Ethiodized oil emulsions in hepatic microcirculation: in vivo microscopy in animal models.
OBJECTIVE
The authors' purpose was to define the stability and drug-carrying and drug-releasing capacity of ethiodized oil emulsions in the hepatic circulation.


METHODS
Emulsions prepared in various ratios of a nonionic contrast material containing doxorubicin to ethiodized oil were injected into the hepatic arteries of normal and tumor-bearing livers in rats or mice. In vivo microscopy was used to observe the dynamic distribution of the emulsions in the hepatic circulation.


RESULTS
A solution of less water mixed with more oil formed water-in-oil (w/o) phase emulsions, whereas oil with more water formed oil-in-water (o/w) emulsions. The oil in the emulsions carried the water in the blood circulation. The w/o emulsions exhibited significantly higher carriage capacity and longer release time for the drug solution than did the o/w emulsions (P < .01).


CONCLUSIONS
The delivery of w/o emulsions is superior to that of o/w emulsions. Further studies about preparation methods and delivery capability of emulsions in the liver are warranted.
Kan
Z
Z
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA.
Wright
K
K
Wallace
S
S
D000818:Animals; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004655:Emulsions; D004998:Ethiodized Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006499:Hepatic Artery; D007269:Injections, Intra-Arterial; D008102:Liver Circulation; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000556:secondary; D051379:Mice; D008853:Microscopy; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D004655:Emulsions; D004998:Ethiodized Oil; D004317:Doxorubicin