title: Tailoring of alginate-gelatin microspheres properties for oral Ciprofloxacin-controlled release against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ciprofloxacin (Cip) is a broad spectrum antibiotic frequently used in the treatment of infectious diseases caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Cip oral administration is commonly associated with poor drug biodisponibility, gastrointestinal tract irritation, and toxic undesirable side effects.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this work is to provide an oral biopolymeric system for controlled release of Cip.
  
  
  METHODS
  Alginate-gelatin blend microspheres were crosslinked in the presence of 1,2-propylene glycol, calcium, and glutaraldehyde. Studies of Cip encapsulation and release were performed. Matrix characteristics were studied simultaneously by optical microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) using synchrotron light, and by texturometric analysis. Microsphere surface topologies were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and epifluorescence microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Microspheres crosslinked with glutaraldehyde showed about 80% Cip encapsulation and less than 10% Cip release under simulated gastric conditions in 15 min, while a controlled release profile was observed at intestinal environment conditions. Antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa showed an increasing bacterial growth inhibition in time. Finally, bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as model protein for binding of macromolecules onto active surface of microspheres, with a consequently modulation of Cip release.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results are indicating that alginate/gelatin matrix crosslinked via Ca(2+) and glutaraldehyde can be tailored by decorating the microsphere surface with biological active molecules useful for targeting, making a potential tool to improve Cip oral administration for infection diseases.
authors.affiliation: Nanobiomaterials Laboratory, Institute of Applied Biotechnology (CINDEFI, UNLP-CONICET CCT La Plata) -- Department of Chemistry, School of Sciences, Universidad Nacional de La Plata , La Plata , Argentina.
authors.forename: German A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Islan
authors.forename: Guillermo Raul
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Castro
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry; D004339:Drug Compounding; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005780:Gelatin / Q000737:chemistry*; D007509:Irritants; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008863:Microspheres; D010316:Particle Size; D011485:Protein Binding; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D007509:Irritants; D002939:Ciprofloxacin; D005780:Gelatin
keywords: AFM; biopolymers; gelatin; lends; pectin