title: pH-responsive hydrogel/liposome soft nanocomposites for tuning drug release.
abstract: A novel liposome/hydrogel soft nanocomposite was explored as a controlled drug delivery system. A P2VP-PAA-PnBMA biocompatible, pH-responsive triblock terpolymer was used as an injectable gelator, entrapping PC/Chol liposomes loaded with calcein as hydrophilic model drug. The composite hydrogel was formed in vitro through a pH-induced sol-gel transition by dialysis against buffer under physiological conditions and at polymer concentration as low as 1 wt %. Excellent control of the calcein release was achieved just by adjusting the gelator concentration; that is, from 1 to 1.5 wt %, the drug release period was significantly prolonged from 14 to 32 days.
authors: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Patras 26504, Patras, Greece.
authors: Maria-Teodora
authors: MT
authors: Popescu
authors: Spyridon
authors: S
authors: Mourtas
authors: Georgios
authors: G
authors: Pampalakis
authors: Sophia G
authors: SG
authors: Antimisiaris
authors: Constantinos
authors: C
authors: Tsitsilianis
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008081:Liposomes; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008956:Models, Chemical; D053761:Nanocomposites; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D020100:Hydrogels; D008081:Liposomes; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations