A new method for targeted drug delivery using polymeric microcapsules: implications for treatment of Crohn's disease.

Abstract

Recent research and clinical evidence suggest that thalidomide could potentially be used to treat inflammation associated with Crohn's disease. However, systemic side effects associated with large doses of this drug have limited its widespread use. Treatment with thalidomide would prove more efficacious if the drug could be delivered directly to target areas in the gut, thereby reducing systemic circulation. Microcapsule encapsulation could enable direct delivery of the drug. To assess the latter, we designed and tested drug-targeting release characteristics of alginate-poly-L-lysine-alginate (APA) microcapsules in simulated gastrointestinal environments. The results show that APA capsules enabled delivery of thalidomide in the middle and distal portions of the small intestine. We also compared the APA membrane formulation with an earlier designed alginate chitosan (AC) membrane thalidomide formulation. The results show that both APA and AC capsules allow for successful delivery of thalidomide in the gut and could prove beneficial in the treatment of Crohn's disease. However, further research is required.

• Authors: Terrence Metz, Mitchell L Jones, Hongmei Chen, Trisnawati Halim, Maryam Mirzaei, Tasima Haque, Devendra Amre, Sujata K Das, Satya Prakash
• Journal: Cell biochemistry and biophysics (Cell Biochem Biophys) Vol. 43 Issue 1 Pg. 77-85 ( 2005) ISSN: 1085-9195 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16043885 (Publication Type: Evaluation Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Alginates
• Coated Materials, Biocompatible
• Drug Carriers
• Hexuronic Acids
• Polylysine
• Thalidomide
• Glucuronic Acid

Topics

• Alginates (chemistry)
• Animals
• Coated Materials, Biocompatible (chemistry)
• Crohn Disease (drug therapy)
• Diffusion
• Drug Carriers (administration & dosage, chemistry)
• Drug Delivery Systems (methods)
• Gastrointestinal Contents (chemistry)
• Glucuronic Acid (chemistry)
• Hexuronic Acids (chemistry)
• Humans
• Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
• Intestines (chemistry)
• Materials Testing
• Microspheres
• Particle Size
• Polylysine (chemistry)
• Thalidomide (administration & dosage, chemistry)