Biomedical subjects

J M Irache

Publications and source records attributed to J M Irache.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2001

A Brucella ovis antigenic complex bearing poly-epsilon-caprolactone microparticles confer protection against experimental brucellosis in mice.

A hot saline antigenic extract (HS) from Brucella ovis was encapsulated in poly-epsilon-caprolactone microparticles (PEC), and tested as a vaccine against B. ovis and B. abortus infections in mice. Subcutaneous but not oral administration in BALB/c mice of the HS-PEC induced high amounts of IFN-gamma and IL-2 but low quantities of IL-4 suggesting a combined Th1/Th2 cellular immune response. The vaccine administered either subcutaneously or orally protected mice against B. ovis infection. Such protection was similar to that provided by the reference living attenuated B. melitensis Rev. 1 vaccine. By contrast, only the subcutaneous vaccination with HS-PEC was as effective as Rev. 1 in conferring protection against B. abortus infection. The use of free HS or empty PEC microparticles did not produce any protective effect.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Ganciclovir-loaded albumin nanoparticles: characterization and in vitro release properties.

Ganciclovir is one of the most widely used antiviral drug for the treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis. Due to its short half-life in the vitreous, frequent administrations are necessary to maintain the therapeutic levels. In this context, the aim of this study was to characterise and in vitro evaluate the drug release properties of three different formulations of ganciclovir-loaded albumin nanoparticles. These carriers were prepared by a coacervation method and chemical cross-linking with glutaraldehyde. Depending on the step where the drug and/or cross-linking agent were added three different formulations were obtained, named models A, B and C. For model A nanoparticles, ganciclovir was incubated with the just-formed albumin nanoparticles. For the other two types of nanoparticulate formulations, the drug was added to a solution of albumin (model B) and glutaraldehyde (model C) prior to the formation of the carriers by coacervation. In all cases, the size of the different nanoparticulate formulations was comprised between 200 and 400 nm and the yield ranged from 50%, in model A, to 65% in model B. Concerning the ganciclovir loading, model B nanoparticles offered the higher capacity to carry this antiviral drug (around 30 microg ganciclovir/mg nanoparticle). On the contrary, the drug loading calculated for model A nanoparticles was only 14.6 microg/mg. The in vitro release profiles of the nanoparticles showed a biphasic pattern, with an initial and rapid release, followed by a slower step for up 5 days. This burst effect was especially relevant in model A (around 60% in 1 h), followed by model B (40%) and less important in model C (20%). The addition of trypsin to the release medium did not have a significant influence on the release characteristics. However, the release of the drug was increased in acidic or basic mediums, due to the disruption of the covalent binding between ganciclovir and the protein matrix via glutaraldehyde. This strong linkage was also confirmed by TLC experiences. In summary, a first step of incubation between the drug and the protein, prior to the preparation of nanoparticles, enabled us to obtain albumin carriers able to release ganciclovir in a sustained way.

Antiviral Agents↗

PubMed2001

Gliadin nanoparticles as carriers for the oral administration of lipophilic drugs. Relationships between bioadhesion and pharmacokinetics.

PURPOSE: The aim of this work was to evaluate the bioadhesive properties of non-hardened gliadin nanoparticles (NPs) and cross-linked gliadin nanoparticles (CL-NP) in the carbazole pharmacokinetic parameters obtained after the oral administration of these carriers. METHODS: A deconvolution model was used to estimate the carbazole absorption when loaded in the different gliadin nanoparticles. In addition, the elimination rates of both adhered and non-adhered nanoparticulate fractions within the stomach were estimated. RESULTS: Nanoparticles dramatically increased the carbazole oral bioavailability up to 49% and provided sustained release properties related to a decrease of the carbazole plasma elimination rate. The carbazole release rates from nanoparticles (NP and CL-NP), calculated by deconvolution, were found to be of the same order as the elimination rates of the adhered fractions of nanoparticles in the stomach mucosa. In addition, good correlation was found between the carbazole plasmatic levels, during the period of time in which the absorption process prevails, and the amount of adhered carriers to the stomach mucosa. CONCLUSION: Gliadin nanoparticles significantly increased the carbazole bioavailability, providing sustained plasma concentrations of this lipophilic molecule. These pharmacokinetic modifications were directly related to the bioadhesive capacity of these carriers with the stomach mucosa.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2000

Determination of oligonucleotide ISIS 2922 in nanoparticulate delivery systems by capillary zone electrophoresis.

ISIS 2922 is an antisense oligonucleotide with antiviral activity against cytomegalovirus. However, its rapid degradation in biological fluids and its low capacity for diffusion across cell membranes limit its therapeutical use. One possibility to overcome these drawbacks consists of using nanoparticles as drug carriers. The aim of this study was to develop an analytical method for determining the amount of ISIS 2922 loaded into albumin nanoparticles. For this purpose, capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) was performed on a fused-silica capillary filled with borate buffer (12.5 mM, pH 9.5). Paracetamol was used as an internal standard and a diode-array detection system was set at 270 nm. Under these conditions, the limit of quantitation of ISIS 2922 was 1.27 microg and the precision and accuracy of the method did not exceed 7%. Moreover, the use of paracetamol as internal standard and the quantification by means of a 'corrected area' procedure enabled us to reduce the peak variability and accurately determine the amount of oligonucleotide loaded in the albumin nanoparticles. In summary, this assay is a selective and sensitive CZE method for the accurate quantitation of ISIS 2922 oligonucleotide in albumin nanoparticles.

Antiviral Agents↗

PubMed2000

Gentamicin encapsulation in PLA/PLGA microspheres in view of treating Brucella infections.

In view of treating intracellular Brucella infections, microspheres made of poly(lactide) (PLA) and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) were developed as delivery system for the cationic and highly hydrophilic antibiotic gentamicin sulphate. Drug microencapsulation by spray drying yielded microspheres with regular morphology, an average particle size of approximately 3 micrometer and encapsulation efficiencies of up to 45%. Different copolymers of similar molecular weights gave varying encapsulation efficiencies and particle size distributions. The encapsulation efficiency generally increased with polymer hydrophilicity, except for the hydrophilic copolymer PLGA50:50H carrying carboxylic end groups. Encapsulation also depended on the pH value of the aqueous drug solution to be encapsulated. Moreover, increasing nominal gentamicin sulphate loading yielded lower efficiencies. For comparison, some formulations were also prepared by a (W(1)/O)W(2)-solvent evaporation method, which yielded lower encapsulation efficiencies, in the order of 13%. Finally, drug bioactivity was found to remain intact after microencapsulation, MS storage and MS incubation in aqueous medium. The results suggest that PLA/PLGA microspheres prepared by spray drying may be an appropriate delivery system for gentamicin sulphate to be used in the treatment of intracellular Brucella infections.

Biocompatible Materials↗

PubMed2000

Development of a sensitive method for the determination of ganciclovir by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

Ganciclovir is a nucleoside analogue widely used in the treatment of cytomegalovirus infections, which affects mainly immunocompromised patients. Recently, new pharmaceutical dosage forms based on the use of albumin nanoparticles have been developed for improving the efficacy of this drug. The aim of this study was to develop an analytical HPLC method for the determination of ganciclovir in both pharmaceuticals (i.e. albumin nanoparticles) and biological medium samples. The chromatography was performed on a reversed-phase encapped column (LiChrospher Select B C8) with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile in 0.05 M ammonium acetate (pH 6.5; 2: 98, v/v). Acyclovir was used as internal standard and the detection wavelength was 254 nm. The limit of quantitation of ganciclovir was 50 ng/ml and the average recoveries over a concentration range of 0.05-10 microg/ml ranged from 98 to 102%. Precision did not exceed 5%. In summary, this assay is a selective, sensitive and reproducible method for the determination of the ganciclovir in albumin nanoparticles. It can be successfully applied to the estimation of the ganciclovir uptake by cultured human corneal fibroblasts.

Antiviral Agents↗

PubMed2000

Bioadhesive potential of gliadin nanoparticulate systems.

The objective of this work was to prepare, characterise and evaluate the adhesive potential of gliadin nanoparticulate carriers. Firstly, lectin-nanoparticle conjugates were obtained by the carbodiimide (CDI) covalent binding of Dolichos biflorus lectin (DBA) to the surface of gliadin nanoparticles (NP) containing carbazole (as a model lipophilic drug). The DBA binding efficiency was favoured in mild acidic conditions. Similarly, a CDI concentration of about 0.63 mg/mg nanoparticles, acting during at least 1 h, provided binding efficiencies of about 50% bulk lectin. Under optimised experimental conditions, the DBA conjugates showed a size of around 500 nm and the amount of loaded carbazole and the DBA content were calculated to be around 15 and 23.5 microg/mg, respectively. The bioadhesive activity of NP and DBA conjugates was determined in samples of small and large rat intestinal mucosa. The amount of adsorbed NP was calculated to be around 8 and 4 g/m(2) in the small and large intestine, respectively. This high capacity to interact with the mucosa may be explained by gliadin composition. In fact, gliadin is rich in neutral and lipophilic residues. Neutral amino acids can promote hydrogen bonding interactions with the mucosa, while the lipophilic components can interact with the biological tissue by hydrophobic interactions. The bioadhesive activity of DBA conjugates was calculated to be about 2 g/m(2) in the small intestine and greater than 4 g/m(2) in the caecum and distal colon. These degrees of interaction were always significantly higher than those obtained with controls. Finally, DBA did not provide the specificity for interaction with Peyer's patches. In summary, gliadin nanoparticles show a high capacity of non-specific interaction with the intestine, whereas DBA binding to the surface of these carriers provided a greater specificity for colonic mucosa.

Adhesives↗

PubMed2000

In vitro reversion of amphotericin B resistance in Leishmania donovani by poloxamer 188.

A micellar formulation of amphotericin B (AmB) solubilized with poloxamer 188 was evaluated against an AmB Leishmania donovani-resistant line. A concave isobologram showed a synergistic effect of this association against promastigotes. This result was confirmed with amastigotes since the 50% effective concentration of the new formulation was 100 times less than that of the control AmB formulation.

Amphotericin B↗

PubMed2000

Distribution of albumin nanoparticles in animals induced with the experimental allergic encephalomyelitis.

Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an autoimmune disease characterised by a disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), demyelination and a relevant inflammatory reaction with an intense infiltration of macrophages. These neurological disorders are similar to those observed in the multiple sclerosis (MS) disease. The use of different liposomes and adeno-associated virus has been proposed for improving the treatment of this pathogenesis. The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential and capacity of albumin nanoparticles to reach the central nervous system (CNS) in EAE-induced rats. For this purpose, the distribution of biotinylated nanoparticles within the CNS was studied. Albumin carriers were mainly found in the lumbar portion of the spinal cord, overlying the meningeal and perivascular areas. The optic chiasma, iris and the area of the Purkinje cells of the cerebellum revealed also an intense presence of these carriers. Finally, immunohistochemical studies also revealed that circulating macrophages (ED1), which migrate to damaged sites, and resident activated microglial cells (OX42) were involved in the distribution of albumin nanoparticles. In summary, the use of nanoparticles may be useful for the design of new pharmaceutical dosage forms able to target the lesions associated with alterations of the BBB.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Preparation of Ulex europaeus lectin-gliadin nanoparticle conjugates and their interaction with gastrointestinal mucus.

One approach to improve the bioavailability and efficiency of drugs consists of the association of a ligand (i.e. lectins), showing affinity for biological structures located on the mucosa surfaces, to nanoparticulate drug delivery systems. In this context, Ulex europaeus lectin-gliadin nanoparticle conjugates (UE-GNP) were prepared with the aim of evaluating their in vitro bioadhesive properties. The lectin was fixed by a covalent procedure to gliadin nanoparticles by a two-stage carbodiimide method. Typically, the amount of bound lectin was calculated to be approximately 15 microg lectin/mg nanoparticle, which represented a coupling efficiency of approximately 16% of the initial lectin concentration. In addition, the activity of these conjugates was tested with bovine submaxillary gland mucin (BSM) and the level of binding to this mucin was always much greater with UE-GNP than with controls (gliadin nanoparticles). However, the presence of 50 micromol fucose, which is the reported specific sugar for U. europaeus lectin, specifically inhibited the activity of these conjugates and, therefore, the UE-GNP binding to BSM was attenuated by 70%. These results clearly showed that the activity and specificity of U. europaeus lectin was preserved after covalent coupling to these biodegradable carriers.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Entrapment efficiency and initial release of phenylbutazone from nanocapsules prepared from different polyesters.

Several formulations of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL), poly(lactic acid) (PLA), and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanocapsules containing phenylbutazone were prepared according to the interfacial deposition technique. These formulations differed in the type of polymer used to form the shell of the nanocapsules. Analysis of particle size distribution and encapsulation efficiency of the nanocapsules revealed that the type and molecular weight of polyester used were the main factors influencing these properties. PLA had the highest encapsulation efficiency with the best reproducibility. From in vitro release studies, a small amount of drug release was observed at pH 7.4. However, in the gastric medium, an important burst effect occurred and was highest with the PLGAs and lowest with PCL, suggesting that drug release from these systems is affected by the type of polymer and the environmental conditions. The two formulations of phenylbutazone-loaded nanocapsules should be evaluated based on PCL and PLA in vivo in order to determine to what extent they are able to reduce the local side effects of this drug.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

PubMed1996

Bioadhesion of lectin-latex conjugates to rat intestinal mucosa.

PURPOSE: The specific interactions between three lectin-latex conjugates and different structures of rat intestinal mucosa have been studied ex vivo. METHODS: These systems were prepared by covalent coupling of different ligands, i.e., tomato lectin (TL), asparagus pea lectin (AL), mycoplasma gallisepticum lectin (ML), and bovine serum albumin (BSA) as control, to poly(styrene) latexes. RESULTS: Using mucosa samples without Peyer's patches (PP), the extent of interaction of all three lectin-latex conjugates with the mucosa decreased from duodenum to ileum, probably due to progressive diminution of the mucin concentration along the gastrointestinal tract. The following order of interaction of the conjugates with the mucus gel layer was observed: TL > ML = AL (p < 0.05). For each lectin, these results corresponded well to the concentration of its specific sugar in the mucus. Using intestinal samples with PP, an important increase of interaction of the conjugates with the mucosa was found for ML (about 25%) and AL (about 50%), whereas the interaction of TL decreased about 25%. CONCLUSIONS: Photomicrographs with fluorescent latexes have confirmed the specificity of the ML- and AL-latex conjugates for the PP region and of the TL-latex conjugates for the mucus gel.

Adhesives↗

PubMed1994

Preparation and characterization of lectin-latex conjugates for specific bioadhesion.

This paper reports on the preparation and characterization of certain bioadhesive model drug deliver systems formed by a carrier (e.g. modified nanoparticles of polystyrene) and a ligand (e.g. tomato lectin, asparagus pea lectin, Mycoplasma gallisepticum lectin or albumin). Three different manufacturing methods (carbodiimide and glutaraldehyde coupling and physical adsorption) were studied. The activity of the lectin-latex conjugates and albumin-latex conjugate (control) were tested with gastric pig mucin. The manufacturing method had an insignificant effect on the activity, but all lectin-latex conjugates interacted two or three times more with mucin than with the control.

Adhesives↗

PubMed1994

Mucoadhesion of latexes. II. Adsorption isotherms and desorption studies.

Adsorption isotherms of poly(styrene) latexes on rat intestinal mucosa were studied under static conditions and analyzed according to different isotherm classifications. Isotherms of latexes with a particle size up to 670 nm had the characteristic shape of a disperse adsorbate on a porous adsorbent. Plateaus were reached at latex concentrations of about 2.5 g/L. The results indicated an increase in adsorption with the size and the hydrophilicity of the latexes. Typically, a surfactant-free carboxylate latex of 230 nm had a plateau of 0.66 g/m2, and a latex of 320 nm with added sodium dodecyl sulfate had a plateau of 0.881 g/m2. Surfactant-free carboxylate latex of 2 microns had a Langmuirian isotherm with a plateau level of 2.616 g/m2, which corresponded to a monolayer of adsorbed particles on the surface of mucosa. Desorption studies showed that the adsorption was irreversible. Adhesion to the mucous gel layer would therefore be limited by the mucus turnover.

Adsorption↗

PubMed1994

Mucoadhesion of latexes. I. Analytical methods and kinetic studies.

A Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy/attenuated total reflection technique for direct quantification of adsorbed poly(styrene) latexes on rat intestinal mucosa was developed for deposited latex amounts up to 1.5 g/m2. The method agreed well with another dosage assay of adsorbed particles by turbidimetry after denaturation of the mucus. Adsorption kinetics were made under static conditions at latex concentrations of 4 g/L in physiological saline. Ninety percent of equilibrium was reached after 10 min for a particle size of 230 nm, 20 min for a size of 320 nm, and 30 min for a size of 670 nm. The plateaus were between 0.6 and 0.9 g/m2 (adsorbed mass per apparent surface of mucosa). The first phase of the kinetics was theoretically approached by a diffusion model in the suspension medium. Mucosa from rat jejunum and ileum could be considered as a homogeneous biological model for latex adsorption.

Adsorption↗

PubMed1993

Stability of some phenolic antioxidants in fatty preparations.

Stability of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), propyl gallate (PG), trihydroxy butyrophenone (THBP), tert-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ) and a mixture of PG and BHA (1:1) in fatty preparations stored under three different conditions was studied. Each antioxidant was added to a fatty model to determine its degradation kinetics and its evolution during the oxidation of the fatty product. Their degradation was adequately described by a first-order kinetic process. An opposite relationship between the stability of antioxidants and their rate protection against oxidation of the fatty product was obtained. At 25 degrees C, t90 values ranged between 10 days for TBHQ and 61 days for BHA. On the other hand, compared when they were formulated alone, the increase of PG and the diminution of BHA degradation kinetics were observed. A degradation product arising from TBHQ was found in samples and stock solutions; an HPLC method for its identification is proposed with detection at 254 nm.

Antioxidants↗

PubMed1992

Antioxidants in some pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and food from the European market.

A specific and sensitive reverse phase HPLC method (AO-1) for the quantitative determination of ten phenolic antioxidants and propyl paraben in fatty products (food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics) has been developed. Extraction with acetonitrile from a hexane dilution of the products; acetic acid-water-acetonitrile-methanol solvent system and detection at 280 nm and quantification by internal standard procedure (reference compound: DMP, dimethylphenol) were used. Good resolutions for all peaks, especially BHT and DG, and no interferences with others common additives were achieved. Mean recoveries, by addition of standards to sample at 20, 50 and 100 micrograms/g, were 96-101% (BHT, 84-86%); minimal quantifiable levels were 0.5-1.6 micrograms/g. Two simple isocratic methods for the confirmation of data obtained by AO-1 were also developed: AO-2 for seven phenolic antioxidants and propyl paraben with DMP as internal standard, AO-3 for four lipophilic antioxidants with di-tert-butylphenol (DTBP) as internal standard.

Antioxidants↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Properties of glutaraldehyde cross-linked vicilin nano- and microparticles.

The influence of some selected factors on the properties of nano- and microparticles obtained from vicilin (storage protein from Pisum sativum L.) has been studied. These systems were prepared by coacervation followed by a cross-linking step with glutaraldehyde. Stabilized vicilin particles could be formed very rapidly after a short exposure to a low glutaraldehyde concentration. Nevertheless, particles increased in size with time of reaction and with an increase in glutaraldehyde concentration. On the other hand, the cross-linking process greatly influenced particle stability when incubated in the presence of trypsin. In this case, degradation followed a square-root-time relationship, suggesting enzymatic attack at the surface and in the interior of the matrix. The influence of the particle size on the tryptic degradation was also investigated and led to similar conclusions. Thus, microparticles showed a more rapid degradation than might be anticipated considering particle diameter alone.

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical↗