title: Oral gene therapy for hypoparathyroidism: a rat model.
abstract: The use of nonionic polymeric micelles orally to protect and deliver plasmid DNA in vivo was investigated. Parathyroid hormone (PTH)(1-34) gene (179 bp) was inserted into a human cytomegalovirus promoter (PCMV) and E. coli competent cells were used to amplify the cDNA. Polymeric micelle formations (100 microl) formed from PCMV-PTH(1-34) cDNA (7.2 microg/microl) and 6% (w/v) polyethylene oxide-polypropylene oxide-polyethylene oxide (PEO-PPO-PEO) was administered at 8-hr intervals for 48 hr and then at 8-hr intervals for 24 hr weekly for 3 weeks. Parathyroidectomized rats receiving 150 microl of EDTA (10 mM) before each dose of formation served as the study group; rats receiving drinking water, EDTA (10 mM), PCMV-PTH(1-34) cDNA and PCMV-PTH(1-34) cDNA plus EDTA at the same amount and time intervals served as the control groups. Serum levels of calcium and PTH(1-34) were measured weekly for 4 weeks. Immunohistochemical stain for PTH(1-34), reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for PTH(1-34) mRNA and the relative density of PTH(1-34) mRNA were performed at 2 and 4 weeks after oral gene therapy in different organs. One third to three of five rats in the control groups died after parathyroidectomy. Serum levels of calcium and PTH(1-34) were higher in the study than in the control groups. In the study group, positive stain of PTH(1-34) and PTH(1-34) mRNA could be found in those organs. Relative densities of PTH(1-34) mRNA were higher in the study than in the drinking water group in different organs. Oral gene therapy can maintain calcium and PTH(1-34) levels in parathyroidectomized rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Niao-Sung Hsiang, Kaohsiung Hsien, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Fong-Fu
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.forename: Shun-Chen
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Shwu-Fen
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Jiahorng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liaw
authors.forename: Pei-Hua
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Hung
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000235:genetics; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D007011:Hypoparathyroidism / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008823:Micelles; D023421:Models, Animal; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016105:Parathyroidectomy; D010957:Plasmids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011409:Propylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D008823:Micelles; C116176:PEO-PPO-PEO; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D011409:Propylene Glycols; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D002118:Calcium