Preparation of Novel Poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate-coglycidyl methacrylate)-Grafted Core-Shell Magnetic Chitosan Microspheres and Immobilization of Lactase

Poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-glycidyl methacrylate)-grafted magnetic chitosan microspheres (HG-MCM) were prepared using reversed-phase suspension polymerization method. The HG-MCM presented a core-shell structure and regular spherical shape with poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-glycidyl methacrylate) grafted onto the chitosan layer coating the Fe₃O₄ cores. The average diameter of the magnetic microspheres was 10.67 μm, within a narrow size distribution of 6.6–17.4 μm. The saturation magnetization and retentivity of the magnetic microspheres were 7.0033 emu/g and 0.6273 emu/g, respectively. The application of HG-MCM in immobilization of lactase showed that the immobilized enzyme presented higher storage, pH and thermal stability compared to the free enzyme. This indicates that HG-MCM have potential applications in bio-macromolecule immobilization.     

Chitosan and chitosan/β‐cyclodextrin microspheres as sustained‐release drug carriers

The main aim of this study was to compare two microspheres, chitosan (CTS) and CTS/β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD), made by spray‐drying, as pulmonary sustained drug‐delivery carriers. Theophylline (TH) was used as a model drug. The characteristics of the microspheres and in vitro release were studied. The yield of CTS/β‐CD microspheres was 46.1%, which was higher than that of the CTS microspheres (36.5%). The drug loads of the CTS and CTS/β‐CD microspheres were 22.7 and 21.1%, respectively, whereas the encapsulation efficiencies were 90.7 and 91.4%, respectively. The distribution of 50% [(diameter) d (0.5)] of the CTS microspheres was below 6.49 μm and that of the CTS/β‐CD microspheres was below 4.90 μm. Scanning electron microscopy showed that both microspheres yielded a spherical shape with smooth or wrinkled surfaces. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrated that the carbonyl group of TH formed hydrogen bonds with the amide group of CTS and the hydroxyl group of β‐CD. The swelling ability of the two microspheres was more than three times their weight, and their humidity rates attained equilibrium within 24 h. The ciliary beat movement times of CTS and CTS/β‐CD microspheres were 493.00 and 512.33 min, respectively, which indicated that the two microspheres effectively reduced the ciliotoxicity and possessed better adaptability. In vitro release of TH from CTS/β‐CD microspheres was slower than that from CTS microspheres at pH 6.8 and provided a sustained release of 72.0% within 12 h. The results suggest that CTS/β‐CD microspheres are a promising carrier for sustained release for pulmonary delivery. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 1183–1190, 2007     

Drug Release Kinetics of Spray-Dried Chitosan Microspheres

The aim of this article was to investigate the drug release kinetics of spray-dried chitosan microspheres using various kinetic models. The mean particle size and encapsulation efficiency of cross-linked chitosan microspheres was between 3.8 and 4.2 μm and 96.3 and 98.7%, respectively. Spray-dried chitosan microspheres were spherical in shape with smooth surface. The surface morphology of spray-dried chitosan microspheres was affected by the crystallinity of the loaded drug and cross-linking agent. The release data of the spray-dried chitosan microspheres were treated with zero-order, first-order, Higuchi, Korsmeyer, and Kopcha kinetic models and best fit was observed with Higuchi model, indicating the release of drug from spray-dried chitosan microspheres followed Fick's law of diffusion.     

Noncovalently Modified Carbon Nanotubes with Carboxymethylated Chitosan: A Controllable Donor-Acceptor Nanohybrid

We report here the modification of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) with a kind of polysaccharide, carboxymethylated chitosan (cmCs), and their potential usage as donor-acceptor nanohybrids. The modified composites (cmCs/MWNTs) were characterized by high-resolution TEM, FT-IR, TGA and time-resolved spectroscopy. The time-resolved spectroscopic experiments revealed that interfacial electron transfer readily takes place between MWNTs and surface immobilized cmCs chains. The forward electron transfer is fast (< 20 ns) while the backward recombination is slow. The recombination process strongly depends on the chain length of carboxylmethylated chitosan, i.e. a shorter recombination lifetime (~1.1 μs) for the shorter-chain cmCs coated MWNTs against that of the longer-chain cmCs coated MWNTs (~3.5 μs). The results demonstrated that the cmCs/MWNTs composite may be applied as a controllable donor-acceptor nanohybrid.     

2-羟丙基三甲基氯化铵壳聚糖的制备及其表征

以脱乙酰度为90%的壳聚糖(CTS)为原料,异丙醇为溶剂,w(NaOH)=40 0%的水溶液为催化剂,3 氯 2 羟丙基三甲基氯化铵(CTA)为改性剂,在m(NaOH)∶m(CTS)=1 0∶1 0,m(CTA)∶m(CTS)=4 0∶1 0,反应温度65 0℃下制备了2 羟丙基三甲基氯化铵壳聚糖(HTCC)。实验结果表明,在反应时间达到或超过9 0h时,得到的HTCC产品的接枝度超过90 0%,在pH=6 7～7 0的水中可完全溶解形成w(HTCC)=3 0%的溶液。IR和1HNMR的结果表明,接枝反应主要发生在CTS的氨基上。     

Preparation and Characterization of Carboxymethyl Chitosan and β-Cyclodextrin Microspheres by Spray Drying

Three kinds of carboxymethyl chitosan/β-cyclodextrin microspheres loaded with theophylline were prepared by spray drying intended for pulmonary delivery. Mucociliotoxicity, permeation rate, and drug release characteristics of the product were investigated. The microspheres obtained by spray drying were found to be spherical with smooth or wrinkled surfaces. The mean particle size was between 3.39 and 6.06 µm. The microspheres demonstrated high product yield (43.7-50.2%), high drug loading (13.7-38.1%), and high encapsulation efficiency (86.9-92.8%). FT-IR indicated that there were interactions of theophylline with carboxymethyl chitosan matrix. Further studies on mucociliotoxicity and permeation confirmed that microspheres had better adaptability and high permeation rate. In vitro drug release from the microspheres was not related to the drug/polymer ratios.     

Preparation,characterization, and antioxidative activity of Bletilla striata polysaccharide/chitosan microspheres for oligomeric proanthocyanidins

Novel oligomeric proanthocyanidins/Bletilla striata polysaccharide/chitosan (OPC/BSP/CTS) microspheres were obtained by spray-drying method. The morphology, size, physicochemical characterization, and in vitro release behavior of the formulation were evaluated. The results of scanning electron microscopy showed OPC-loaded microspheres with considerably wrinkled surfaces and drug-free microspheres with smooth surfaces. Particle-size analysis showed that the diameters of the OPC/BSP/CTS microspheres were 1–5?µm, with uniform distribution (polydispersity below 0.465). Fourier transform infrared indicated the occurrence of a chemical reaction between BSP and CTS. The OPC formed intermolecular hydrogen bonds with BSP/CTS carriers or transmuted amorphous structure. Differential scanning calorimetry displayed the absence of interaction; OPC was only physically encapsulated in the polymer matrix and OPC changed the crystallinity. All the microspheres showed desirable biodegradation rates; the high CTS content retarded their degradation and extended administration times. OPC/BSP/CTS microspheres showed pronounced antioxidant activity than pure OPC. These microspheres can be used as a potential platform to efficiently deliver unstable drugs as a sustained-release oral drug delivery system.     

不同修饰剂对β-环糊精微球吸附性能的影响

以β-环糊精为原料,通过传统的反相乳液聚合法合成β-环糊精微球,选择壳聚糖和四甲基氢氧化铵分别对其进行修饰,考察溶液的搅拌时间、吸附体系的温度、pH等条件对β-环糊精微球及其衍生物吸附甲基橙的影响。结果显示,β-环糊精微球对甲基橙吸附效果较好,修饰改性后,吸附效果增强,四甲基氢氧化铵修饰的β-环糊精微球吸附效果优于壳聚糖修饰后β-环糊精微球。     

Magnetic chitosan microspheres: preparation and characterization

In this study, magnetic chitosan microspheres were prepared in a well shaped spherical form with a size range of 100 to 250 μm (size distribution ±15 to ±40 μm, respectively) by the suspension cross-linking technique for use in the application of magnetic carrier technology. The magnetic material (i.e. Fe₃O₄) used in the preparation of the magnetic chitosan microspheres was prepared by precipitation from FeSO₄ and Fe₂(SO₄)₃ solutions in basic medium and then ground to the desired size (i.e. 1–5 μm). The morphological and magnetic properties of the microspheres were characterized by different techniques (i.e. SEM, optical microscopy, magnetometry). The results demonstrated that the stirring rate of the suspension medium and the Fe₃O₄/chitosan ratio are the most effective parameters for the size/size distribution and the magnetic quality of the microspheres, while the chitosan molecular weight (MW) has no significant effect on these properties for the given MW range (i.e. 150 to 650 kDa). The best magnetic quality of the magnetic chitosan microspheres is around 9.1 emu/g microsphere at 10 kG magnetic field intensity.     

Chitosan microspheres and sponges: Preparation and characterization

In this study, chitosan microspheres and sponges were prepared and characterized for diverse biomedical applications successfully. The chitosan microspheres were obtained with a “suspension crosslinking technique” in the size range of 30–700 μm. The stirring rate of the suspension medium and the chitosan/acetic acid ratio, emulsifier, and crosslinker, that is, the glutaraldehyde concentration in the suspension medium, were evaluated as the effective parameters on the size/size distributions of the microspheres. The microsphere size/size distributions were increased with the decreasing of all effective parameters except the chitosan/acetic acid ratio. In the second part of the study, chitosan sponges were prepared with a solvent‐evaporation technique and sponges were cross‐linked either during the formation or after the formation of sponges by using a cross‐linker, that is, glutaraldehyde. When the sponges were crosslinked during the formation, fibrillar structures were obtained, while the leaflet structures were obtained in the case of crosslinking after the formation of sponges. In the last part of the study, the swelling behavior of both the chitosan microspheres and sponges were evaluated using different amounts of the crosslinker. The swelling ratio was increased in both types of structures, that is, microspheres and sponges, by decreasing the amount of the crosslinker. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 76: 1637–1643, 2000     

壳聚糖季铵化衍生物结构表征及特性研究

采用壳聚糖(CTS)与2,3-环氧丙基三甲基氯化铵(GTA)制备了不同取代度的水溶性壳聚糖季铵盐(HACC),通过红外、扫描电镜对壳聚糖、壳聚糖季铵盐结构进行表征,同时测试了壳聚糖季铵盐的水溶性、表面张力.结果表明:取代主要发生在壳聚糖的氨基上,改性后产物外观与粒度有很大变化;壳聚糖季铵化改性产物具有比壳聚糖更优良的水溶性、表面活性,且随着取代度的增加而提高.     

降解壳聚糖与水杨醛改性衍生物对Ca~(2+)、Fe~(3+)的螯合性质

过氧化氢对壳聚糖氧化降解反应适宜条件为:温度70～80℃;pH=4～7;w(H2O2)=5%。对降解产物(CTS′)与水杨醛进行化学改性得相应衍生物S CTS′(H)、S CTS′(Na)和还原产物RS CTS′(H)、RS CTS′(Na)。在pH=10～11的水溶液中对Ca2+的螯合(吸附)能力为RS CTS′(Na)∽S CTS′(Na)>RS CTS′(H)∽S CTS′(H)。同时给出S CTS′(H)在c(HCl)=0 10mol/L的介质中对Fe3+螯合的UV吸收光谱。     

Dietary Berries and Ellagic Acid Prevent Oxidative DNA Damage and Modulate Expression of DNA Repair Genes

DNA damage is a pre-requisite for the initiation of cancer and agents that reduce this damage are useful in cancer prevention. In this study, we evaluated the ability of whole berries and berry phytochemical, ellagic acid to reduce endogenous oxidative DNA damage. Ellagic acid was selected based on >95% inhibition of 8-oxodeoxyguosine (8-oxodG) and other unidentified oxidative DNA adducts induced by 4-hydroxy-17ß-estradiol and CuCl₂ in vitro. Inhibition of the latter occurred at lower concentrations (10 μM) than that for 8-oxodG (100 μM). In the in vivo study, female CD-1 mice (n=6) were fed either a control diet or diet supplemented with ellagic acid (400 ppm) and dehydrated berries (5% w/w) with varying ellagic acid contents – blueberry (low), strawberry (medium) and red raspberry (high), for 3 weeks. Blueberry and strawberry diets showed moderate reductions in endogenous DNA adducts (25%). However, both red raspberry and ellagic acid diets showed a significant reduction of 59% (p < 0.001) and 48% (p < 0.01), respectively. Both diets also resulted in a 3–8 fold over-expression of genes involved in DNA repair such as xeroderma pigmentosum group A complementing protein (XPA), DNA excision repair protein (ERCC5) and DNA ligase III (DNL3). These results suggest that red raspberry and ellagic acid reduce endogenous oxidative DNA damage by mechanisms which may involve increase in DNA repair.     

Preparation and Characterization of Carboxymethyl Chitosan and β-Cyclodextrin Microspheres by Spray Drying

Three kinds of carboxymethyl chitosan/β-cyclodextrin microspheres loaded with theophylline were prepared by spray drying intended for pulmonary delivery. Mucociliotoxicity, permeation rate, and drug release characteristics of the product were investigated. The microspheres obtained by spray drying were found to be spherical with smooth or wrinkled surfaces. The mean particle size was between 3.39 and 6.06 µm. The microspheres demonstrated high product yield (43.7–50.2%), high drug loading (13.7–38.1%), and high encapsulation efficiency (86.9–92.8%). FT-IR indicated that there were interactions of theophylline with carboxymethyl chitosan matrix. Further studies on mucociliotoxicity and permeation confirmed that microspheres had better adaptability and high permeation rate. In vitro drug release from the microspheres was not related to the drug/polymer ratios.     

T型微通道装置制备尺寸均一壳聚糖微球

采用T型微通道装置制备尺寸均一的壳聚糖微球. 研究了乳化剂用量、油水两相流速比和流速等条件对乳液粒径的影响,尝试制备了不同分子量的壳聚糖乳液,并确定了交联固化方式. T型微通道装置的油相通道直径350 mm,水相通道直径65 mm,两通道接口处直径16 mm. 以1.5%(w)的壳聚糖醋酸水溶液为水相,以液体石蜡/石油醚(7/5, j)的混合物作为油相,水相流速20 mL/min,油水两相流速比为15:1,4%(w)的PO-500作为油相乳化剂,制备得到的壳聚糖乳液粒径分布系数<10%. 以戊二醛的甲苯溶液作为交联剂,当戊二醛所含醛基与壳聚糖所含氨基的摩尔比为1:1时,交联时间选择2 h.     

磁性壳聚糖微球的制备及其对2，4-二氯苯酚的吸附

采用反相悬浮聚合法合成了磁性壳聚糖微球,平均粒径不超过5μm。将其用于2,4-二氯苯酚的吸附研究。考察了吸附时间、吸附温度、DCP浓度以及磁性壳聚糖用量等因素对氯酚吸附的影响。结果表明,温度对吸附影响不大,最佳吸附时间为2h时,吸附剂磁性壳聚糖微球用量为1g。对DCP的吸附率在80％以上。在最佳条件下的吸附容量为1．70mg／g。     

壳聚糖对铬离子的吸附性能研究

采用壳聚糖(CTS)对K_2Cr_2O_7中的Cr~(6+)离子进行吸附,探讨了pH值、铬离子浓度和吸附时间对吸附性能的影响,得出了CTS对Cr~(6+)离子吸附适宜的工艺条件。     

Changes in Metallothionein Level in Rat Hepatic Tissue after Administration of Natural Mouldy Wheat

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by microfungi that are capable of causing disease and death in humans and other animals. This work was aimed at investigation of influence of mouldy wheat contaminated by pathogenic fungi producing mycotoxins on metallothionein levels in hepatic tissue of rats. The rats were administrating feed mixtures with different contents of vitamins or naturally mouldy wheat for 28 days. It was found that the wheat contained deoxynivalenol (80 ± 5 μg per kg of mouldy wheat), zearalenone (56 ± 3 μg/kg), T2-toxin (20 ± 2 μg/kg) and aflatoxins as a sum of B1, B2, G1 and G2 (3.9 ± 0.2 μg/kg). Rats were fed diets containing 0, 33, 66 and 100% naturally moulded wheat. Control group 0, 33, 66 and 100% contained vitamins according to Nutrient Requirements of Rats (NRC). Other four groups (control group with vitamins, vit33, vit66 and vit100%) were fed on the same levels of mouldy wheat, also vitamins at levels 100% higher than the previous mixtures. We determined weight, feed conversion and performed dissection to observe pathological processes. Changes between control group and experimental groups exposed to influence of mouldy wheat and experimental groups supplemented by higher concentration of vitamins and mouldy wheat were not observed. Livers were sampled and did not demonstrate significant changes in morphology compared to control either. In the following experiments the levels of metallothionein as a marker of oxidative stress was determined. We observed a quite surprising trend in metallothionein levels in animals supplemented with increased concentration of vitamins. Its level enhanced with increasing content of mouldy wheat. It was possible to determine a statistically significant decline (p<0.05) between control group and groups of animals fed with 33, 66 and 100% mouldy wheat. It is likely that some mycotoxins presented in mouldy wheat are able to block the mechanism of metallothionein synthesis.     

氨基硫脲壳聚糖与碘的配合物抑菌性质研究

壳聚糖(CTS)与硫氰酸铵在乙醇中反应制得氨基硫脲壳聚糖(ATU-CTS)。制备ATU-CTS和碘的配合物(ATU-CTS-I2),用红外光谱和热重分析对CTS、ATU-CTS和ATU-CTS-I2进行表征。讨论了ATU-CTS与碘配合物的抑菌性质,结果表明ATU-CTS-I2对大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌抑菌敏感度为高度敏感。