title: Ultra-stable zeolites--a tool for in-cell chemistry.
abstract: Ultrastable zeolite particles were used as vehicles to carry low molecular bio-active substances and macromolecules as proteins into viable cells. Zeolite particles that can be used for internalisation by phagocytosis were obtained from the non-sedimenting fraction of a commercially available zeolite preparation after 1 x g sedimentation. Protein adsorbed on the zeolite surface was shown to enter the endosomal pathway after phagocytosis and could be cleaved by the endosomal proteases. As a model of a low molecular weight bio-active molecule, the inhibitor of the cellular synthesis of nitrogen oxide, N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), was used. A partial inhibition of the cellular NO production was shown after utilizing zeolites as vehicles to introduce the inhibitor into the cells. A targeting of the intra-cellular enzymes that was at least 10 times more efficient was obtained by the use of zeolites as a carrier of the inhibitor, as opposed to addition of the inhibitor to the culture medium.
authors.affiliation: Technology and Society, Malmö University, S-20506 Malmö, Sweden.
authors.forename: Asa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dahm
authors.forename: Håkan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Eriksson
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages; D051379:Mice; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000502:physiology*; D013696:Temperature; D017641:Zeolites / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers; D017641:Zeolites; D010047:Ovalbumin; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester