title: Novel polymeric micelles based on the amphiphilic diblock copolymer poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone)-block-poly(D,L-lactide).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this work was to synthesize a new amphiphilic diblock copolymer of poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone and poly(D,L-lactide) (PVP-b-PDLLA) capable of self-assembling into polymeric micelles with multiple binding sites and high entrapment efficiency.
  
  
  METHODS
  The copolymer was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of D,L-lactide initiated by potassium PVP hydroxylate. It was characterized by gel permeation chromatography, 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. The ability of the copolymer to self-assemble was demonstrated by dynamic and static light scattering, spectrofluorimetry and 1H-NMR. The hydrophobic model drug indomethacin was incorporated into the polymeric micelles by a dialysis procedure. Results. A series of amphiphilic diblock copolymers based on PVP-b-PDLLA were successfully synthesized. The critical association concentrations in water were low, always below 15 mg/L. Micellar size was generally bimodal with a predominant population between 40 and 100 nm. PVP-b-PDLLA micelles were successfully loaded with the poorly water-soluble drug indomethacin and demonstrated an entrapment efficiency higher than that observed with control poly(ethylene glycol)-b-PDLLA micelles. It was hypothesized that specific interactions with the hydrophilic outer shell could contribute to the increase in drug loading.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PVP-b-PDLLA micelles appear to exhibit multiple binding sites and thus represent a promising strategy for the delivery of a variety of drugs.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Montreal, Qc, Canada.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Benahmed
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ranger
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Leroux
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000737:chemistry; D004337:Drug Carriers; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000737:chemistry; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008823:Micelles; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011205:Povidone / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D004337:Drug Carriers; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008823:Micelles; D011108:Polymers; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; D011205:Povidone; D007213:Indomethacin