A review of block polymer surfactants

Inhibition of red blood cell-induced platelet aggregation in whole blood by a nonionic surfactant, poloxamer 188 (RheothRx injection)

RheothRx Injection, an aqueous solution of a nonionic block copolymer (poloxamer 188) formulated for intravenous administration, was investigated as an inhibitor of red blood cell (RBC)-induced platelet aggregation at plasma concentrations of 0.05-5mgmL-1. Platelet aggregation was determined by measuring the fall in single platelet counts after mechanical agitation of 2mL aliquots of citrated whole blood in a 37 degrees C shaking waterbath. Inhibition of RBC-induced platelet aggregation of > 95% was observed for poloxamer 188 at a concentration of 1mgmL-1, and 41% inhibition was observed at 0.05mgmL-1. Poloxamer 188 was observed to be a more effective inhibitor of RBC-induced platelet aggregation than 2-chloradenosine (2-ClAd) or phosphoenolpyruvate/pyruvate kinase (PEP/PK). Studies using platelet rich plasma (PRP) showed that platelet aggregation could not be induced by shaking in the absence of RBC, though aggregation was induced by the addition of exogenous adenosine diphosphate (ADP). Poloxamer 188 did not inhibit ADP-induced platelet aggregation. We propose that poloxamer 188 protects RBC from mechanical trauma by non-specific adsorption of copolymer to the RBC surface (via the hydrophobic polyoxypropylene moiety), and that this effect prevents mechanical damage and hence leakage of ADP from RBC. RheothRx Injection has been shown to have value in the treatment of acute ischemic disorders such as myocardial infarction. The observation of significant inhibition of RBC-induced platelet aggregation at clinically relevant concentrations suggests that RheothRx Injection may have antithrombotic properties in vivo, and may therefore have potential not only in acute ischemia but also to prevent thrombosis within vascular prostheses or to prevent rethrombosis after angioplasty or endarterectomy.

Pefloxacine mesilate- and ofloxacin-loaded polyethylcyanoacrylate nanoparticles: characterization of the colloidal drug carrier formulation

The entrapment of fluoroquinolones, perfloxacine mesilate (PFX) and ofloxacin (OFX), in polyalkylcyanoacrylate (PECA) nanoparticles could offer some advantages for their biological application; for examples, increasing their bioavailability, controlling the drug time-release in blood, and reducing the formation of bacterial resistance. To load these two drugs in PECA polymeric bulk, the incorporation or adsorption method was performed. These two methods were capable of influencing nanoparticle size, molecular weight, release profile, and drug-polymer association. The incorporation method, particularly for the OFX system, achieved PECA nanoparticle suspensions with a mean size value three times higher than that obtained in the absence of the drug. In contrast, negligible changes were observed for PFX systems. This preparation process also influenced the nanoparticle storage stability. The molecular weight values of the various nanoparticle preparations were also influenced; that is, the PFX-loaded systems showed an enhancement in the average molecular weight values, whereas a reduction was observed for OFX-loaded systems. The adsorption method showed no particular difference in particle size, molecular weight, and storage stability compared with nanoparticles prepared without the drugs. The nanoparticle loading capacity was higher for the colloidal systems obtained following the incorporation preparation procedure. The release of drug from the nanoparticles was biphasic for both preparation processes. The fluoro-quinolone-loaded nanoparticles showed an enhancement of the antimicrobial activity against standard bacteria strains from 2- to 50-fold compared with the free drugs.

Haemolytic properties of pluronic surfactants and effects of purification

The effects of incubating blood from mice, rats, rabbits or hamsters with either a commercial grade or a silica-purified fraction of Pluronic F-68 or Pluronic F-38 have been studied. Incubation of blood with up to 4.0% (w/v) of commercial or purified Pluronic F-68 produced no detectable haemolysis (< 0.1%). Haemolysis did occur with concentrations of commercial Pluronic F-68 above 4.0% (w/v). This was maximal with rat blood incubated with 10.0% (w/v) Pluronic F-68, where the mean haemolysis was 4.7 +/- 1.5%; the mean haemolysis in rat blood was reduced to 0.5 +/- 0.3% (P < 0.05) following incubation with the purified Pluronic F-68 fraction. Neither commercial grade or purified Pluronic F-38 produced any significant haemolysis when incubated with rat or hamster blood. Incubation of rabbit blood with 10.0% (w/v) commercial Pluronic F-38 produced only 0.5% haemolysis.

Catalysis by alpha-chymotrypsin entrapped into surface-modified polymeric nanogranules in organic solvent

Physicochemical characteristics of previously suggested surface-modified polymeric nanogranules (SMPN) and catalytic and stability properties of alpha-chymotrypsin entrapped into such nanogranules in a nonpolar solvent were investigated in more details. SMPN were obtained by polymerization of an acrylamide/N,N'-methylene-bisacrylamide mixture in a mixed reversed micellar system composed of Aerosol OT [sodium di(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate] and the polymeric surfactant Pluronic F-108 modified with polymerizable groups, followed by the chromatographic removal of the auxiliary surfactant, Aerosol OT. An optimal solvent system was found providing the required orientation of the polymeric surfactant in starting mixed micelles, i.e. with polar fragments immersed into the micellar interior and apolar fragments protruding into organic solvent. The hydrodynamic diameter of SMPN in benzene solution was estimated by means of quasi-elastic light scattering to be 84 +/- 1 nm. Catalytic and stability properties of alpha-chymotrypsin entrapped into SMPN strongly depended on conditions of preparation of SMPN. The optimal concentration of acrylamide monomers in the micellar interior and hydration degree of starting reversed micelles were found to be 20% by mass and wo = 15, respectively. alpha-Chymotrypsin-containing SMPN were used as a catalyst in the synthesis of N-acetyl-L-tyrosine ethyl ester from N-acetyl-L-tyrosine and ethanol, performed in a membrane reactor.

Stability and stabilization of fluorocarbon emulsions destined for injection

The factors that have an impact on the stability, and the mechanisms of degradation of fluorocarbon emulsions suited for intravascular use, are briefly reviewed. Various ways of prolonging shelf stability are discussed. The effectiveness of perfluoroalkylated surfactants and/or co-surfactants as stabilizers is demonstrated. New means of stabilizing fluorocarbon-in-water emulsions using molecular dowels are presented.

Synthetic oxygen transport fluids based on perfluorochemicals: applications in medicine and biology

Recent advances in the development and assessment of synthetic oxygen transport fluids based on perfluorochemicals (PFCs) are reviewed. The basic properties of PFCs are outlined, together with the selection criteria for biomedical applications. PFCs must be emulsified for intravascular use and attention is focussed on the formulation and biocompatibility testing of both first- and second-generation emulsions and their components in man and other species. The multidisciplinary applications for PFCs in medicine and basic biomedical research are described, including the clinical use of Fluosol-DA 20% as an oxygen-carrying perfusate in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

Micellar aggregation of poloxamer 213 and its interaction with cholesterol derivatives

The micellar properties of Poloxamer 213 (1), a Pluronic copolymer shown to affect lipid absorption and serum cholesterol level in experimental animals, are investigated by surface tension measurements, photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS), Reichardt's dye solubilization technique, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrometry, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The clear inflection point at 3 x 10(-6) M (25 degrees C) observed in the surface tension-concentration curve may not represent the CMC for the formation of multimolecular aggregates. In the 10(-4) to 10(-2) M concentration range, the temperature-dependent transition (as the concentration of 1 increases) from the larger (hydrodynamic radius, Rh approximately 20-40 nm), highly hydrated aggregates to the contracted (Rh approximately 6-7 nm), less polar form occurs as a discontinuity. This process is endothermic, with an average delta H of 34.5 kcal/mol. At 25 degrees C, both the 25-(NBD-methylamino)-27-norcholesterol (fluorescence probe) and 3-Doxyl-5 alpha-cholestane (EPR spin probe) begin to show significant interaction with 1 in the 10(-3) M range. The sequestration of the fluorescent cholesterol probe by 1 aggregates begins at approximately 2 x 10(-4) M at 35 degrees C. Analysis of EPR and fluorescence data indicates that the cholesterol analogues are in a nonpolar micellar environment of low fluidity. The significance and implication of the data are discussed in the context of the hypothesized cholesterol sequestration by 1 under physiological conditions.

Adjuvants

A number of adjuvants of importance in veterinary vaccines are reviewed. These include mineral salt adjuvants, oil adjuvants, hydrophilic and hydrophobic bloc polymers, hydrocarbons and surface active agents. The current and future applications of these substances and their possible modes of action are discussed. Creation of an adjuvant register by the newly formed European Adjuvant Group should facilitate accumulation of information on adjuvants.

The organ distribution and circulation time of intravenously injected colloidal carriers sterically stabilized with a block copolymer--poloxamine 908

Colloidal carriers injected intravenously are normally removed rapidly and efficiently by the liver and this represents a major barrier to drug targeting. By coating model microspheres and emulsions with a block co-polymer (poloxamine) it has been possible to keep the carrier circulating in the vascular compartment with little or no uptake by the reticuloendothelial system.

An adjuvant formulation that selectively elicits the formation of antibodies of protective isotypes and of cell-mediated immunity

Adjuvants are required to elicit protective immune responses with bacterial toxoids, inactivated viruses and subunit antigens produced by recombinant DNA technology. Some adjuvants, such as muramyl dipeptide (MDP) analog formulations, preferentially induce the formation of antibodies of isotypes that interact with complement and antibody-dependent effector cells, and do not elicit reaginic antibodies. Aluminum salts and mineral oil emulsions increase antibody formation but not cell-mediated immunity (CMI), whereas MDP formulations also elicit CMI. Adjuvants such as MDP and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulate the production by accessory cells of IL-1 that increases the circulation of lymphocytes through draining lymph nodes and act as a growth factor for lymphocytes. Vehicles such as mineral oil emulsions, liposomes and Pluronic polymer formulations provide large surface areas on which antigens can be retained in a two-dimensional matrix, from which they can readily be transferred to antigen-presenting cells. The development of an adjuvant formulation able to elicit the formation of protective antibodies and CMI without unacceptable side effects is described.