sink” which can alter the transbilayer drug gradient in favor of drug release.     

Echinococcus granulosus: Protoscolicidal effect of high intensity focused ultrasound

High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a new non-invasive technique which can cause cell death and tissue necrosis by focusing high-energy ultrasonic waves on a single location. The aim of our work is to investigate the damaging effect of HIFU on Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices, as well as its inhibitory effect on growth of hydatid cysts derived from protoscolices. The damaging effect of HIFU on protoscolices was investigated by following parasite mortality after irradiation, while the inhibitory effect was investigated by infection experiments in vivo. The results demonstrated that HIFU was able to damage protoscolices and the protoscolicidal effect was dose-dependent and showed late-onset. The growth of protoscolices that survived the exposure to HIFU was obviously suppressed in vitro, and the mean weight of hydatid cysts resulting from such protoscolices in the experimental group was less than that in controls. Evidences including the protoscolicidal effect, fragmentized protoscolices and low post exposure temperatures, suggest that cavitation may contribute to the protoscolicidal effect of HIFU. In addition, the structure of the germinal membrane in cysts developing from the irradiated protoscolices was not as normal or intact as that from non-irradiated ones, and morphological changes related to degeneration were observed, suggesting that HIFU could prevent protoscolices from developing normal germinal membrane and consequently stop the proliferation of secondary hydatid cysts. HIFU demonstrated damaging effect on protoscolices, inhibited the growth of protoscolices in vitro and in vivo, and could be a possible therapeutic option for cystic echinococcosis.     

Liposomal membrane. I. Chemical damage of liposomal membranes with functional detergent

The interaction and reaction between liposomal membrane and a functional detergent, N-hexadecyl-N-(imidazol-4-yl)methyl-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride hydroperchlorate (Im-I), have been investigated in conjunction with the leakage of bromothymol blue encapsulated as a marker in the bilayers of liposomes. Im-I carries an imidazole moiety and was expected to behave as a simple lipase model. The reaction with Im-I significantly enhanced the leakage of bromothymol blue encapsulated in the egg lecithin and dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine liposomes. During the course of reaction with Im-I, the formation of acyl-imidazole intermediate was clearly identified, which was certainly connected with the bromothymol blue release. From various kinetic results on bromothymol blue release and acyl-imidazole formation, it has been suggested that the bromothymol blue release from liposomal bilayer may be caused by the local and instantaneous decomposition of lipids when Im-I penetrates into the bilayer. However, it has also been demonstrated that the immediate reconstruction of liposomes retains the barrier function to protect against the further release of bromothymol blue.     

Temperature-sensitive poly(N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide mono/dilactate)-coated liposomes for triggered contents release

We prepared thermosensitive poly( N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide mono/dilactate) (pHPMA mono/dilactate) polymer and studied temperature-triggered contents release from polymer-coated liposomes. HPMA mono/dilactate polymer was synthesized with a cholesterol anchor suitable for incorporation in the liposomal bilayers and with a cloud point (CP) temperature of the polymer slightly above normal body temperature (42 degrees C). Dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements showed that whereas the size of noncoated liposomes remained stable upon raising the temperature from 25 to 46 degrees C, polymer-coated liposomes aggregated around 43 degrees C. Also, noncoated liposomes loaded with calcein showed hardly any leakage of the fluorescent marker when heated to 46 degrees C. However, polymer-coated liposomes showed a high degree of temperature-triggered calcein release above the CP of the polymer. Likely, liposome aggregation and bilayer destabilization are triggered because of the precipitation of the thermosensitive polymer above its CP onto the liposomal bilayers, followed by permeabilization of the liposomal membrane. This study demonstrates that liposomes surface-modified with HPMA mono/dilactate copolymer are attractive systems for achieving temperature-triggered contents release.     

Flurbiprofen release from eudragit RS and RL aqueous nanosuspensions: a kinetic study by DSC and dialysis experiments

The present work investigated the release of Flurbiprofen (FLU) from Eudragit RS100 (RS) and Eudragit RL100 (RL) nanosuspensions to a biological model membrane consisting of Dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) multilamellar vesicles (MLV). This release was compared with those observed from solid drug particles as well as with dialysis experiments. Nanosuspensions were prepared by a modification of Quasi-Emulsion Solvent Diffusion technique. Drug release was monitored by the Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). FLU dispersed in MLV affects the transition temperature (T(m)) of DMPC liposomes, causing a shift towards lower values. The temperature shift is modulated by the drug fraction present in the aqueous lipid bilayer suspension. DSC was also performed, after increasing incubation periods at 37 degrees C, on suspensions of blank liposomes added to fixed amounts of unloaded and FLU-loaded nanosuspensions, as well as to powdered free drug. T(m) shifts, caused by the drug released from the polymeric system or by free-drug dissolution during incubation cycles, were compared with those caused by free drug increasing molar fractions dispersed directly in the membrane during their preparation. These results were compared with the drug release and were followed by a classical dialysis technique. Comparing the suitability of the 2 different techniques in order to follow the drug release as well as the differences between the 2 RL and RS polymer systems, it is possible to confirm the efficacy of DSC in studying the release from polymeric nanoparticulate systems compared with the "classical" release test by dialysis. The different rate of kinetic release could be due to void liposomes, which represent a better uptaking system than aqueous solution in dialysis experiments.     

Polymer actuator valves toward controlled drug delivery application

A novel controlled drug delivery system in which drug release is achieved by electrochemically actuating an array of polymeric valves on a set of drug reservoirs has been developed. The valves are bilayer structures, made in shape of a flap hinged on one side to a valve seat, consisting of thin films of evaporated gold and electrochemically deposited polypyrrole (PPy). Drugs (dry or wet) were pre-stored in an array of these reservoirs and their release is accomplished by bending the bilayer flaps away from the substrate with a small applied bias. In vitro color dye release experiment has been conducted. Seventy-five percent less energy consumption was achieved with this bilayer polymer valve design to open a same size reservoir compared to metal-corrosion based valves. Complex release patterns such as multiple drug pulsatile release and continuous linear release have been successfully implemented through flexible control of valve actuation sequence. These valves can be actuated under closed-loop-control of sensors responding to a specific biological or environmental stimulus, leading to potential applications in advanced responsive drug delivery systems.     

Consequences of ions and pH on the supramolecular organization of sphingomyelin and sphingomyelin/cholesterol bilayers

For drug delivery purpose the anticancer drug S12363 was loaded into ESM/Chol-liposomes using either a pH or an ammonium gradient. Association between the drug and the liposome depends markedly on the liposome membrane structure. Thus, ESM and ESM/Chol bilayer organization had been characterized by coupled DSC and XRDT as a function of both cholesterol concentration and aqueous medium composition. ESM bilayers exhibited a ripple lamellar gel phase P(beta') below the melting temperature and adopted a L(beta)-like gel phase upon Chol insertion. Supramolecular organization of ESM and ESM/Chol bilayers was not modified by citrate buffer or ammonium sulfate solution whatever the pH (3< or = pH < or =7). Nevertheless, in ESM bilayer, ammonium sulfate salt induced a peculiar organization of head groups, leading to irregular d-spacing and weakly correlated bilayers. Moreover, in the presence of salts, a weakening of van der Waals attraction forces was seen and led to a swelling of the water layer.     

Inhibitory effect of 5-FU loaded ultrasound microbubbles on tumor growth and angiogenesis

The anti-neovascularization treatment is one of the effective strategies for tumor molecular target therapy. At present, the target and effect of the anti-neovascularization treatment is limited, and it is urgent to establish a new vascular targeting strategy to effectively treat tumors. In this work, we used high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) combined with targeted microbubbles to establish a molecular targeted ultrasound response microbubble for neovascular cells. Furthermore, the effects of drug loaded microbubbles on neovascularization and tumor cells were studied. The tumor vascular targeted and ultrasound-responsive microbubbles of 5-FU@DLL4-MBs were prepared by the thin-film dispersion method. The size and zeta potential of 5-FU@DLL4-MBs was about 1248 nm and −9.1 mV. 5-FU@DLL4-MBs released 5-FU showed an ultrasound-responsive manner, and had better vascular-targeting ability. Furthermore, the 5-FU@DLL4-MBs showed the strongest cytotoxic effect on HUVECs or HepG-2 cells and can be effectively internalized into the HUVECs cells. Thus, 5-FU@DLL4-MBs combined with HIFU can be considered as a potential method for antitumor angiogenesis in the future.