title: Doxorubicin-loaded MePEG-PCL nanoparticles for prevention of posterior capsular opacification.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cytotoxic drugs are considered as potent candidates for the prevention of posterior capsular opacification (PCO), but the toxicity incited to healthy intraocular structures is a major concern. In this study, the authors evaluated the effect of PEG methyl ether-block-poly(ε-caprolactone) (MePEG-PCL) doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) for prevention of PCO and their influence on intraocular tissues.
  
  
  METHODS
  MePEG-PCL DOX NPs were prepared and characterized. The cytotoxic effect of DOX NPs on lens epithelial cells was compared with free drug. Its effect on PCO prevention following single subconjunctival delivery to lensectomized rabbits was assessed. Toxicity to intraocular structures was evaluated by specular microscopy, electroretinography and histopathology. The availability of DOX in aqueous humor was determined by HPLC.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cytotoxic effect of DOX NPs was higher compared with free DOX due to prolonged retention within the cells. A significant reduction in degree of PCO was observed in DOX NP-treated eyes compared with untreated controls. There was no significant change in the density and morphology of corneal endothelial cells or the histology of intraocular structures. Electroretinographs of treated eyes did not change compared with the pretreatment values. DOX could be detected by HPLC in the aqueous humor up to 48 h following single subconjunctival injection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors conclude that DOX-loaded MePEG-PCL NPs show promise as a new approach to selectively kill highly proliferative lens epithelial cells in vivo following cataract surgery, while sparing normal tissue.
authors: CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata-700032, India.
authors: Rajdeep
authors: R
authors: Guha
authors: Sushovan
authors: S
authors: Chowdhury
authors: Himangshu
authors: H
authors: Palui
authors: Akhilesh
authors: A
authors: Mishra
authors: Samar
authors: S
authors: Basak
authors: Tapan Kumar
authors: TK
authors: Mandal
authors: Sarbani
authors: S
authors: Hazra
authors: Aditya
authors: A
authors: Konar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D002386:Cataract / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011091:Polyesters / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D057851:Posterior Capsular Rupture, Ocular / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D011091:Polyesters; C439611:methoxy poly(ethylene glycol-co-epsilon-caprolactone); D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D004317:Doxorubicin