In vitro release of heparin from silica xerogels.

Heparin, a powerful anticoagulant used for the prophylaxis of both surgical and medical thrombosis, was incorporated into a silica xerogel matrix during polycondensation of organic silicate. The influence of various chemical sol-gel parameters (the properties of reaction precursors, catalyst and final moisture content of the gel and heparin concentration) was studied. The release of heparin from the gel was according to zero order during the dissolution period and the release rate of heparin was proportional to the drug load in the concentration range between 6.8 and 13.6 wt%. It was found that the catalyst used for the preparation of the gel, the final moisture content and the chemical modification of silica xerogel network have an influence on the release rate of heparin. The released heparin from all the different xerogels studied retained about 90% of its biological activity.     

肝素对人肥大细胞组胺分泌的调节作用

目的　研究肝素对人肥大细胞组胺释放的影响。方法　经酶消化后的肺和扁桃体组织的细胞成份同肝素、抗人IgE抗体或钙离子导入剂共同培养 ,以特制的纤维玻璃为基础的方法测量组胺。结果　经 15和 4 5min培养 ,肝素对人肺和扁桃体组织肥大细胞组胺释放无明显影响。而将肝素与抗IgE抗体同时加入酶悬浮的肺肥大细胞中 (预培养时间为 0min) ,肝素可抑制 5 0 %的抗IgE抗体诱导的组胺释放 ,且抑制率与肝素浓度呈正相关。肝素对抗IgE抗体引起的扁桃体肥大细胞的组胺释放无抑制作用 ,对钙离子导入剂诱导的肺和扁桃体的肥大细胞组胺释放无明显影响。结论　本实验首次发现肝素可以抑制抗IgE抗体诱导的人肺肥大细胞组胺释放 ,因此在肺部的变态反应性炎症中可能起到一定的预防和治疗作用     

载万古霉素MSNs复合硫酸钙制备人工骨的缓释与抗菌作用研究

目的检测载万古霉素介孔二氧化硅纳米颗粒(MSNs)复合硫酸钙人工骨,延长万古霉素释放时间及其抑菌作用。方法分别制备相同载万古霉素量的Van-MSNs-CaSO4和Van-CaSO4颗粒,按0.1 g/mL比例浸泡于PBS溶液中,37℃恒温浸提,按不同时间点取浸提液,全量和半量更换新鲜PBS溶液,分别检测两种颗粒浸提液中的万古霉素含量,并取浸提液行抑菌试验,测量抑菌环大小,比较两种载药颗粒的持续释药时间及相同时间点浸提液的抑菌能力。结果全量更换PBS组Van-MSNs-CaSO4的释药时间为4 d,Van-CaSO4的释药时间为2 d;半量更换PBS组释药时间达35 d,Van-CaSO4的释药时间为14 d。抑菌环直径检测释出药物有抑菌作用。结论 Van-MSNs-CaSO4复合材料较Van-CaSO4可以明显延长万古霉素释放时间并具有抑菌活性。     

The control of cargo release from physically crosslinked hydrogels by crosslink dynamics

Controlled release of drugs and other cargo from hydrogels has been an important target for the development of next generation therapies. Despite the increasingly strong focus in this area of research, very little of the published literature has sought to develop a fundamental understanding of the role of molecular parameters in determining the mechanism and rate of cargo release. Herein, a series of physically crosslinked hydrogels have been prepared utilizing host-guest binding interactions of cucurbit[8]uril that are identical in strength (plateau modulus), concentration and structure, yet exhibit varying network dynamics on account of the use of different guests for supramolecular crosslinking. The diffusion of molecular cargo through the hydrogel matrix and the release characteristics from these hydrogels were investigated. It was determined that the release processes of the hydrogels could be directly correlated with the dynamics of the physical interactions responsible for crosslinking and corresponding time-dependent mesh size. These observations highlight that network dynamics play an indispensable role in determining the release mechanism of therapeutic cargo from a hydrogel, identifying that fine-tuning of the release characteristics can be gained through rational design of the molecular processes responsible for crosslinking in the carrier hydrogels.     

Effect of sustained heparin release from PCL/chitosan hybrid small-diameter vascular grafts on anti-thrombogenic property and endothelialization

Thrombus formation and subsequent occlusion are the main reasons for the failure of small-diameter vascular grafts. In this study, a hybrid small-diameter vascular graft was developed from synthetic polymer poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and natural polymer chitosan (CS) by the co-electrospinning technique. Heparin was immobilized on the grafts through ionic bonding between heparin and CS fibers. The immobilization was relatively stable, and heparin could continuously release from the grafts for more than 1 month. Heparin functionalization evidently improved the hemocompatibility of the PCL/CS vascular grafts, which was illustrated by the reduced platelet adhesion and prolonged coagulation time (activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time and thromboplastin time) as shown in the human plasma assay, and was further confirmed by the ex vivo arteriovenous shunt experiment. In vitro cell proliferation assay showed that heparin can promote the growth of human umbilical vein endothelial cells, while moderately inhibiting the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells, a main factor for neointimal hyperplasia. Implantation in rat abdominal aorta was performed for 1 month. Results indicate that sustained release of heparin provided optimal anti-thrombogenic effect by reducing thrombus formation and maintaining the patency. Furthermore, heparin functionalization also enhanced in situ endothelialization, thereby preventing the occurrence of restenosis. In conclusion, it provides a facile and useful technique for the development of heparinized medical devices, including vascular grafts.     

Mathematical modeling of drug release from nanostructured porous Si: Combining carrier erosion and hindered drug diffusion for predicting release kinetics

A novel, empirical, macroscopic model is developed to describe the release of a model anticancer drug, Mitoxantrone, from native and chemically modified porous Si (PSi) thin films. Drug release from these carriers results from a combination of two mechanisms, i.e. out-diffusion of the drug molecules and erosion of the Si scaffold. Thus, the proposed mathematical model adapts the Crank model to lump the effects of temporal changes in molecular interactions and carrier scaffold erosion into a comprehensive model of hindered drug diffusion from nanoscale porous systems. Careful characterization of pore size, porosity, surface area, drug loading, as well as Si scaffold degradation profiles, measured over the same time-scale as drug release, are incorporated into the model parameter estimation. A comparison of the experimental and model results shows accurate representation of the data, emphasizing the reliability of the model. The proposed model shows that drug diffusivity values significantly vary with time for the two studied carriers, which are ascribed to the distinctive role of the prevailing physical mechanisms in each system. Finally, secondary validation of the proposed model is demonstrated by showing adequate fit to published data of the release of dexamethasone from similar mesoporous Si carriers.     

Correlation between physicochemical properties of doxorubicin-loaded silica/polydimethylsiloxane xerogel and in vitro release of drug

The aim of this study was to prepare organically modified silica xerogels by a two-step acid/base catalyzed sol-gel process that would provide a slow release of an anticancer drug - doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX). The influence of different amounts of PDMS added on the properties of xerogels intended for the release of the drug and the dissolution of xerogels was investigated. SEM, BET, IR and nitrogen gas adsorption/desorption measurements were performed to characterize the microstructures and chemical properties of xerogels. It is shown that an increase in the proportion of PDMS in the silica network is associated with a decrease in bulk density, specific surface area, total volume of pores and proportion of silanol groups (higher hydrophobicity). These results also revealed the influence of PDMS on the release of doxorubicin hydrochloride and the dissolution behavior of xerogels. An increase in PDMS content results in a decrease in both the rate of drug release and dissolution of xerogels. After the release study, the changes of microstructures and physicochemical properties of these xerogels were also examined.     

Controlled release of doxorubicin from graphene oxide based charge-reversal nanocarrier

A number of anticancer drugs, such as doxorubicin (DOX), operate only after being transported into the nucleus of cancer cells. Thus it is essential for the drug carriers to effectively release the anticancer drugs into the cytoplasm of cancer cells and make them move to nucleus freely. Herein, a pH-responsive charge-reversal polyelectrolyte and integrin α_Ⅴβ₃ mono-antibody functionalized graphene oxide (GO) complex is constituted as a nanocarrier for targeted delivery and controlled release of DOX into cancer cells. The DOX loading and releasing in vitro demonstrates that this nanocarrier cannot only load DOX with high efficiency, but also effectively release it under mild acidic pH stimulation. Cellular toxicity assay, confocal laser scanning microscopy and flow cytometer analysis results together confirm that with the targeting nanocarrier, DOX can be selectively transported into the targeted cancer cells. Then they will be effectively released from the nanocarriers in cytoplasm and moved into the nucleus subsequently, stimulating by charge-reverse of the polyelectrolyte in acidic intracellular compartments. The effective delivery and release of the anticancer drugs into nucleus of the targeted cancer cells will lead to a high therapeutic efficiency. Hence, such a targeting nanocarrier prepared from GO and charge-reversal polyelectrolytes is likely to be an available candidate for targeted drug delivery in tumor therapy.     

缓释管组成结构对药物缓释速率的影响因素研究

为探究药物本身及缓释管组成结构等因素对药物缓释速率的影响,以孕酮、睾酮和雌二醇作为缓释试验药物,对硅胶缓释管的封堵方式、管长、管壁厚度以及所填充药物的方式等因素对药物缓释速率的影响进行了检测。实验结果表明,药物的结构对其本身的缓释速率具有决定性作用。硅胶缓释管的封堵方式、管长、管壁厚度及所填充药物的方式都对药物的缓释速率具有显著的调节作用,且调节作用的大小与药物本身缓释性能的大小成正比。另外,我们新研制的玻璃-硅胶缓释管释放面积小,药物储存能力大,特别适用于释放速率较快的药物在体内的长期缓释。     

LHT7, a chemically modified heparin,inhibits multiple stages of angiogenesis by blocking VEGF,FGF2 and PDGF-B signaling pathways

Despite the therapeutic benefits of the angiogenesis inhibitors shown in the clinics, they have encountered an unexpected limitation by the occurrence of acquired resistance. Although the mechanism of the resistance is not clear so far, the upregulation of alternative angiogenic pathways and stabilization of endothelium by mural cells were reported to be responsible. Therefore, blocking multiple angiogenic pathways that are crucial in tumor angiogenesis has been highlighted to overcome such limitations. To develop an angiogenesis inhibitor that could block multiple angiogenic factors, heparin is an excellent lead compound since wide array of angiogenic factors are heparin-binding proteins. In previous study, we reported a heparin-derived angiogenesis inhibitor, LHT7, as a potent angiogenesis inhibitor and showed that it blocked VEGF signaling pathway. Here we show that LHT7 could block the fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and platelet-derived growth factor B (PDGF-B) in addition to VEGF. Simultaneous blockade of these angiogenic factors resulted in inhibition of multiple stages of the angiogenic process, including initial angiogenic response to maturation of the endothelium by pericyte coverage in vitro. In addition, the treatment of LHT7 in vivo did not show any sign of vascular normalization and directly led to decreased blood perfusion throughout the tumor. Our findings show that LHT7 could effectively inhibit tumor angiogenesis by blocking multiple stages of the angiogenesis, and could potentially be used to overcome the resistance.     

Formulation and characterization of modified release tablets containing isoniazid using swellable polymers

The aim of this work was to develop swellable modified release (MR) isoniazid tablets using different combinations of polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) and sodium-carboxymethylcellulose (Na-CMC). Granules were prepared by moist granulation technique and then compressed into tablets. In vitro release studies for 12 hr were carried out in dissolution media of varying pH i.e. pH 1.2, 4.5, 7.0 and 7.5. Tablets of all formulations were found to be of good physical quality with respect to appearance (width and thickness), content uniformity, hardness, weight variation and friability. In vitro release data showed that increasing total polymer content resulted in more retarding effect. Formulation with 35% polymer content exhibited zero order release profile and it released 35% of the drug in first hr, later on, controlled drug release was observed upto the 12(th) hour. Formulations with PVAc to Na-CMC ratio 20:80 exhibited zero order release pattern at levels of studied concentrations, which suggested that this combination can be used to formulate zero order release tablets of water soluble drugs like isoniazid. Korsmeyer-Peppas modeling of drug release showed that non-Fickian transport is the primary mechanism of isoniazid release from PVAc and Na-CMC based tablets. The value of mean dissolution time decreased with the increase in the release rate of drug clearly showing the retarding behavior of the swellable polymers. The application of a mixture of PVAc to Na-CMC in a specific ratio may be feasible to formulate zero order release tablets of water soluble drugs like isoniazid.     

Effects of crosslinking on the mechanical properties,drug release and cytocompatibility of protein polymers

Recombinant elastin-like protein polymers are increasingly being investigated as component materials of a variety of implantable medical devices. This is chiefly a result of their favorable biological properties and the ability to tailor their physical and mechanical properties. In this report, we explore the potential of modulating the water content, mechanical properties, and drug release profiles of protein films through the selection of different crosslinking schemes and processing strategies. We find that the selection of crosslinking scheme and processing strategy has a significant influence on all aspects of protein polymer films. Significantly, utilization of a confined, fixed volume, as well as vapor-phase crosslinking strategies, decreased protein polymer equilibrium water content. Specifically, as compared to uncrosslinked protein gels, water content was reduced for genipin (15.5%), glutaraldehyde (GTA, 24.5%), GTA vapor crosslinking (31.6%), disulfide (SS, 18.2%) and SS vapor crosslinking (25.5%) (P < 0.05). Distinct crosslinking strategies modulated protein polymer stiffness, strain at failure and ultimate tensile strength (UTS). In all cases, vapor-phase crosslinking produced the stiffest films with the highest UTS. Moreover, both confined, fixed volume and vapor-phase approaches influenced drug delivery rates, resulting in decreased initial drug burst and release rates as compared to solution phase crosslinking. Tailored crosslinking strategies provide an important option for modulating the physical, mechanical and drug delivery properties of protein polymers.     

脑缺血再灌注损伤程度与自噬相关基因LC3、mTOR表达的相关性研究

目的　探讨局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤（cerebral ischemia reperfusion, CIR）程度与自噬微管相关蛋白轻链3抗体-Ⅱ（Autophagy microtubule associated protein light chain 3 antibody-Ⅱ,LC3-Ⅱ）、雷帕霉素靶蛋白抗体（Rapamycin target protein antibody,mTOR）表达的相关性。 方法　采用线栓阻断法阻塞大脑中动脉2 h制作大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注模型;观察各组间的神经功能缺失评分、TTC梗死体积;应用免疫印迹、免疫荧光法检测大脑顶叶的LC3-Ⅱ、mTOR的表达。 结果　TTC染色显示,梗死体积在缺血再灌24 h达高峰。WB、免疫荧光显示,LC3-Ⅱ在IR中表达增加,且在缺血再灌24 h表达最高;mTOR在缺血再灌24 h、48 h表达最低。相关性分析显示,TTC染色梗死体积与LC3-Ⅱ表达水平高度正相关。 结论　脑缺血再灌注损伤程度可能与LC3、mTOR的表达水平相关。     

Priming and inducing effects of interleukin-3 on histamine release from cord-blood basophils

The effects of inlerleukin-3 (IL-3) on histamine release from cord and adult blood basophils were evaluated. Leukocyte suspensions, obtained from adult patients with respiratory allergy ( n = 15), normal adult subjects ( n = 15), and neonates with ( n = 15) and without ( n = 19) atopic disposition, were stimulated with anti-IgE, fMLP, and IL-3. IgE-mediated histamine release was significantly higher in adult patients, either allergic or normal, than in neonates with or without atopic disposition. A trend toward higher fMLP-induced histamine release was found in allergic adult subjects. IL-3 had a weak direct histamine-releasing activity in allergic adult subjects and in neonates, but not in normal adult donors. A significant enhancing effect of IL-3 on histamine release induced by anti-IgE was observed in neonates with and without atopic disposition and in normal adult subjects, but not in atopic adult patients. IL-3 exerted a priming effect also when basophils were stimulated with fMLP, without any significant difference between neonates and adult subjects. Passive sensitization with IgE-rich serum resulted in a significant increase in anti-IgE-induced, but not in IL-3–induced, histamine release from cord-blood basophils. In conclusion, IL-3 primes cord-blood as well as adult blood basophils for a consecutive anti-IgE- or fMLP-induced histamine release, and its activity is not limited by the low density of membrane IgE in cord-blood basophils.     

多糖分子质量与配基连接臂长度对改性普鲁兰药物载体的性质影响

目的 研究普鲁兰分子质量和胆固醇配基连接臂长度对胆固醇改性普鲁兰自组装、载药及体外释放等性质的影响.方法 将胆固醇通过2种长度的连接臂共价修饰到2种分子质量的普鲁兰多糖上,合成不同取代度的胆固醇改性普鲁兰(共8种),使其在水中组装成纳米粒,并考察多糖分子质量及连接臂长度对纳米粒形态、粒径的影响.同时,以阿霉素、米托蒽醌为模型药物,考察其在改性普鲁兰多糖纳米粒中的包封及释放行为特征.结果 所有改性普鲁兰多糖均可形成纳米粒,包封药物后可形成载药纳米粒;多糖分子质量和连接臂长度对其性质具有一定的影响.结论 载药前,分子质量较大、连接臂较短的改性多糖具有更好的稳定性;载药后,其对药物的包封、粒径、体外释放行为的影响规律与药物种类相关.     

Relevance of microstructure for the early antibiotic release of fresh and pre-set calcium phosphate cements

Calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) have great potential as carriers for controlled release and vectoring of drugs in the skeletal system. However, a lot of work still has to be done in order to obtain reproducible and predictable release kinetics. A particular aspect that adds complexity to these materials is that they cannot be considered as stable matrices, since their microstructure evolves during the setting reaction. The aims of the present work were to analyze the effect of the microstructural evolution of the CPC during the setting reaction on the release kinetics of the antibiotic doxycycline hyclate and to assess the effect of the antibiotic on the microstructural development of the CPC. The incorporation of the drug in the CPC modified the textural and microstructural properties of the cements by acting as a nucleating agent for the heterogeneous precipitation of hydroxyapatite crystals, but did not affect its antibacterial activity. In vitro release experiments were carried out on readily prepared cements (fresh CPCs), and compared to those of pre-set CPCs. No burst release was found in any formulation. A marked difference in release kinetics was found at the initial stages; the evolving microstructure of fresh CPCs led to a two-step release. Initially, when the carrier was merely a suspension of α-TCP particles in water, a faster release was recorded, which rapidly evolved to a zero-order release. In contrast, pre-set CPCs released doxycycline following non-Fickian diffusion. The final release percentage was related to the total porosity and entrance pore size of each biomaterial.     

Diatom silica microparticles for sustained release and permeation enhancement following oral delivery of prednisone and mesalamine

Diatoms are porous silica-based materials obtained from single cell photosynthetic algae. Despite low cost, easy purification process, environmentally safe properties, and rapidly increasing potentials for medical applications, the cytotoxicity of diatoms and the effect on drug permeation of oral formulations have not been studied so far. Herein, we have evaluated the potential of diatom silica microparticles (DSMs) for the delivery of mesalamine and prednisone, which are two commonly prescribed drugs for gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. Transmission electron microscopy analysis of the morphological surface changes of Caco-2/HT-29 monolayers and the cell viability data in colon cancer cells (Caco-2, HT-29 and HCT-116) showed very low toxicity of diatoms at concentrations up to 1000 μg/mL. The mesalamine and prednisone release under simulated GI conditions indicated prolonged release of both drugs from the diatoms. Furthermore, drug permeation across Caco-2/HT-29 co-culture monolayers demonstrated that diatoms are capable to enhance the drug permeability. Overall, this study evaluated DSMs' cytotoxicity in colon cancer cells and the effect of DSMs on drug permeability across Caco-2/HT-29 monolayers. Our results demonstrate that DSMs can be considered as a non-cytotoxic biomaterial with high potential to improve the mesalamine and prednisone bioavailability by sustaining the drug release and enhancing drug permeability.     

Preparation and identification of multifunctional mesoporous silica nanoparticles for in vitro and in vivo dual-mode imaging,theranostics, and targeted tracking

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) can provide a structural foundation for a new generation of nanocarriers with a broad range of functionalities. Multifunctional MSNs can serve as all-in-one diagnostic and therapeutic tools that can be used to simultaneously visualize and treat various diseases, such as cancer. This research study is the first time that two lanthanide-based imaging systems have been combined to incorporate controlled drug release and targeted tracing into a single MSN-based nano-platform for a novel theranostic drug delivery system. Doping lanthanide ions, i.e., europium (Eu) and gadolinium (Gd) ions, into an MSN structure (EuGd-MSNs) imparts fluorescence and magnetism to the nanostructure that can be used to develop magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and biological fluorescence tools. Current cancer research has revealed that most human cancer cells express a large number of folate receptors on their surface. Grafting folic acid (FA) onto the EuGd-MSN surface (EuGd-FA-MSNs) imparts a targeting function to the MSN because of the specificity of the binding of FA to cell surface receptors. Furthermore, grafting anticancer drugs, such as camptothecin (CPT), onto the surface of these MSNs by forming disulfide bonds (EuGd-SS-CPT-FA-MSNs) enables intracellular controlled drug release. A high concentration of intracellular glutathione cleaves the disulfide bond to release the drug and treat the disease. The results of in vitro and in vivo studies show that the functionalized MSNs can be successfully used as a platform to integrate dual-imaging, targeting, and therapeutic treatment in multifunctional diagnosis drug delivery systems.     

Preserved bioactivity and tunable release of a SDF1-GPVI bi-specific protein using photo-crosslinked PEGda hydrogels

Chemokine-induced stem cell recruitment is a promising strategy for post myocardial infarction treatment. Injection of stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF1) has been shown to attract bone marrow-derived progenitor cells (BMPCs) from the blood that have the potential to differentiate into cardiovascular cells, which support angiogenesis, enabling the improvement of myocardial function. SDF1-GPVI bi-specific protein contains a glycoprotein VI (GPVI)-domain that serves as an anchor for collagen type I (Col I) and III, which are exposed in the wall of injured vasculature. In this study, we generated a cytocompatible hydrogel via photo-crosslinking of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate that serves as a reservoir for SDF1-GPVI. Controlled and sustained release of SDF1-GPVI was demonstrated over a period of 7 days. Release features were modifiable depending on the degree of the crosslinking density. Functionality of the GPVI-domain was investigated using a GPVI-binding ELISA to Col I. Activity of the SDF1-domain was tested for its CXCR4 binding potential. Preserved functionality of SDF1-GPVI bi-specific protein after photo-crosslinking and controllable release was successfully demonstrated in vitro supporting the implementation of this drug delivery system as a powerful tool for therapeutic protein delivery in the treatment of cardiovascular ischemic disease.