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The effect of PLGA doping of polycaprolactone films on the control of osteoblast adhesion and proliferation in vitro.

Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) film was modified using specified amounts of poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) to provide a means to control polymer degradation. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of doping PCL with PLGA on the materials degradation, morphology and cell adhesion, to determine the significant variables within the process that could provide further control of cell adhesion. PLGA-doped PCL films were aged in osteogenic medium at 37 degrees C for up to 28 days. The aged samples were analysed in terms of weight loss or weight gain, molecule deposition and surface morphology. Molecule deposition was determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflectance mode (FTIR-ATR) and morphology was determined using scanning electron microscopy and interferometric microscopy. The loss of the PLGA doping during degradation enhanced the formation of nano-porous structures in the remaining PCL domains, which attracted the deposition of substances from the osteogenic medium, which favoured the attachment and growth of human osteoblasts. The growth of osteoblasts was influenced by the controlled release of acidic products through polymer blending. Two pairs of FTIR-ATR absorption bands at 1090 and 1110 cm(-1), and at 1180 and 1190 cm(-1) were found to correlate to both PLGA and PCL, respectively. Changing the level of PLGA doping in PCL provided an approach to control the acidic products which can direct the growth of osteoblast cells.

Caproates↗

Synthesis of an X-ray opaque biodegradable copolyester by chemical modification of poly (epsilon-caprolactone).

Poly (epsilon-caprolactone-co-alpha-iodo-epsilon-caprolactone) was synthesized by binding iodine to PCL chain bearing carbanionic site on alpha-position of carbonyl groups using lithium diisopropylamide. Copolyesters containing from 10% to 25% of iodo-units were thus obtained. Viscoelastic properties (modulus, loss angle), thermal properties (T(m), T(c), DeltaH(m)), crystallinity and in vitro degradability of this new type of copolymers were measured. Their opacity to X-rays was assessed, and appeared high enough to be of interest for biomedical applications.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Biodegradability and biocompatibility of a pH- and thermo-sensitive hydrogel formed from a sulfonamide-modified poly(epsilon-caprolactone-co-lactide)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(epsilon-caprolactone-co-lactide) block copolymer.

A pH- and thermo-sensitive block copolymer was synthesized by adding pH-sensitive sulfamethazine oligomers (SMOs) to either end of a thermo-sensitive poly(epsilon-caprolactone-co-lactide)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(epsilon-caprolactone-co-lactide) (PCLA-PEG-PCLA) block copolymer. The resulting pH- and thermo-sensitive SMO-PCLA-PEG-PCLA-SMO block copolymer solution did not form a gel at high pH (pH 8.0) or at increased temperatures (ca. 70 degrees C), but did form a stable gel under physiological conditions (pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C). The degradation rate of the pH- and thermo-sensitive block copolymer decreased substantially compared with the control block copolymer of PCLA-PEG-PCLA, due to the buffering effect of the SMO-PCLA-PEG-PCLA-SMO sulfonamide groups on the acidic monomer-induced rapid degradation of PCLA-PEG-PCLA. This suitable sol-gel transition and sustained biodegradability of the pH- and thermo-sensitive SMO-PCLA-PEG-PCLA-SMO block copolymer resolves two of the major drawbacks associated with thermo-sensitive block copolymers, namely premature gelation and rapid degradation. Interestingly, SMO-PCLA-PEG-PCLA-SMO showed no evidence of cytotoxicity in vitro. However, subcutaneous injection of the pH- and thermo-sensitive block copolymer solution (20wt% in PBS at pH 8.0) into Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats resulted in rapid, stable gel formation, with the injected hydrogel being completely degraded in vivo in just 6 weeks. The injected hydrogel in vivo presented a typical acute inflammation within 2 weeks, although chronic inflammation was not observed during the first 6-week period. As such, the pH- and thermo-sensitive hydrogel of the SMO-PCLA-PEG-PCLA-SMO block copolymer is a suitable candidate for use in drug delivery systems and cell therapy.

Animals↗

Role of prostaglandin receptor subtype EP1 in prostaglandin E2-induced nociceptive transmission in the rat spinal dorsal horn.

It has been indicated that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and the receptor for PGE2 (EP receptor) are key factors contributing to the facilitated generation of nociception. This study was designed to investigate the roles of PGE2 and EP1 receptors in the spinal cord in the nociceptive transmission, using behavioral and intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) assays and in situ hybridization. Experiments were conducted on Sprague-Dawley rats. In behavioral assays, withdrawal thresholds to mechanical stimuli were evaluated using von Frey filament. The effect of an intrathecally administered selective EP1 antagonist, 6-[(2S,3S)-3-(4-chloro-2-methylphenylsulfonylaminomethyl)-bicyclo[2.2.2]octan-2-yl]-5Z-hexenoic acid (ONO-8711), on the intrathecal PGE2-induced hyperalgesia was examined. In [Ca2+]i assays, we measured [Ca2+]i in the dorsal horn of spinal cord slices and examined the effects of PGE2 and ONO-8711 perfusion on the [Ca2+]i changes. In situ hybridization using EP1 digoxigenin probe was performed on the slice sections of the lumbar spinal cord and bilateral L4 and L5 dorsal root ganglions (DRGs). Mechanical hyperalgesia was observed after intrathecal PGE2 administration. Intrathecal administration of ONO-8711 attenuated the PGE2-induced mechanical hyperalgesia in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Perfusion of ONO-8711 markedly suppressed PGE2-induced [Ca2+]i increment in laminae II-VI in dorsal horn of the spinal cord slice. Moreover, in situ hybridization revealed EP1 hybridization signals in the DRG neurons, but not in the spinal cord. The results of this study suggested that spinal PGE2 activates the EP1 receptors existing on the central terminals of primary afferents, subsequently increasing in [Ca2+]i in the spinal dorsal horn, which are involved in the mechanisms of spinal PGE2-induced nociceptive transmission.

Afferent Pathways↗

Facile synthesis of a D-galactono-1,6-lactone derivative, a precursor of a copolyester.

2,3,4,6-Tetra-O-methyl-d-galactonic acid (5) was readily prepared from d-galactono-1,4-lactone (1) in 47% yield. The sequence involves tritylation of HO-6 of 1, followed by O-permethylation and deprotection. Lactonization of 5 led to the per-O-methyl-d-galactono-1,6-lactone, which was copolymerized with epsilon-caprolactone by ring-opening polymerization catalyzed by scandium triflate. The incorporation of the sugar comonomer into the polyester chain was about 10%.

Caproates↗

Quick determination of malodor-causing fatty acids in manure by capillary electrophoresis.

The analysis of odor components in livestock waste has been extensively studied. Past research has identified volatile fatty acids, especially from C3 to C6, as indicators of malodor. Originally, the odorous components were analyzed by gas chromatography after a tedious absorption and troublesome extraction procedure or by a subjectively olfactory system or sense of smell. Thus, there is a need for the development of highly specific, quantitative analytical methods. In this research, a comprehensive liquid manure analysis approach-capillary electrophoresis (CE) with a systematic optimization procedure-was adopted to measure the concentration of propanoic acid (C2H5COOH, C3), butyric acid (C3H7COOH, C4), valeric acid (C4H9COOH, C5) and caproic acid (C5H11COOH, C6) in swine manure. Liquid samples after filtration were injected into CE directly. The following condition is finally proposed: fused-silica capillary, effective length 40 cm, 50 microm I.D.; buffer, 20 mM Tris and 10 mM p-anisate, pH 8.0; voltage 30 kV; temperature 25 degrees C. The results showed that CE provided a quantitative analysis of volatile fatty acids in liquid manure at the ppm level with minimum sample needed (nanoliter). Moreover, the use of CE is a timesaving technique; one measurement for the separation of those VFAs could be completed within 10 min.

Animals↗

Highly stable core-surface-crosslinked nanoparticles as cisplatin carriers for cancer chemotherapy.

Cisplatin is a potent anticancer drug with low solubility in water. A new type of highly stable polymer micelles, namely core-surface-crosslinked nanoparticles (SCNPs) made from amphiphilic brush copolymers, were evaluated as the carrier of cisplatin. Cisplatin could be loaded in the SCNPs with poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) cores and hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) or poly[2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PDMA) shells with high loading efficiency (approximately 90%). In vitro cellular uptake experiments indicated that both SCNPs could be easily taken up by SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells. Both cell proliferation assay and IC50 measurements indicated that cisplatin encapsulated in the SCNPs had much enhanced cytotoxicity to the cancer cells compared to free cisplatin. The positive charges on the PCL/PDMA SCNPs promoted the cellular internalization of the nanoparticles, resulting in higher cytotoxicity of cisplatin in these SCNPs. The IC50 of the cisplatin encapsulated in PCL/PDMA SCNPs was as low as 0.01 microg/mL, lower than that of cisplatin in PCL/PEG SCNPs and free cisplatin.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Olfactory shifts parallel superspecialism for toxic fruit in Drosophila melanogaster sibling, D. sechellia.

Olfaction in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is increasingly understood, from ligand-receptor-neuron combinations to their axonal projection patterns into the antennal lobe . Drosophila thus offers an excellent opportunity to study the evolutionary and ecological dynamics of olfactory systems. We compared the structure and function of the generalist D. melanogaster with that of specialist D. sechellia, which oviposits exclusively on morinda fruit . Our analyses show that whereas the fruit's headspace was dominated by acids, antennae responded most strongly to hexanoates. D. sechellia exhibited an extraordinarily strong response to methyl hexanoate (MeHex). Behaviorally, D. sechellia was much more attracted to these morinda fruit volatiles than was D. melanogaster. The high sensitivity to MeHex was paralleled by a 2.5x-3 x overrepresentation of MeHex neurons on the antenna and a concordant 2.9 x increase in volume of the corresponding glomerulus as compared to D. melanogaster. In addition, the MeHex neuron exhibited an extreme sensitivity down to femtograms of its ligand. In contrast, no peripherally mediated shift was found paralleling D. sechellia's increased attraction to acids. These findings are a demonstration of evolution acting at several levels in the olfactory circuitry in mediating a fruit fly's unique preference for fruit toxic to its sibling species .

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Maintenance of vascular endothelial growth factor and potentially other therapeutic proteins bioactivity during a photo-initiated free radical cross-linking reaction forming biodegradable elastomers.

Previously, we prepared a biodegradable elastomeric device that can release different therapeutic proteins at a nearly constant rate in nanomolar concentrations with high bioactivity. The elastomer device was fabricated using a photo-initiated free radical cross-linking reaction of acrylated star(epsilon-caprolactone-co-D,L-lactide) in organic solvent in the presence of solid protein particles. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of various parameters used for fabricating the photo-cross-linked elastomeric device on the stability of a therapeutic protein, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), to determine which factor plays the dominant role in protecting VEGF. VEGF was lyophilized with or without bovine serum albumin (BSA) and then suspended in solid state in a macromer (acrylated star-poly(epsilon-caprolactone-co-D,L-lactide)) solution containing different concentrations of a free radical initiator, 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone (DMPA). The protein suspension was then UV-irradiated at different intensities. UV irradiation with the generation of free radicals was detrimental to VEGF stability. BSA preserved the VEGF bioactivity during UV irradiation but provided little protection in the presence of the photo-initiator DMPA. The acrylated macromer acted as a free radical scavenger and effectively preserved VEGF and BSA stability during UV-initiated photo-polymerization. The detrimental effect of UV radiation with free radical generation on VEGF stability during device manufacture can be eliminated by choosing the proper bulking agents coupled with an efficient photo-polymerization reaction.

1-Octanol↗

In vitro release of a water-soluble agent from low viscosity biodegradable, injectable oligomers.

Low-molecular-weight poly(epsilon-caprolactone-co-1,3-trimethylene carbonate) and poly(1,3-trimethylene carbonate) are potential vehicles for the regio-specific delivery of water-soluble agents. In this paper, the characteristics and the mechanism governing the in vitro release of a model water-soluble drug, vitamin B12, from these polymer vehicles were determined. The loading of vitamin B12 was kept to 1 w/w%. The oligomers examined ranged from amorphous, high viscosity to crystalline but low viscosity. The oligomers did not degrade appreciably in vitro. The total fraction of vitamin B12 released increased as the crystallinity of the oligomers decreased, reaching nearly total release only for the completely amorphous oligomers. The rate of release was fastest for the amorphous oligomers and dependent on their viscosity. Inclusion of a more osmotically active agent, trehalose, into the vitamin B12 particles through co-lyophilization resulted in enhanced total fraction released and a faster release rate. The results are consistent with an osmotically driven release mechanism.

Caproates↗

Fish and shellfish as dietary sources of methylmercury and the omega-3 fatty acids, eicosahexaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid: risks and benefits.

Fish and shellfish supply the human diet with not only complex nutrients including the omega-3 fatty acids, but also highly toxic chemicals including methylmercury. The dietary essential fatty acids are linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid. Two omega-3 fatty acids with longer carbon chains, eicosahexaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), can be synthesized in humans from alpha-linolenic precursors. Though not required in the diet per se, EPA and DHA have important roles in metabolism. The almost exclusive source of preformed dietary DHA is fish and shellfish. These foods are also an important source of EPA. In marked contrast to the benefits of fish and shellfish as sources of preformed omega-3 fatty acids, fish and shellfish are almost exclusively the dietary source of methylmercury. Fortunately, these chemicals are not uniformly distributed across many species of fish and shellfish. The purpose of this article is to provide information on the comparative distribution of these chemicals and nutrients to help groups formulating dietary recommendations.

Animals↗

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of heteroaryl diketohexenoic and diketobutanoic acids as HIV-1 integrase inhibitors endowed with antiretroviral activity.

Highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) using reverse transcriptase (RT) and protease (PR) inhibitors and, more recently, inhibitors of the fusion is currently the best clinical approach in combating acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), caused by infection from human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). However, this therapy does not completely eradicate the virus, so that resistant strains easily emerge. The above problem calls urgently for research on inhibitors of further viral targets such as integrase (IN), the third enzyme produced by HIV. Recently, our research group was engaged in studies on conformationally restrained cinnamoyl compounds related to curcumin as anti-IN agents. Compounds containing both a 3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl group and a carboxylic acid function were potent IN inhibitors active against viral replication. More recently, a promising new class of inhibitors synthesized by Merck Company has emerged, which contain aryldiketoacid (ADK) functionality. The ADKs selectively inhibited the stand transfer (ST) step of integration and were proven to be effective IN inhibitors in vivo. Our interest in the field of IN inhibitors led us to design pyrrole and indole derivatives containing both a cinnamoyl moiety and a diketoacid group. A number of the cited derivatives were proven potent IN inhibitors, which selectively inhibited the ST step at submicromolar concentrations and were effective against virus replication in HIV-1 infected cells.

Anti-Retroviral Agents↗

Engineered Aeromonas hydrophila for enhanced production of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) with alterable monomers composition.

Aeromonas hydrophila 4AK4 produces poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) containing 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) and about 15 mol% 3-hydroxyhexanoate (3HHx) from dodecanoate. To study the factors affecting the monomer composition and PHBHHx content, genes encoding phasin (phaP), PHA synthase (phaC) and (R)-specific enoyl-CoA hydratase (phaJ) from Aeromonas punctata (formerly named Aeromonas caviae) were introduced individually or jointly into A. hydrophila 4AK4. The phaC gene increased 3HHx fraction more significantly than phaP, while phaJ had little effect. Expression of phaC alone increased the 3HHx fraction from 14 to 22 mol%. When phaC was co-expressed with phaP and phaJ, the 3HHx fraction increased from 14 to 34 mol%. Expression of phaP or phaC alone or with another gene enhanced PHBHHx content up to 64%, cell dry weight (CDW) as much as 4.4 gL(-1) and PHBHHx concentration to 2.7 gL(-1) after 48 h in shake flask culture. The results suggest that a higher PHA synthase activity could lead to a higher 3HHx fraction and PHBHHx content. Co-expression of phaJ with phaC or phaP would favor PHA accumulation, although over-expression of phaJ did not affect PHA synthesis much. In addition, inhibition of beta-oxidation by acrylate in A. hydrophila 4AK4 enhanced PHBHHx content. However, no monomers longer than 3HHx were detected. The results show that genetic modification of A. hydrophila 4AK4 enhanced PHBHHx production and altered monomer composition of the polymer.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗

Molecular cloning and functional analysis of two polyhydroxyalkanoate synthases from two strains of Aeromonas hydrophila spp.

Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthase genes (phaC) were cloned from two Aeromonas hydrophila strains named WQ and 4AK5, respectively. Both strains are able to produce PHBHHx copolyesters consisting of 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) and 3-hydroxyhexanoate (3HHx). Sequence analysis showed that there was only 2 bp difference between these two PHA synthase genes, corresponding to two-amino acid difference at positions of 437 and 458 of the two synthases. PHA productivity and its monomer content produced by A. hydrophila WQ and A. hydrophila 4AK5 were quite different. A. hydrophila WQ accumulated 33% PHBHHx of its cell dry weight (CDW) with 5 mol% 3HHx in the copolyester when cultured in lauric acid for 48 h. Yet A. hydrophila 4AK5 was able to produce 43% PHBHHx of the CDW with 14 mol% 3HHx under the same condition. Hetero-expression of PHA synthase genes of A. hydrophila WQ and A. hydrophila 4AK5, respectively, in Escherichia coli XL1-Blue led to PHBHHx accumulation of 24% and 39% of the CDW and the 3HHx content in PHBHHx were 6 and 15 mol%, respectively. This indicated that the function of these two PHA synthases were different due to these two different residues at positions of 437 and 458. Site specific mutation was carried out to change these two amino acid residues. Results showed that the changes on either of the two amino acids negatively affected the PHA productivity.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗

Effect of over-expression of phasin gene from Aeromonas hydrophila on biosynthesis of copolyesters of 3-hydroxybutyrate and 3-hydroxyhexanoate.

The gene phaPAh, encoding the protein phasin that is associated with poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) granule of Aeromonas hydrophila 4AK4, was cloned and characterized. Recombinant strains harboring additional copies of the phasin gene (phaPAh) and the polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthase gene (phaCAh) accumulated PHBHHx copolyesters consisting of 21 mol% 3-hydroxyhexanoate (3HHx) as compared to 14 mol% 3HHx produced by wild type strain. The molecular weight of PHBHHx produced by the above recombinants was lower than that obtained from the wild type strain grown under similar conditions. Over-expression of phaPAh led to the production of more PHA granules but with reduced sizes. SDS-PAGE showed that PhaPAh was the predominant protein present in the PHBHHx granules. The RT-PCR results suggested that phasin PhaPAh, regulated phaCAh gene at the transcription level. Gene PhaPWe from Wautersia eutropha (formerly Ralstonia eutropha; encoding a 20 kDa protein with low amino acid homology to the A. hydrophila 13 kDa protein) cloned into A. hydrophila 4AK4 exhibited similar effects on PHBHHx production and PHBHHx composition. These data suggest that the phasins could represent a protein family possessing similar functions but different structures.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗

Synthesis of chitosan-based polymeric surfactants and their adsorption properties for heavy metals and fatty acids.

Chitosan-based polymeric surfactants (CBPSs) were prepared by N-acylation of chitosans (chitosan 10 and 500) with several acid anhydrides such as hexanoic (C6), lauric (C12), and palmitic (C16) anhydrides. Among the CBPS samples, CBPSs having a good solubility at pH 4.0 were selected and observed for viscosity, surface tension, and adsorption of heavy metals (Cd2+, Co2+, Cr2O7(2-), and Pb2+) as well as the fatty acid (n-octanoic acid). The 1H NMR spectrum of chitosan 10 modified with C16 at the substitution ratio of 0.4 (CBPS10-C16,0.4) showed 85% of acylation in 1% DCl/D2O solutions. CBPS10 with the substitution ratio less than 0.4 showed a good solubility because of shorter repeating units and lesser amounts of hydrophobic substituents. The intrinsic viscosity of CBPS10 was slightly increased, while that of CBPS500 was decreased. As the substitution ratio and length of the carbon chain increased, the surface tension of CBPS10 tended to decrease. CBPS10-C16,0.2 had high adsorption ability for cationic metal ions such as Cd2+, Co2+, and Pb2+ comparable to chitosan. Interestingly, CBPS(10)-C(16,0.2) showed a unique pH optimum for the anionic metal ion such as Cr2O7(2-). In addition, CBPS10-C16,0.2 exhibited the highest adsorption ability for n-octanoic acid among the tested CBPS10 with different carbon chains.

Adsorption↗

Poly-epsilon-caprolactone microspheres and nanospheres: an overview.

Poly-epsilon-caprolactone (PCL) is a biodegradable, biocompatible and semicrystalline polymer having a very low glass transition temperature. Due to its slow degradation, PCL is ideally suitable for long-term delivery extending over a period of more than one year. This has led to its application in the preparation of different delivery systems in the form of microspheres, nanospheres and implants. Various categories of drugs have been encapsulated in PCL for targeted drug delivery and for controlled drug release. Microspheres of PCL either alone or of PCL copolymers have been prepared to obtain the drug release characteristics. This article reviews the advancements made in PCL-based microspheres and nanospheres with special reference to the method of preparation of these and their suitability in developing effective delivery systems.

Animals↗

Preparation and characterization of poly-epsilon-caprolactone nanoparticles containing griseofulvin.

Griseofulvin is an antifungal agent with poor solubility and low bioavailability. The aim of this work was to prepare poly-epsilon-caprolactone nanospheres and nanocapsules of griseofulvin by nanoprecipitation and to characterize them. Nanoparticles of griseofulvin were obtained with high encapsulation efficiency. The particle size was about 250-326 nm for nanospheres and 390-400 nm for nanocapsules. The dissolution rate of griseofulvin nanoparticles was higher than that of micronized griseofulvin therefore recourse to nanoencapsulation of griseofulvin should enhance its bioavailability and possibly its efficiency for the treatment of dermatomycosis.

Caproates↗