title: Dexamethasone nano-aggregates composed of PEG-PLA-PEG triblock copolymers for anti-proliferation of smooth muscle cells.
abstract: Dexamethasone nano-aggregate was prepared for the treatment of intimal hyperplasia caused by abnormal proliferation of smooth muscle cells. Triblock copolymers composed of poly(ethylene glycol) [PEG] and poly(D,L-lactic acid) [PLA] were synthesized with different chain lengths of PEG. Triblock copolymers in organic phase were mixed with dexamethasone and dexamethasone nano-aggregates was prepared by dispersing the organic phase into water. The average diameter of the nano-aggregates ranged from 200 to 300 nm. Dexamethasone was released out from the nano-aggregates and the release profile was dependent on PEG chain lengths. The dexamethasone nano-aggregates showed superior anti-proliferation effects on smooth muscle cells compared to dexamethasone. Flow cytometry showed that smooth muscle cells treated with dexamethasone nano-aggregates was arrested at a dormant phase in a dose-dependent manner. The dexamethasone nano-aggregates are expected to be a potent candidate for anti-proliferating smooth muscle tissues after a balloon-catheter treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 305-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Tae Gwan
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hyuk Sang
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Yoo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002404:Catheterization; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D053758:Nanoparticles; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods; D013936:Thymidine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; C499774:polyethylene glycol-polylactide-polyethylene glycol; D019344:Lactic Acid; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C033616:poly(lactide); D003907:Dexamethasone; D013936:Thymidine