The study of the composition of human milk has attracted worldwide interest, since it represents the pattern of nutrients most suitable for the younger infant. In the present study, the concentration of Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, and Zn was measured in a total of 211 samples of human milk. The analytical technique of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) was used for the analysis. From the results, it indicates that the mean concentration of Zn is highest in the colostrum with decreasing concentrations as the lactation progressed. The effects of age, parity, and lactation history on the results are also analyzed. It shows that the Zn concentration in the colostrum in the older mothers (>30 yr) was higher than that of the younger ones (20-30 yr).

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Formulation factors for preparing ocular biodegradable delivery system of 5-fluorouracil microparticles.

Microparticles containing 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) were prepared using poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) with an oil-in-oil emulsion/solvent extraction technique. Particle characteristics including size distribution, 5-FU loading efficiencies, in vitro release and degradation were investigated. The dispersed phase was composed of PLG dissolved in dichloromethane, and the continuous phase was paraffin oil containing lecithin. 5-FU was successfully entrapped in the microparticles with trapping efficiencies up to 76%, loading level 10% w/v, and particle size 3 microm. Release profiles of 5-FU loaded microparticles were determined to follow a first-order-time relationship. An optimized preparation of 5-FU microparticles was achieved and was capable of controlling the release of 5-FU over 21 days with an in vitro delivery rate of 0.4 microg 5-FU/mg particles/day in the study. Preliminary animal studies indicated that the 5-FU loaded microparticles as an ocular delivery system showed no ocular toxicity and no significant inflammatory response in rabbits for 2 months. The 5-FU loaded microparticles approach, with PLG, might be a potential for the application of long-term delivery of hydrophilic drugs in the eye.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Vibrio cholerae-loaded poly(DL lactide co-glycolide) microparticles.

Vibrio cholerae (VC)-loaded microparticles were prepared using poly(DL lactide-co-glycolide) with a water-in-oil-in-water emulsion/solvent extraction technique. Particle characteristics including size distribution, VC-loading efficiencies, and in-vitro release pattern were investigated. The dispersed phase was PLG dissolved in dichloromethane, and the continuous phase was water containing PVP as a stabilizer with varied sodium chloride concentrations. VC was successfully entrapped in the microparticles with trapping efficiencies up to 97.8%, a loading level of 55.4 g/mg, and particle size of 3.8 microm. Using 10% w/v PVP with 5% w/v NaCl in the continuous phase resulted in a higher loading level (55.4 +/- 6.9 g/mg), loading efficiency (97.8%), core region content (25.7 +/- 1.9 g/mg) and lower surface content (6.2 +/- 0.9 g/mg) than without NaCl (loading content: 40.7 +/- 5.1 g/mg; loading efficiency 52.1%; core region content: 8.3 +/- 0.5 g/mg; surface content: 19.5 +/- 1.1 g/mg). A linear release profile from VC-loaded microparticles was found. A preliminary animal oral administration study indicated that the VC-loaded microparticles, as an oral delivery system, have shown effective immunogencity in rats for 2 months. The VC incorporation and physicochemical characterization data obtained in this study may be relevant in optimising the vaccine incorporation and delivery properties of these potential vaccine targeting carriers.

Administration, Oral↗