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Biomedical subjects

J B Fariña

Publications and source records attributed to J B Fariña.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

A mathematical model for interpreting in vitro rhGH release from laminar implants.

Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH), used mainly for the treatment of growth hormone deficiency in children, requires daily subcutaneous injections. The use of controlled release formulations with appropriate rhGH release kinetics reduces the frequency of medication, improving patient compliance and quality of life. Biodegradable implants are a valid alternative, offering the feasibility of a regular release rate after administering a single dose, though it exists the slight disadvantage of a very minor surgical operation. Three laminar implant formulations (F(1), F(2) and F(3)) were produced by different manufacture procedures using solvent-casting techniques with the same copoly(D,L-lactic) glycolic acid (PLGA) polymer (Mw=48 kDa). A correlation in vitro between polymer matrix degradation and drug release rate from these formulations was found and a mathematical model was developed to interpret this. This model was applied to each formulation. The obtained results where explained in terms of manufacture parameters with the aim of elucidate whether drug release only occurs by diffusion or erosion, or by a combination of both mechanisms. Controlling the manufacture method and the resultant changes in polymer structure facilitates a suitable rhGH release profile for different rhGH deficiency treatments.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Evaluation of cholecystokinin (CCK-8) peptide thermal stability for use as radiopharmaceutical by means isothermal and nonisothermal approaches.

The purpose of this research was to study the thermal stability of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) in aqueous solution at pH 12 and ionic strength 0.01 M, which were kept as constants, by using isothermal and nonisothermal methods. The isothermal decomposition of CCK-8 was investigated as a function of temperature (40 degrees C to 70 degrees C). Nonisothermal stability studies were performed using a linear increasing temperature program. Two different nonisothermal studies were carried out at 0.25 degrees K and 0.5 degrees K per hour, and the temperature interval varied from 40 degrees C to 82 degrees C. The degradation of CCK-8 followed first-order kinetics, obeying the Arrhenius equation in the experimental temperature range. This indicated that the degradation mechanism of CCK-8 could be the equal within the temperature range studied. The nonisothermal approach resulted in activation energy (Ea) and shelf-life (t90%) values that agree well with those obtained by the isothermal method. The level of uncertainty in the estimates of t90% and Ea values is determined mainly by the extent of drug degradation and temperature change during the experiment. Therefore, nonisothermal experiments save time, labor and materials (i.e. the amount of drugs necessary to conduct the experiment) compared to the classic isothermal experiments, if they are performed using a suitable experimental design and a precise analytical method.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Structural properties of biodegradable polyesters and rheological behaviour of their dispersions and films.

This paper focuses on the dependence of the rheological properties of PLA-PEG and PLGA dispersions and films on the polymer structural properties, in order to obtain useful information to predict and explain the performance of polyester films as drug-delivery systems. In this study, one PLA-PEG and three PLGA polymers of different molecular mass were synthesized and characterized by NMR, GPC, DSC and TGA-FT-IR. To characterize the viscoelastic behaviour of concentrated solutions in dichloromethane and of the films obtained by a solvent-casting technique, oscillatory shear rheometry was used. The polymer dispersions showed a characteristic Newtonian viscous behaviour, but with different consistency index depending on the nature of the polymer. Freshly prepared, PLGA and PLA-PEG films had elastic modulus (G') greater than viscous modulus (G"). The decrease in both moduli caused by an increase in temperature from 25 to 37 degrees C was especially marked for the polymers with T(g) below or around 25 degrees C (PLGA 27 kDa and PLA-PEG 27 kDa). After being immersed in pH 7.4 aqueous solution for one week, PLGA films showed a significant increase in both G' and G", due to the promotion of polymer-polymer interactions in a non-solvent medium. In contrast, the PLA-PEG film became softer and more hydrated, due to the amphiphilic character of the polymer. The water taken up by the film acted as a plasticizer and induced the softening of the system. These results suggest that the presence of PEG chains exerts a strong influence on the mechanical properties of polyesters films and, possibly, the performance as coating or matrices of drug-delivery systems.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

Rheological properties of PLGA film-based implants: correlation with polymer degradation and SPf66 antimalaric synthetic peptide release.

This paper reports on the rheological properties of poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) polymers (PLGA) dispersions used to form films and of the implants prepared by compression of SPf66 antimalaric peptide between several films, before application and during drug release. 25% PLGA (M(w)=48,000Da) dispersions in dichloromethane showed viscous Newtonian behaviour, being easy flowing and adaptable to the moulds. Evolution of viscoelastic properties, polymer molecular weight, and SPf66 release pattern from the implants immersed in various media was evaluated. Oscillatory shear test showed that freshly prepared implants have an elastic modulus, G', greater than the viscous modulus, G", being both practically independent of angular frequency. After 6 weeks immersion in a pH 7.4 phosphate buffer, G' and G" increased in almost one order of magnitude, despite of a significant polymer degradation. Polymer molecular weight decreased slowly during the first 10 days of immersion (a similar pattern was obtained at pHs 2 and 7.4) and then the degradation process accelerated (degradation index on day 7 equals to 0.89, and on day 14 equals to 16.5). SPf66 release profile followed a pattern similar to that of the polymer degradation index. These observations are explained in terms of changes in polymer structure and conformation that happen in the implant.

Absorbable Implants↗

Stability indicating method for SPf66 antimalarial peptide in solution.

Stability studies on the SPf66 antimalarial peptide with different pH and temperature conditions were carried out. The degradation mechanism was elucidated by the size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) technique and the experimental data obtained at 37 degrees C and different pH were fitted to a kinetic degradation model that could explain the loss of its immunogenic capacity. At 5, 25, 37, and 70 degrees C and pH 2, changes were detected in the areas of the different species, although the values obtained could not be fitted to any known degradation kinetics.

Chromatography, Gel↗

Comparative study of protein molecular weights by size-exclusion chromatography and laser-light scattering.

High-performance size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) based on UV-Vis detection is a relative technique for molecular weight determination whereas procedure based on multi-angle laser light scattering (MALLS) is both rapid and absolute. The two methods using recombinant human growth hormone (rHGH) and beta-lactoglobulin samples were compared. A calibration curve for the chromatographic system was generated based on standard proteins and the data were fitted by least squares to a third order polynomial model. The molecular weight from the conventional SEC method for both proteins was higher than the reported values. The molecular weight of rHGH from MALLS was 23.1+/-0.57 and 21.2+/-0.80 kDa using differential refractive index (SEC-MALLS/RI) and UV (SEC-MALLS/UV-Vis) detectors as mass detectors. Both values agree, within experimental error with the molecular weight sequence of rHGH, 22.1 kDa. In contrast, the molecular weight from LS for beta-lactoglobulin was 22.5+/-0.55 kDa by SEC-MALLS/RI and 23.0+/-1.22 kDa by SEC-MALLS/UV-Vis, respectively, values always higher than those supplied by the manufacturer, 18.4 kDa. The reproducibility of the SEC-MALLS/UV-Vis method versus the SEC-MALLS/RI method was performed using the concordance correlation coefficient. The method's reproducibility was accepted by assuming a precision of 98% and a 1% loss in precision.

Chromatography, Gel↗

Stability study of human serum albumin pharmaceutical preparations.

The influence of temperature on the stability of human serum albumin (HSA) pharmaceutical preparations has been studied by size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography with multi-angle laser-light-scattering detection and by particle-size analysis. The behaviour of HSA in two pharmaceutical preparations stored at different temperatures (40, 55 and 70 degrees C) followed the same pattern--an increase in the relative percentage of dimer (MW 132 000 Da) and aggregate (MW > 200 000 Da), and then a decrease in the concentration of all species and, finally, sudden protein coagulation. These results suggest a time- and temperature-dependent process. At 70 degrees C, monomer only was detected for both preparations; the amount remaining was 83 and 72% for formulations A and B, respectively. Analysis of size-distribution curves also seems to confirm these results. Initially, three distributions were observed with length-volume mean diameters (d1,v) of 1.67, 10.6 and 57 microm. After 80 days at 55 degrees C, only two distributions were observed, with d1,v of 3.07 and 76 microm. An additional study using pure HSA at different concentrations (0.3, 2.5, 5 and 10% w/v) and storage at 75 degrees C was performed to determine the influence of the concentration of auxiliary substances and of the HSA. Only when the HSA concentration was 0.3% w/v did the remaining fraction of HSA fit a Prout-Thompkins nucleation model. Initially three distributions with mean sizes of 2, 20 and 40 microm were observed whereas at the end of the assay only one distribution, mean size 129 microm, was seen. The methodology used enabled us to separate the HSA degradation products and to determine the absolute molecular weight of albumin monomer and dimer. It is possible to conclude that the degradation mechanism for the formulations studied is complex, and that it is possible to fit the degradation data to Prout-Thompkins kinetics only when the concentration of HSA is low enough (0.3% w/v).

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Stability indicating high performance liquid chromatography methods for 5-fluorouridine in aqueous solution.

Two methods of reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) were used to detect and quantify the degradation of 5-fluorouridine (CAS 316-46-1, 5-FUR) in aqueous solution. The 1H-NMR technique was used for identifying the degradation products. Several assays were performed from different aqueous solutions of 5-FUR. The best results (optimal resolution, reproducibility and rapidity) were achieved by using Resolve C-18 as stationary phase and a mix (96:4) of 50 mmol/l ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (adjusted to pH 3.5 with phosphoric acid) and acetonitrile as mobile phase. Despite the 5-FUR hydrolysis to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and D-ribose under moderate conditions in unlikely, due to high stability of the nucleoside, these were the identified degradation products in assays carried out.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

HPLC determination of polyethylene glycol 400 in urine: oligomeric profile in healthy and celiac disease subjects.

The absorption of orally administered polyethylene glycol (PEG) has been used to assess intestinal permeability. We describe a simple HPLC technique to determine the oligomeric profile of PEG excreted in urine. We measured the total (%) PEG excreted in 6 h and the ratio of the four smallest oligomers to the three largest oligomers (expressed as mean percentages). The proposed method differentiates distinct groups of subjects with varying degrees of intestinal permeability detected by intestinal biopsy. The percent of PEG excreted and the oligomer ratio values for healthy subjects were, respectively, 30.1 +/- 3.87 and 0.35 +/- 0.03; for celiac patients on a gluten-free diet, 24.5 +/- 6.65 and 0.45 +/- 0.16; and for celiac patients, 15.0 +/- 5.93 and 1.12 +/- 0.55.

Adult↗

Design and evaluation of sustained-release tablets of lithium in a fat matrix and its bioavailability in humans.

The development of sustained-release lithium (Li) tablets, intended to release the active principle at a rate of 1.0 mM/h for 10 h, was undertaken. The parameters used for the control of the release were the glyceril palmite-stearate content, the carboxypolymethylene content, and the compression force. The experimental design is based on Hadamard's matrices and is of the adaption by stages type. The formulation seen as optimal from in vitro assays was later assessed in vivo by a crossover study of six subjects. The parameters used to measure the bioavailability were the total amount of Li excreted in the urine in the 96 h following ingestion, the maximum urinary excretion rate, and the time at which this rate was reached. The acceptability interval for the first two parameters was established from the theoretical curve of urinary excretion, which was calculated by convolution of the desired in vivo release variable (1.0 mM/h for 10 h) by the absorption-disposition variable obtained after administering the preparation in Li carbonate capsules. The results obtained show that the bioavailability of the formulation is 75% of the immediate-release formulation used as control and that the release rate, although close to the desired value, lasts only 7 or 8 h; these results agree with those given by numerical deconvolution using the mean urinary excretion curves.

Acrylic Resins↗

Comparative degradation study of biodegradable microspheres of poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) with poly(ethyleneglycol) derivates.

The biodegradable polymers of poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and poly(ethyleneglycol) (PEG) have come into use in the last few years for the control of the release of drugs. The incorporation of units of PEG produce an increased in vivo half life of the microparticles. The methoxylation of the PEG allows a control of the microparticles. The methoxylation of the PEG allows a control of the polymerization reaction by blocking one of the reactive terminals. An important aspect to be studied is the degradation of these polymers. The objective was centred on comparing the degradation that microspheres made of PLGA and PLGA-PEG (also with derivate methoxylated PEG). Degradation of the microspheres was studied at 37 degrees C and neutral pH. Samples were taken at different times to determine the size distributions, the mean diameter, the molecular weight and the structural composition of the polymer. The fastest decrease in Mw is observed in the case of PLGA microspheres. The PLGA-PEG microspheres show a significant size increase (from 24.6 to 90 microns) due to a swelling process. Any appreciable changes in Tg values were observed during the assay (30 days).

Biocompatible Materials↗