电致孔技术在透皮给药中的应用

电致孔可显著提高药物的经皮吸收,有望用于多肽和蛋白质类生物大分子药物的透皮给药.本文对电致孔法的透皮促渗机制、影响因素以及安全性进行了讨论,并介绍了有关实验装置及其在透皮给药中的应用.     

Transdermal Delivery of Macromolecules Using Skin Electroporation

Purposes. (1) To evaluate the feasibility of transdermal delivery ofmacromolecules by skin electroporation. (2) To assess the influenceof the molecular weight of the permeant on transport and examinewhether there exists a cut-off value of molecular weight. (3) Tolocalize the transport pathways of the macromolecules in the skin. Methods. FITC-dextran (FD) of increasing molecular weight (4.4, 12and 38 kDa) were used as model macromolecules to study the extentof transport across hairless rats skin in vitro and to localize theirdistribution in the skin by confocal scanning laser microscopy. Results. Electroporation enhanced the transport of the macromoleculesas compared to passive diffusion. The transdermal delivery by skinelectroporation of FITC and FD 4.4 was equivalent whereas transportof higher molecular weight FD was lower but significant. FITC and FD38 were observed in the epidermis both around and in the keratinocytes. Conclusions. Transdermal and topical delivery of macromolecules ofat least 40 kDa can be achieved by skin electroporation.     

Rapid Temporal Control of Transdermal Drug Delivery by Electroporation

Pharmaceutical Research -     

胰岛素脂质体的制备及在电致孔下的经皮渗透

采用反相蒸发法制备了平均粒径122.7nm的胰岛素脂质体,并考察了电致孔经皮转运情况.结果表明,在电致孔条件下,胰岛素脂质体2h累积渗透量是载药脂质体被动扩散的1倍;是原药及其与空白脂质体混合物的2～3倍.     

Transdermal Delivery of Fentanyl by Electroporation I. Influence of Electrical Factors

Purpose. Electroporation, a method of reversibly permeabilizing lipid bilayers by the application of an electric pulse, has been shown to induce increased transdermal passage of molecules. The aim of the present report was to study in vitro with hairless rat skin the potential of electroporation for transdermal delivery of fentanyl. Results. The application of electric pulses can strongly promote transdermal delivery of fentanyl compared to passive diffusion through untreated skin. We also point out that the choice of the waveform of the electric pulses is important: at the same applied energy, a few exponentially-decaying (ED) pulses increased fentanyl permeation more than a few square-wave pulses and to the same extent as the repeated application of higher voltage-shorter duration ED pulses. A factorial design showed that the voltage, duration, and number of ED pulses allowed control of the quantity of drug transported through the skin. Conclusions. Skin electroporation could be a good way to improve the transdermal diffusion of fentanyl.     

Transdermal Delivery of Fentanyl by Electroporation II. Mechanisms Involved in Drug Transport

Purpose. The aim of the present report was to systematically analyze the mechanisms involved in fentanyl transdermal transport by skin electroporation. Methods. The study was performed in vitro with full-thickness hairless rat skin, skin electroporation being carried out with five exponentially-decaying pulses of 100 V applied voltage and around 600 ms pulse duration. Results. Transport during and after pulsing are both important in transdermal delivery of fentanyl by skin electroporation. Rapid transport occurred during pulsing due to electrophoresis and diffusion through highly permeabilized skin. No electroosmosis was observed. The slow post-pulse passive transport was explained by lasting changes in skin permeability. Measurements of fentanyl quantities in the skin demonstrated that pulses rapidly loaded the viable part of the skin with fentanyl and hence rapidly overcame skin barrier. Conclusions. The different contributions of the transport mechanisms appear to depend on the physicochemical parameters of the transported molecule as well as the solution, suggesting that mechanistic analysis and careful consideration of formulation variables are essential for the development and optimization of drug delivery by skin electroporation.     

电致孔对睾酮透皮转运的影响

研究了电致孔技术对睾酮透皮转运的影响,对电压、脉冲持续时间和电极的影响进行了初步探讨.结果表明,电致孔可增大药物的透皮转运速率及其累积透过量,且电力学参数与透皮吸收增量呈正相关,电极也明显影响电致孔透皮速率.     

电场方向对电穿孔技术促进咖啡因经皮渗透的影响

目的研究电场方向对电穿孔技术促进咖啡因经皮渗透的影响。方法应用水平双室扩散池,Ag-Ag/AgCl电极和人尸体皮肤,进行咖啡因的经皮渗透实验,考察电场方向对电穿孔(指数衰减型脉冲,脉冲幅度为350 V,脉冲率为4 pulses·min-1,脉冲数为25,电容为22μF )促渗作用的影响,并与离子导入(0.25 mA·cm-2,持续4小时)进行比较。结果 1)电穿孔与离子导入均可显著增加咖啡因的经皮渗透速率和累积渗透量。2)阳极离子导入(电场方向为从供应室到接受室)的促渗作用显著大于阴极离子导入(电场方向为从接受室到供应室)的促渗作用。3)阳极电穿孔的促渗作用与阴极电穿孔的促渗作用无显著差异。4)阳极离子导入的促渗作用显著大于阳极电穿孔及阴极电穿孔的促渗作用。结论电场方向对离子导入的促渗作用有显著影响,而对电穿孔的促渗作用没有影响。     

Macromolecules as Novel Transdermal Transport Enhancers for Skin Electroporation

Purpose. Macromolecules were investigated as chemical enhancers of transdermal transport by skin electroporation. Although unable to enhance passive or iontophoretic transport, macromolecules are proposed to enhance electroporation-assisted delivery by stabilizing the increased permeability caused by high-voltage pulses. Methods. To test this hypothesis, we examined the timescale of transport, the influence of electrical protocol and the influence of macromolecule size, structure, and charge on enhancement of transdermal mannitol transport in vitro by heparin, dextran-sulfate, neutral dextran, and poly-lysine. Results. Skin electroporation increased transdermal mannitol delivery by approximately two orders of magnitude. The addition of macromolecules further increased transport up to five-fold, in support of the proposed hypothesis. Macromolecules present during pulsing enhanced mannitol transport after pulsing for hours, apparently by a macromolecule-skin interaction. No enhancement was observed during passive diffusion or low-voltage iontophoresis, suggesting that macromolecules interact specifically with transport pathways created at high voltage. Although all macromolecules studied enhanced transport, those with greater charge and size were more effective. Conclusions. This study demonstrates that macromolecules can be used as trandermal transport enhancers uniquely suited to skin electroporation.     

Effect of Electroporation on Transdermal lontophoretic Delivery of Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone (LHRH) in Vitro

Electroporation, the creation of transient, enhanced membrane permeability using short duration (microseconds to millisecond) electrical pulses, can be used to increase transdermal drug delivery. The effect of an (electroporative) electric pulse (1000 V, = 5 msec) on the iontophoretic transport of LHRH through human skin was studied in vitro. Fluxes achieved with and without a pulse under different current densities (0- 4 mA/cm²) were compared. The results indicated that the application of a single pulse prior to iontophoresis consistently yielded higher fluxes (5—10 times the corresponding iontophoretic flux). For example, at 0.5 mA/cm² fluxes were 0.27 ± 0.08 and 1.62 ± 0.05 µg/hr/cm² without and with the pulse, respectively. At each current density studied, the LHRH flux decreased after iontophoresis, approaching pre-treatment values. The results show that electroporation can significantly and reversibly increase the flux of LHRH through human skin. These results also indicate the therapeutic utility of using electroporation for enhanced transdermal transport.     

Localization of a FITC-Labeled Phosphorothioate Oligodeoxynucleotide in the Skin After Topical Delivery by Iontophoresis and Electroporation

Purpose. The aim of this study was to verify the hypothesis that the application of high voltage to the skin enhances both stratum corneum and keratinocyte permeability. Therefore, the transport of FITC labelled phosphorothioate oligonucleotides (FITC-PS) administered by passive diffusion, iontophoresis or electroporation was localized. Methods. Fluorescent microscopy and laser scanning confocal microscopy were used to visualize the FITC-PS transport at the tissue and cell level respectively in hairless rat skin after electroporation (5 × (200 V 500 ms) or iontophoresis (same amount of charges transferred). Results. FITC-PS did not penetrate the viable skin by passive diffusion. Molecular transport in the skin upon electroporation or iontophoresis was localized and implied mainly hair follicles for iontophoresis. In the stratum corneum, the pathways for FITC-PS transport were more transcellular during electroporation and paracellular during iontophoresis. FITC-PS were detected in the nucleus of the keratinocytes a few minutes after pulsing. In contrast, iontophoresis did not lead to an uptake of the oligomer. Conclusions. The internalization of FITC-PS in the keratinocytes after electroporation confirms the hypothesis and suggests that electroporation, which allows both efficient topical delivery and rapid cellular uptake of the oligonucleotides, might be useful for antisense therapy of epidermal diseases.     

Electrically-Assisted Transdermal Drug Delivery

Electrically-assisted transdermal delivery (EATDD) is the facilitated transport of compounds across the skin using an electromotive force. It has been extensively explored as a potential means for delivering peptides and other hydrophilic, acid-labile or orally unstable products of biotechnology. The predominant mechanism for delivery is iontophoresis, although electroosmosis and electroporation have also been investigated. The focus of this review is to put these different mechanisms in perspective and relate them to the drug and skin model system being investigated.     

Reservoir Based Fentanyl Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems: Effect of Patch Age on Drug Release and Skin Permeation

Purpose  To understand and evaluate the stability and skin permeation profiles of fentanyl reservoir systems as a function of patch age. Methods  Drug release and skin permeation studies were performed using a modified USP apparatus 5 with a novel sample preparation technique. Results  The amount of fentanyl present in the EVA/adhesive layer (EAL) increased from about 17% of label claim (LC) at 5 months to 25% LC at 22 months. The increase in the drug concentration was mainly observed in the peripheral EAL. Simultaneously, the alcohol content of the patch decreased as a function of patch age. A significant effect of patch age on the drug content in the EAL and the drug release from the system was observed; however, skin permeation studies did not indicate an increase in drug delivery rate. Conclusions  Novel sample preparation technique with USP Apparatus 5 allowed determination of in vitro skin permeation rates for fentanyl transdermal patches with different designs. Permeation rates with cadaver skin as substrate were found not to change with patch age despite changing drug concentration in the EAL.     

Effects of Dimethylformamide and L-Menthol Permeation Enhancers on Transdermal Delivery of Quercetin

In this work a feasibility study of transdermal delivery system for quercertin (Q) in carbopol gel through abdominal hairless pig skin in vitro was performed. Dimethylformamide (DMF) and L-menthol (M) were selected as enhancers. Permeation experiences were carried out by using Franz-type diffusion cells. Phosphate saline buffer (pH 7.4) was used in the receptor compartments. All the system was maintained at 32 ± 0.5°C with a circulating water jacket and magnetic stirring (180 rpm). Samples were analysed by UV-VIS spectrophotometer at 255 nm. Flux (J_m) values, permeation (P) and diffusion (D) coefficients were obtained. Results of Q in CG permeation experiences with different percentages of DMF and M showed that 16.7% DMF and 1.95% L-menthol enhancers were the best quantities for the system tested. Enhancer effect can be attributed to direct action on membrane structure by promoting its distension. Therefore, enhancer substitutes for water in pores, improving active principal permeation through pig skin. M significantly increases Q permeation about 17 times higher than control. The results of permeation experiments with M and DMF using the same enhancer concentration (1.42%) conclude that M action is 9 times higher than DMF, approximately, indicating that M is an effective enhancer for a transdermal therapeutic system of Q in CG as vehicle.     

Current Status and Future Prospects of Transdermal Drug Delivery

Pharmaceutical Research -     

Parameters Controlling Topical Delivery of Oligonucleotides by Electroporation

Abstract

Electroporation, using high voltage electrical pulses has been recognized as a powerful method for delivering macromolecules such as DNA and proteins in cells, or smaller molecules through the skin. Transdermal electroporation could combine targeted delivery of drugs to the skin and permeabilization of skin cells, suggesting that electroporation could be an interesting alternative for topical delivery of oligonucleotides. This work is devoted to the determination of the electroporation parameters that allow optimal delivery of oligonucleotides to the viable tissues of hairless rat skin in vitro. Phosphorothioate derivatives were preferred to the phosphodiester congeners as the former were found to be much less degraded when extracted from the tissues. Long duration (100-500ms)—medium voltage (100-200V)—exponentially decaying pulses appeared to be the best conditions for delivering oligonucleotides to the skin. The oligonucleotide quantity permeating the viable tissues of the skin was controlled by the selection of the electrical parameters of the pulses (voltage, pulse time and number of pulses) or by the ON concentration in the donor compartment. After delivery by electroporation, therapeutic levels of oligonucleotides were reached in the viable tissues of the skin (above 1 μM or 10 μM in intact or stripped skin respectively). Taken together, our results show that electroporation could be an interesting method for the delivery of oligonucleotides to the skin.     

Skin Irritation in Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems: A Strategy for its Reduction

Purpose Active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) in transdermal drug delivery systems (TDS) often causes skin irritation such as erythema and edema. We have studied a possible approach for the reduction of skin irritation by patch formulations that control the rates of skin permeation and elimination of API. Methods Loxoprofen (LX-base) was used to induce the skin irritation. The redness value (Δa) was evaluated as a measure of erythema by Chroma Meter. The in vitro skin permeation and release profiles were also investigated by using a side-by-side diffusion cell. Results The redness values were not correlated either with the cumulative amount of API permeated or the concentration of LX-base in the skin, but well correlated with the elimination rate of LX-base from the skin after the removal of the formulation. The formulation with gradual decrease of permeation rate during application accelerated the elimination rate after application, and resulted in the reduction of the skin irritation. Conclusions The skin pharmacokinetics of API, not only permeation during application but also release after the patch removal, was found to be a significant factor for skin irritation. To minimize the skin irritation, it’s also important to eliminate the residual API in the skin promptly after application.     

Transdermal Delivery of Insulin Using Microneedles in Vivo

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to design and fabricate arrays of solid microneedles and insert them into the skin of diabetic hairless rats for transdermal delivery of insulin to lower blood glucose level. METHODS: Arrays containing 105 microneedles were laser-cut from stainless steel metal sheets and inserted into the skin of anesthetized hairless rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. During and after microneedle treatment, an insulin solution (100 or 500 U/ml) was placed in contact with the skin for 4 h. Microneedles were removed 10 s, 10 min, or 4 h after initiating transdermal insulin delivery. Blood glucose levels were measured electrochemically every 30 min. Plasma insulin concentration was determined by radioimmunoassay at the end of most experiments. RESULTS: Arrays of microneedles were fabricated and demonstrated to insert fully into hairless rat skin in vivo. Microneedles increased skin permeability to insulin, which rapidly and steadily reduced blood glucose levels to an extent similar to 0.05-0.5 U insulin injected subcutaneously. Plasma insulin concentrations were directly measured to be 0.5-7.4 ng/ml. Higher donor solution insulin concentration, shorter insertion time, and fewer repeated insertions resulted in larger drops in blood glucose level and larger plasma insulin concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Solid metal microneedles are capable of increasing transdermal insulin delivery and lowering blood glucose levels by as much as 80% in diabetic hairless rats in vivo.     

电穿孔技术促进萘普生经皮渗透的研究

目的：研究电穿孔技术对小分子离子型药物经皮渗透的影响。方法：应用双室扩散池方法研究电穿孔技术对萘普生在离体大鼠腹部皮肤经皮渗透的影响。并与被动扩散和离子导入进行比较。结果：外加电脉冲（指数衰减型脉冲,脉冲幅度为４００Ｖ,电容器电容为２．２ｕＦ,脉冲率为２０ｐｕｌｓｅｓ．ｍｉｎ＾－１,脉冲宽度τ≈６．０ｍｓ）或离子导入（１ｍＡ．ｃｍ＾－２,６ｈ）时,萘普生的渗透速率和累积渗透量均大于被动扩散。外加脉     

Transdermal Drug Delivery Using Low-Frequency Sonophoresis

Purpose. Application of therapeutic ultrasound (frequency: 1–3 MHz and intensity: 0–2 W/cm²) enhances transdermal drug transport, although typically by a factor of less than 10. In this paper, we show that application of ultrasound at 20 KHz induces transdermal transport enhancements of up to 1000 times higher than those induced by therapeutic ultrasound. Methods. In vitro (human cadaver epidermis) as well as in vivo (hairless rat skin) permeation experiments were performed to assess the effect of low-frequency ultrasound on transdermal transport. Results. Application of low-frequency ultrasound (20 KHz, 125 mW/cm², 100 msec pulses applied every second) enhanced transdermal transport of several permeants, including estradiol, salicylic acid, corticosterone, sucrose, aldosterone, water, and butanol, across human cadaver skin by a factor in the range of 3 to 3000 and that of salicylic acid across hairless rat skin in vivo by a factor of up to 300. Low-frequency ultrasound did not induce a long-term loss of the barrier properties of the skin (in vitro) or damage to living skin of hairless rats. At a mechanistic level, it is hypothesized that application of low-frequency ultrasound enhances transdermal transport through aqueous channels in the SC generated by cavitation-induced bilayer disordering. Support for this hypothesis is provided using experimental and theoretical analyses of low-frequency sonophoresis. Conclusions. Low-frequency ultrasound enhances transdermal transport of drugs more effectively than that induced by therapeutic ultrasound.