Biodegradable Polydioxanone Microspheres for Transcatheter Arterial Embolization: Proof of Principle

PurposeTo evaluate feasibility, embolization success, biodegradability, reperfusion, and biocompatibility of biodegradable microspheres (MS) made from polydioxanone (PDO) for transcatheter arterial embolization.Materials and MethodsUnilateral selective renal embolization of a segmental artery was performed in 16 New Zealand White rabbits with PDO-MS (100–150 μm and 90–315 μm). Animals were randomly assigned to different observation periods and underwent control digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and MR imaging immediately (n = 3), 1 week (n = 2), 4 weeks (n = 2), 8 weeks (n = 2), 12 weeks (n = 5), and 16 weeks (n = 2) after embolization. Kidneys were harvested for macroscopic and histologic analysis of embolization success, biodegradability, and biocompatibility.ResultsEmbolization was technically successful in 15 of 16 animals. One animal died of anesthesia-related circulatory failure. The 100–150 μm MS were injected easily through 3-F catheters; the 90–315 μm MS tended to clog with intermittent catheter obstruction. DSA and MR imaging showed successful target embolization in 13 of 15 animals. In 2 animals, the entire kidney was affected owing to catheter clogging, including a reflux of MS while flushing. Control DSA and MR imaging showed increasing vascular reperfusion with time. Macroscopic and histologic analysis revealed necrosis/infarction in areas in which embolization was achieved. MS were extensively degraded after 16 weeks, and overall inflammatory reaction was mild.ConclusionsBiodegradable PDO-MS induced effective embolization of target vessels while demonstrating good biocompatibility. MS increasingly dissolved at 16 weeks, partial reperfusion started at week 1, and complete reperfusion started at week 8, thus offering possible advantages as a temporary embolic agent.     

Poly-lactic acid and agarose gelatin play an active role in the recovery of spinal cord injury

Objective To investigate the role of poly-lactic acid and agarose gelatin in promoting the functional recovery of the injured spinal cord. Methods Poly-lactic acid ( PLA) or agarose was embedded in the space between two stumps of the hemisectioned spinal cord. Immunohistochemistry was used to show astroglia proliferation and the infiltration of RhoA-positive cells. Locomotor activity recovery was evaluated by testing the function of hindlimbs. Results Astrogli-as and RhoA labeled non-neuronal cells accumulated in the area adjacent to the implant, while the number of RhoA-positive cells was decreased dramatically in the absence of implant. Animals implanted with agarose gelatin recovered more quickly than those with PLA, concomitant with a higher survival rate of the neurons. Conclusion Both PLA and agarose gelatin benefited the recovery of spinal cord after injury by providing a scaffold for astroglia processes. Modulation of the rigidity, pore size and inner structure of PLA and agarose gelatin might make these biodegradable materials more effective in the regeneration of the central nervous system (CNS).     

顺铂聚乳酸微球的药物释放特性及肝动脉栓塞研究

对顺铂聚乳酸微球进行了体外药物释放和家犬肝动脉栓塞研究。该微球粒径范围为50～200μm,平均粒径为115.76±35.94μm,顺铂含量为37.16%(W/W);体外药物释放机制符合Higuchi方程;肝动脉栓塞后8h,肝组织顺铂浓度高达21.55±12.18μg/g,明显高于肝动脉灌注顺铂组:3.16±0.09μg/g(P<0.05);肝动脉栓塞组的顺铂血浓峰值、各取血点浓度及曲线下面积AUC皆低于肝动脉灌注顺铂组。可望达到提高栓塞部位的药物疗效,降低全身毒副反应的作用。     

In vivo induction of CD4+ T cell responses by antigens covalently linked to synthetic microspheres does not require adjuvant

Macrophages, dendritic cells or B lymphocytes have been shownto play a major role in the presentation of soluble antigensto CD4⁺ T cells. In contrast, the capacity of these cells topresent particulate antigens such as bacterial or parasiticantigens to T cells remains controversial. To investigate thisquestion, well defined particulate antigens were prepared bycovalent linkage of proteins or peptides to 1 µm in diametersynthetic microspheres. The T cell immunogenicity of such particulateantigens was analyzed in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, a solubleprotein such as hen egg lysozyme (HEL) coupled to beads stimulateda strong proliferative T cell response of lymph node cells fromHEL-primed mice or of specific T cell hybridomas. HEL coupledto beads was presented to the specific T cell hybridomas bysplenocytes or by peritoneal macrophages, but not by lymphomaB cells. Immunization of mice with several different proteinantigens or with a synthetic peptide covalently linked to beadsinduced strong CD4⁺ T cell responses in the absence of adjuvant.The strong in vivo immunogenicity of proteins coupled to beadsdid not result from a non-specific adjuvant effect of beadssince covalent linkage of the antigen to beads was strictlyrequired to induce T cell responses in the absence of adjuvant.In vivo treatment by carrageenan showed that macrophages arerequired for the in vivo stimulation of T cell responses bythese particulate antigens. Thus, these results demonstratedthe role of phagocytic cells, especially macrophages, for invivo presentation of particulate antigens. These particulateantigens represent an interesting approach for the developmentof new vaccines, and for the in vivo analysis of the role ofvarious antigen presenting cells in T cell activation and differentiation.     

免疫磁性捕获ELISA法检测甘草中甘草蛋白的研究

目的 制备甘草蛋白免疫磁性微球，并建立快速、精确的免疫磁性捕获ELISA法检测甘草蛋白。方法 采用种子聚合法合成聚苯乙烯磁性微球，并以兔抗甘草蛋白IgG抗体致敏，制备特异性捕获甘草特征蛋白的免疫磁性微球。以生物素标记抗体为示踪抗体，结合辣根过氧化物酶标亲和素建立ELISA检测系统，用于甘草药材和含甘草中成药中甘草蛋白的分析。结果 利用该方法对甘草药材和中成药中甘草蛋白抗原检测，检测灵敏度达到10ng／mL。结论 免疫磁性捕获ELISA检测技术方便、快速、准确，为生药的品种鉴定及中成药的质量控制提供一种新方法。     

蜂毒素微球经动脉介入治疗大鼠肝癌的实验研究

目的:观察蜂毒素微球(M-MS)经动脉介入对大鼠肝癌的治疗作用.方法:采用改良的复乳-液中干燥法制备蜂毒素-聚乳酸/羟乙酸微球,建立大鼠移植性肝癌模型并随机分为四组,分别经肝动脉灌注生理盐水(NS,1.5ml/kg)、蜂毒素(Melittin,0.35mg/kg)、空白微球(B-MS,10mg/kg)和蜂毒素-聚乳酸/羟乙酸微球(10mg/kg).比较治疗后各组大鼠的肿瘤生长情况、肿瘤坏死程度和生存时间.结果:与生理盐水组比较,Melittin组、B-MS组肿瘤生长受到明显抑制(P<0.01),肿瘤坏死程度以轻中度为主,但两组动物生存时间均未能明显延长(P>0.05).M-MS组与NS组、Melittin组及B-MS组相比,肿瘤生长抑制显著(P<0.01),肿瘤坏死更广泛、更彻底,且经蜂毒素微球治疗的大鼠生存期显著延长(P<0.01).结论:蜂毒素以药物微球的剂型经肝动脉给药,抗肿瘤效果明显优于单纯的蜂毒素和空白微球.     

异种骨基质明胶(BMG)诱导成骨活性的实验研究

本文按着 Urist 方法制备了人、兔、猪和羊四种骨基质明胶(BMG),分别将其植入25只成年 SD 大鼠的胸部和股部肌肉,在手术的第2、4、6和8周后,通过光学显微镜观察各种 BMG 在肌肉内的免疫排斥反应和诱导成骨活性。结果表明:异种 BMG 具有一定的诱导成骨能力。但在 BMG 周围亦出现程度不同的排斥反应。本文认为,进一步降低 BMG 的抗原性,提高其诱导成骨活性,对于异种 BMG的临床应用将具有重要意义。     

Improvement in Wound Healing by Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) Ointment. I. Effect of Nafamostat,Gabexate, or Gelatin on Stabilization and Efficacy of EGF

The healing effect of human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) on open wounds was studied in rats. No improvement in wound healing was found by topical application of EGF alone to open wound sites. We found an ointment containing EGF and a protease inhibitor, nafamostat mesilate or gabexate mesilate, or gelatin accelerated the healing rate of open wounds. Significant increases in the dry weight of the wound site granulation tissue, uronic acid (as an index of acid mucopolysaccharide) and hydroxyproline (as an index of collagen) were observed by treatment with EGF ointment containing nafamostat compared with the controls. The effects of the protease inhibitor on wound healing were dose dependent. Nafamostat was more efficient than gabexate or gelatin on wound healing. The degradation of ¹²⁵I-EGF in wound tissue homogenate was significantly decreased in the presence of a protease inhibitor, such as nafamostat or gabexate, or gelatin. These findings indicate that the stabilization of EGF at the wound site is an important factor in permitting the expression of its healing effects and suggest that the ointment containing EGF and a stabilizing agent would be a suitable dosage form for acceleration of wound repair.     

阿霉素磁性明胶微球的研究

报告了阿霉素磁性明胶微球（Ａｄｒ－ＭＧ－ｍｓ）的制备与性质，研究了超细氧化铁粒子的合成和磁性明胶微球（ＭＧ－ｍｓ）在狗体内的栓塞效果。阿霉素磁性明胶微球由２％阿霉素（Ａｄｒ）、６８％明胶和３０％的磁铁粒子组成，微球的平均粒径为２２μｍ。在体外实验中，药物释放速度证明微球有缓释的性质。磁铁粒子的平均粒径约为１０ｎｍ，磁性明胶微球与￣（９９ｍ）Ｔｃ标记磁性明胶微球通过导管分别输入狗的肝动脉内进行栓塞，照相和血管造影显示在未加外磁场时磁性明胶微球在左右肝叶分布几乎相等，而在１２００高斯的外磁场作用下，靶部位肝左叶的微球分布是肝右叶的２．２５倍，而甲状腺、脑、心脏的微球很微量，结果表明磁性明胶微球在外磁场作用下是一个很好的治疗肝癌的栓塞剂。