Lutrol F127 Research Articles

Peribulbar poloxamer for ocular drug delivery

The use of biopolymers in peribulbar injection for controlled drug delivery provides alternative options to eyedrops and intravitreal or surgical methods. Polymerizable biopolymers are especially likely to have a role because of their particular properties. In liquid form, they can be easily injected into the target site and, after polymerization, they provide a prolonged and controlled release of the drug. This study was undertaken to demonstrate the suitability of a thermopolymerizable biopolymer poloxamer (Lutrol F127) for peribulbar injections and controlled drug release. The toxicity of injected poloxamer compounds was evaluated by visual inspection and histological and immunohistochemical tissue evaluation. The release of marker substances such as 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (376 Da) or fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FITC-dextran) (4-40 kDa) from poloxamer was used to simulate drug release and penetration into the eye using in vivo fluorometry. According to our clinical and pathological analyses, poloxamer was well tolerated in peribulbar injections and did not cause acute toxicity at the site of injection. The marker compounds were released from the site of injection during the first 24 hours. Although poloxamer appears to be suitable for peribulbar injections, a more prolonged period of dissolution is desirable for clinical purposes.

Solubility enhancement and development of dispersible tablet of meloxicam

The present research work investigates enhancement of dissolution profile of meloxicam using solid dispersion (SD) with various polymers. The work also describes the formulation of dispersible tablet (DT) and effervescent tablet of meloxicam. PEG 6000, PEG 8000, PEG 20000, Lutrol F-127, and β-cyclodextrin were selected for the preparation of SD. The SDs were prepared by melting and solvent evaporation methods. Dissolution studies were performed for plain meloxicam, SDs, and tablet formulations. Infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry were performed to identify the physicochemical interaction between drug and carriers. Dispersible tablets and effervescent tablets were compared with tablet containing plane drug for dissolution profile. Dissolution of DT improved significantly in SD product (<95% in 1 min).

Enhancement of iontophoretic transport of diphenhydramine hydrochloride thermosensitive gel by optimization of pH, polymer concentration, electrode design, and pulse rate.

The purpose of the present study was to explore the passive and electrically assisted transdermal transport of diphenhydramine hydrochloride (DPH) by iontophoresis. For better bioavailability, better patient compliance, and enhanced delivery of DPH, an iontophoretic drug delivery system of a thermosensitive DPH gel was formulated using Lutrol F-127. The study was conducted using silver-silver chloride electrodes across hairless pig skin. The effects of pH, polymer concentration, electrode design, and pulse rate on the DPH permeation were investigated. The relationship between temperature, viscosity, and conductance of DPH was correlated using conductometry. Iontophoretic transport of DPH was found to increase with a decrease in the pH of the medium and an increase in the surface area of the electrode. Viscosity measurements and flux calculations indicated the suitability of the Lutrol gel for transdermal iontophoretic delivery of DPH. Anodal pulsed iontophoresis with disc electrode significantly increased the DPH skin permeation as compared with the passive controls.

Investigations of a Novel Self-Emulsifying Osmotic Pump Tablet Containing Carvedilol

Carvedilol has been made into a novel osmotic pump tablet which includes Gelucire 44/14, Lutrol F68, Transcutol P, silicon dioxide, mannitol, citric acid, and sodium hydrogen carbonate. The Self-emulsifying osmotic pump tablet (SEOPT) has two outstanding features. It could improve the bioavailability of carvedilol by self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS), control the release rate and make the plasma concentrations more stable by elementary osmotic pump tablet. The results of transmission electron microscope (TEM) and particle size assessment showed that the shape of the resultant emulsion was round and regular, the average diameter of the particles was 246 nm. Since the solubility of carvedilol was improved by the emulsion, the elementary SEOPT could guarantee a complete release of carvedilol under the osmotic pressure of mannitol. The cumulative release at 12 hr was 85.18%. Therefore the disadvantage that lipophilic drugs can not be released completely when prepared into elementary osmotic pump tablet was resolved. The results of Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Infrared spectroscopy (IR) and X-ray diffraction diffraction (XRD) proved that carvedilol was amorphous in the preparation. The relative bioavailability of carvedilol in beagle dogs was 156.78%. The plasma concentrations were more stable compared with that of commercially available tablet (Luode®). And the in vitro and in vivo correlation was good (r = 0.9725). Therefore, the elementary SEOPT developed in this paper might provide a new idea for preparing lipophilic drugs into osmotic pump tablet conveniently.

Study of the Interaction Between Apis mellifera Venom and Micro-Heterogeneous Systems

The bee venom, used in treatment of inflammatory and articular diseases, is a complex mixture of peptides and enzymes and the presence of tryptophan allows the investigation by fluorescence techniques. Steady state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy were used to study the interaction between bee venom extracted from Apis mellifera and three micro heterogeneous systems: sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS) micelles, sodium dodecylsulphate-poly(ethylene oxide) (SDS-PEO) aggregates, and the polymeric micelles LUTROL F127, formed by poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)- poly(ethylene oxide). Fluorescence parameters in buffer solution were typical of peptides containing tryptophan exposed to the aqueous medium, and they gradually changed upon the addition of surfactant and polymeric micelles, demonstrating the interaction of the peptides with the micro heterogeneous systems. Quenching experiments were carried out using the N-alkylpyridinium ions (ethyl, hexyl, and dodecyl) as quenchers. In buffer solution the quenching has low efficiency and is independent of the alkyl chain length of the quencher. In the presence of the micro heterogeneous systems the extent of static and dynamic quenching enhanced, showing that both fluorophore and quenchers reside in the microvolume of the aggregates. The more hydrophobic quencher (dodecyl pyridinium ion) provides higher values for K (SV) and dynamic quenching constants, and SDS-PEO aggregates are most efficient to promote interaction between peptides and alkyl pyridinium ions. The results proved that bee venom interacts with drug delivery micelles of the copolymer LUTROL F127.

The evaluation of some pharmaceutically acceptable excipients as permeation enhancers for amoxicillin

The aim of the present study was to evaluate different pharmaceutically acceptable excipients as permeation enhancers for a low permeability drug, amoxicillin. As a model for the intestinal epithelium excised rat jejunum, mounted in side-by-side diffusion cells, was used. Amoxicillin was actively transported across the intestine in the serosal-to-mucosal direction, but only if glucose was present at the mucosal side. This effect of glucose was abolished by a multridrug resistance associated protein (MRP) inhibitor benzbromarone (0.04 mM), but not by verapamil (0.2 mM). Among the tested pharmaceutically acceptable excipients only sodium lauryl sulfate (0.2 mg/ml) increased the permeability of amoxicillin in the mucosal-to-serosal direction, which was accompanying with the abolishment of the secretory oriented transport of amoxicillin. Other excipients (0.072 mg/ml Pluronic F68, 0.2 mg/ml Lutrol F127, 0.2 mg/ml Cremophor EL or 0.2 mg/ml Carbopol 934) have no influence on the permeability of amoxicillin. The effect of sodium lauryl sulfate on the active secretion of amoxicillin was mainly attributed to the reversible cellular ATP depletion. We concluded that sodium lauryl sulfate can be considered as a relatively safe permeation enhancer for amoxicillin in drug delivery systems intended to improve oral bioavailability of this drug.

Animal Compound–Free Medium and Poloxamer for Human Corneal Organ Culture and Deswelling

Eliminating fetal calf serum (FCS) from corneal organ culture (OC) media has long been a challenge. This study was an assessment of a new animal compound-free (ACF) medium for corneal storage and of its combination with poloxamer for end-of-storage corneal deswelling. A randomized controlled study with masked assessment compared the ACF medium to standard commercialized media containing 2% FCS and their combination with dextran for deswelling. Paired human corneas were randomly allocated at procurement, one to the ACF medium and the other to the FCS media, and then assessed at day (D)2 and D30 of OC storage and after 48 hours of deswelling. Comparison criteria were endothelial cell density (ECD) and morphometry by a corneal analyser, quality of endothelial visualization (using saline), EC mortality (trypan blue), corneal thickness, corneal transparency, and folding. Fifty-six corneas (28 pairs) with ECD of 2000 cells/mm(2) or more were enrolled. Data were compared using paired tests with P < 0.01 deemed significant. Parameters were similar at baseline (D2) between groups. Daily EC loss during the 30 days of storage was reduced with the ACF compared with standard (-0.31% +/- 0.30% vs. -0.88% +/- 0.38%, P < 0.001). With poloxamer 188 (Lutrol F68; BASF, Ludwigshafen, Germany), EC loss was substantially reduced (-1.43% +/- 3.60 vs. -15.41% +/- 10.13%, P < 0.001) and morphometry better preserved, despite thickness reduction, transparency improvement and folding reduction comparable to dextran. After 30 days of storage in ACF medium and deswelling in poloxamer 188, ECD was 30% higher (2466 +/- 447 cells/mm(2) vs. 1729 +/- 281 cells/mm(2), P < 0.001). ACF medium alone and combined with poloxamer 188 considerably facilitated EC visualization at D30 and after deswelling. The ACF medium combined with poloxamer 188 for deswelling showed superiority over standard FCS medium in its ability to preserve EC viability and facilitate endothelial visualization. This innovative use of poloxamer for deswelling appears far less toxic than does dextran.

음이온성 유화제로 수식된 폴리락티드/글리코리드 공중합체 나노 입자와 백신의 결합성

Recently, studies on intranasal mucosa delivery of influenza vaccine have been actively developed because of lack of pain and ease of administration. We studied on preparation of nanoparticle delivery system using biodegradable polymer as a poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and their binding characteristics with vaccine. Three kinds of PLGA nanoparticles were prepared by spontaneous emulsification solvent diffusion (SESD) method using sodium dodecyl sulfate and sodium laurate as an anionic surfactant and Lutrol F68 (polyethylene glycol-block-polypropylene glycol copolymer) as a nonionic surfactant. The 5-aminofluorescein labeled vaccine was coated on the surface of nanoparticles by ionic complex. The complexes between vaccine and nanoparticles were confirmed by change of the size. After vaccine coating on the surface of anionic nanoparticles, particle size was increased from 174 to 1,040 nm. However the size of nonionic nanoparticles was not more increased than size of anionic nanoparticles. The amount of coated vaccine on the surface of PLGA nanoparticles was with sodium dodecyl sulfate, with sodium laurate, and with Lutrol F68, respectively. In conclusion, prepared nanoparticles in this study is possible to use as a virus-like nanoparticles and it could be accept in the field of influenza vaccine delivery system.

Poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) 나노입자의 표면 수식

We studied on preparation of nanoparticles modified surface using biodegradable polymer, poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA). Two kinds of PLGA nanoparticles were prepared by a spontaneous emulsification solvent diffusion (SESD) method using cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) and tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTAB) as a cationic surfactant and polyethylene glycol-block-polypropylene glycol copolymer (Lutrol F68) as a nonionic surfactant. Model protein was coated on the surface of nanoparticles by the ionic complexation. The model protein was that influenza vaccine (, B strain) labeled with NHS-fluorescein. The sizes of cationic nanoparticles were 140-160 nm and the surface charges were 50-60 mV. The sizes of nonionic nanoprticles were 80-90 nm and the surface charge was -10 mV. After coating vaccine on the surface of nanoparticles, the sizes of cationic nanoparticles were increased to 380-400 nm and the size of nonionic nanoparticles was not increased. The amount of coated vaccine on the cationic nanoparticles was 22.73 /mg.

Thin liquid films from polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene-block copolymer on the surface of fused quartz

The thickness of thin liquid films, formed from solutions of a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene-block copolymer (Lutrol F127 or poloxamer 407) on a substrate of fused quartz was measured using the microinterferometric method. The polymer adsorption at the air/liquid interface was studied by surface tension measurements in the absence and presence of 0.15 M NaCl. CMC and the thickness of the adsorption layers were determined from the surface tension data. The polymer adsorption at the SiO 2/aqueous solution interface was studied using a spectrophotometric method, based on the colored polymer–iodine complex. The conformation of the adsorbed molecules at both interfaces was determined as being a ‘brush’. The influence of the electrolyte concentration on the thickness of the thin liquid films was investigated. It was found that, for NaCl concentration higher than 10 −2 M, the film thickness remained constant. A conclusion was made that 10 −2 M NaCl was the electrolyte concentration, above which the electrostatic disjoining pressure was fully suppressed and film stability might be explained by the influence of the steric component of the disjoining pressure.

A novel method for the isolation of motile bacteria using gradient culture systems

Isolation of motile bacteria from stream water samples was achieved by using Lutrol F127 (poloxamer 407) as a gelling agent in culture media. This block copolymer has the property of repeatedly liquefying and solidifying at low and high temperatures, respectively. The ability of motile bacteria to move through liquid-state Lutrol F127 towards a higher nutrient concentration was exploited. After establishment of the nutrient gradient and inoculation, the system was cooled to liquefy the medium and kept liquid to allow motile bacteria to move. Raising the temperature allowed solidification and prevented further movement. Colonies could be easily removed. The proportion of motile isolates (determined by microscopic observation) increased from 42% in the indigenous population to 100% after isolation using the gradient system.

The Effect of Temperature and Polymer Concentration on Dynamic Surface Tension and Wetting Ability of Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose Solutions

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate quantitatively the changes of dynamic surface tension and contact angle of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) aqueous solutions as a function of temperature and polymer concentration of the examined solutions. HPMC aqueous solutions of different concentrations (1%, 2%, 3%, 4% w/w) were prepared without plasticizer and with 1% w/w Lutrol F127. Dynamic surface tension of the prepared solutions was determined by the Du Nouy ring method of the KSV Sigma 70 computer-controlled and programmable tensiometer. The dynamic contact angle of Avicel PH-101 tablets was measured against HPMC solutions of various concentrations by the plate method of the KSV Sigma 70 tensiometer. The obtained results indicate that dynamic surface tension measurement can be applied for the accurate determination of the thermal gelation temperature of the prepared HPMC solutions. With increasing concentration of HPMC, dynamic contact angle values of solutions also increased, thus decreasing the spreading behavior on the surface of Avicel tablets.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Pulmonary Ventilation

The authors investigate whether a modified gadolinium (Gd)-DTPA formulation can be aerosolized and used as a contrast agent for magnetic resonance (MR) ventilation imaging of the lungs. Gadolinium-DTPA (gadopentetate dimeglumine, Schering AG, Berlin, Germany, 100 mmol Gd/L) was modified by addition of mannitol (Sigma, Deisenhofen, Germany, 10 mg/mL) and the surface active detergent Lutrol F68 (BASF, Mannheim, Germany, 2 mg/mL). The imaging was performed in an anesthetized rat model after inhalation of the contrast agent aerosol (PulmoSonic, De Vilbiss, Germany, 10-minute nebulization). T1-weighted spin echo images (repetitive time [TR]/echo time [TE] = 40/3 mseconds) were acquired at 2 T (SIS 85; Sisco, Fremont, CA) before and as long as 120 minutes after administration of the contrast agent. The modified Gd-DTPA aerosol elicited high and relatively homogeneous enhancement of the lung directly after nebulization. The enhancement was more pronounced than that obtained with a Gd-DTPA formulation without additives. Gadolinium-DTPA-based aerosol appears to be a suitable contrast agent for MR ventilation imaging in an experimental animal model. Modification by mannitol (to increase proton density through a slight additional osmotic effect) and a detergent (to reduce droplet size by decreasing surface tension) is suitable and effective in increasing signal intensity compared with Gd-DTPA without modification.