title: Preparation, characterization and in vivo evaluation of nanoemulsions for the controlled delivery of the antiobesity agent N-oleoylethanolamine.
abstract: >
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  N-oleoylethanolamine (OEA) is a lipid mediator that acts as a satiety factor. The main limiting factor for its administration is its poor water solubility. We designed and characterized new nanoemulsions as delivery system for hydrophobic compounds such as OEA.
  
  
  METHODS
  The nanoemulsion components and preparation methods were selected in order to achieve the desired final properties. Then, we evaluated the in vivo properties of the nanoemulsions as drug-delivery systems testing the anorectic effects of OEA in rats after both intragastric and intraperitoneal administration. The in vivo toxicity of the nanoemulsions was evaluated after a 3-week treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nanoemulsions proved to be stable, nontoxic and had no effect on feeding behavior when administered without OEA. The effects of OEA were observable after its oral and parenteral administration with the nanoemulsions to 24-h fasted rats, finding a better efficacy compared with a vehicle containing Tween(®) 20 (Sigma-Aldrich, MO, USA) after oral administration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results support the efficacy of these nanoemulsions to deliver highly hydrophobic bioactive drugs.
authors.affiliation: Biocolloid & Fluid Physics Group, Department of Applied Physics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, 18071, Spain.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wulff-Pérez
authors.forename: Francisco J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Pavón
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martín-Rodríguez
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de Vicente
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alen
authors.forename: Fernando Rodríguez
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: de Fonseca
authors.forename: María J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Gálvez-Ruiz
authors.forename: Antonia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Serrano
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000737:chemistry*; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D004655:Emulsions / Q000737:chemistry*; D063388:Endocannabinoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D009829:Oleic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004655:Emulsions; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D004983:Ethanolamines; D009829:Oleic Acids; C033595:N-oleoylethanolamine
keywords: OEA; drug delivery; food intake; nanoemulsion; parenteral emulsion; poloxamer P188