title: Thermal treatment of galactose-branched polyelectrolyte microcapsules to improve drug delivery with reserved targetability.
abstract: A novel multilayered drug delivery system by LbL assembly of galactosylated polyelectrolyte, which is possible to have the potential in hepatic targeting by the presence of galactose residues at the microcapsule's surface, is designed. Thermal treatment was performed on the capsules and a dramatic thermal shrinkage up to 60% decrease of capsule diameter above 50 degrees C was observed. This thermal behavior was then used to manipulate drug loading capacity and release rate. Heating after drug loading could seal the capsule shell, enhancing the loading capacity and reducing the release rate significantly. Excellent affinity between galactose-binding lectin and heated galactose-containing microcapsules were observed, indicating a stable targeting potential even after high temperature elevating up to 90 degrees C.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Fu
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Li-Jun
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Zhi-Chun
authors.initials: ZC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xian-Fu
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000737:chemistry; D002214:Capsules / Q000737:chemistry*; D004339:Drug Compounding; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004573:Electrolytes; D005079:Excipients / Q000737:chemistry*; D005690:Galactose / Q000737:chemistry*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D037102:Lectins; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D010316:Particle Size; D011433:Propranolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D013696:Temperature; D013816:Thermodynamics
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D002214:Capsules; D004573:Electrolytes; D005079:Excipients; D037102:Lectins; D011433:Propranolol; D002119:Calcium Carbonate; D005690:Galactose