Jean-Philippe Devissaguet

Jejunal Absorption, Pharmacological Activity, and Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of Indomethacin-Loaded Poly(d,l-Lactide) and Poly(Isobutyl-Cyanoacrylate) Nanocapsules in Rats

The jejunal absorption of indomethacin nanocapsules was studied using an in vivo infusion technique. Jejunal absorption of indomethacin from the nanocapsules was slightly delayed as compared to a commercial indomethacin solution. The plasma and jejunal mucosa indomethacin concentrations were similar in both cases. However, the nanocapsules protected the rat jejunum from the ulcerating effect of indomethacin, probably by avoiding direct contact of the free drug with the surface of the mucosa. The pharmacokinetic profile of indomethacin nanocapsule formulations was compared to a solution of free drug following oral administration of 5 mg/kg in rats; no difference in the mean concentration–time profiles of the drug was observed. Blood levels of thromboxane showed a sustained biological activity, over a period of 24 hr, of indomethacin-loaded nanocapsules, relative to the drug in solution, following oral administration.

Efficacy and Pharmacokinetics of Intravenous Nanocapsule Formulations of Halofantrine in Plasmodium berghei-Infected Mice

ABSTRACT The efficacy and pharmacokinetics of a new parenteral formulation of halofantrine were studied in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. The formulation consisted of nanocapsules with an oily core, prepared from either poly(d,l-lactide) (PLA) homopolymer or PLA that was surface modified with grafted polyethylene glycol chains. They were compared with a previously described intravenous halofantrine preparation. No toxic effects were observed with halofantrine in form of nanocapsules after intravenous administration for doses of up to 100 mg/kg, whereas the solubilized form in polyethylene glycol-dimethylacetamide was toxic at this dose. The halofantrine-loaded nanocapsules showed activity that was similar to or better than that of the solution in the 4-day test and as a single dose in severely infected mice, with only minimal differences between the two nanocapsule formulations. Halofantrine pharmacokinetics were determined in parallel with parasite development in severely infected mice. Nanocapsules increased the area under the curve for halofantrine in plasma more than sixfold compared with the solution throughout the experimental period of 70 h. Furthermore, nanocapsules induced a significantly faster control of parasite development than the solution in the first 48 h posttreatment. While the parasitemia fell more rapidly with PLA nanocapsules, the effect was more sustained with the surface-modified ones. This is consistent with surface-modified nanocapsules remaining longer in the circulation. These results suggest that nanocapsule formulations could provide a more favorable halofantrine profile in the plasma and reduce the intravenous dose necessary and therefore the toxicity, thus suggesting the use of halofantrine by a parenteral route in severe malaria.

Modulation of nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 cells by transforming growth factor-beta and interleukin-10: differential effects on free and encapsulated immunomodulator.

The mouse macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 can be stimulated to produce nitric oxide (NO) by muramyltripeptide cholesterol included within biodegradable poly(D,L‐lactide) nanocapsules (NC MTP‐Chol). The aim of this work was to determine whether one or both of the cytokines transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β) and interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) could be responsible for feedback control seen at high concentrations. Activated RAW 264.7 cells produced TGF‐β1. When exogenous TGF‐β1 was added during stimulation, a dose‐dependent inhibition of NO production was observed when NC MTP‐Chol was used, whereas activation by the soluble muramyl dipeptide (MDP) was not affected. Furthermore, addition of a blocking antibody to TGF‐β arrested the fall in NO production seen at high concentrations of NC MTP‐Chol. Addition of IL‐10 during RAW 264.7 cell activation also reduced NO production; however, in this case, both NC MTP‐Chol and MDP were equally affected. The presence of anti‐IL‐10 antibody during activation significantly increased NO production. J. Leukoc. Biol. 62: 374–380; 1997.

Reduction of NO Synthase Expression and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Production in Macrophages by Amphotericin B Lipid Carriers

ABSTRACT The present study compared the abilities of different lipid carriers of amphotericin B (AMB) to activate murine peritoneal macrophages, as assessed by their capacities to produce nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Although AMB alone did not induce NO production, synergy was observed with gamma interferon but not with lipopolysaccharide. This synergy could not be explained by the mobilization of the nuclear activation factor NF-κB by AMB. On the other hand, AMB induced TNF-α production without a costimulator and no synergy was observed. Anti-TNF-α antibodies did not influence NO production, and an inhibitor of NO synthase did not affect TNF-α production, indicating that the production of one of these effector molecules was independent of that of the other. The incorporation of AMB into lipid carriers reduced NO and TNF-α production with all formulations but more so with liposomes than with lipid complexes. NO production was correlated with the induction of NO synthase II, revealed by Western blotting. The extent of association of AMB with macrophages depended on the formulation, especially on the AMB/lipids ratio: the higher the ratio was, the greater the AMB association with macrophages. However, there was no clear correlation between AMB association with macrophages, whether internalized or bound to the membrane, and immunostimulating effects. These results may explain the reduced toxicities of lipid-based formulations of AMB.

Biodegradable nanocapsules containing a lipophilic immunomodulator: drug retention and tolerance towards macrophages in vitro.

Nanocapsules (250 nm diameter) were prepared from poly (D, L-lactide) containing a lipophilic immunomodulator: MDP-L-alanyl cholesterol (MTP-Chol). High encapsulation rates were obtained at 37 degrees C in culture medium or in buffers imitating phagosomes and lysosomes. The tolerance of these particles by rat alveolar macrophages in vitro was tested. A slight toxicity was observed which was the result of two factors: the capacity of the immunomodulator to stimulate the generation of nitrite oxide by the L-arginine-dependent pathway and the polymer itself. The latter toxicity seemed to be mediated by a different mechanism.

Effect on Cerebral Blood Flow of Orally Administered Indomethacin‐loaded Poly(isobutylcyanoacrylate) and Poly(DL‐lactide) Nanocapsules

Abstract— Nanocapsules, containing indomethacin, were prepared either by interfacial polymerization of isobutylcyanoacrylate monomers or by interfacial deposition of a preformed (DL‐lactide) polymer. In‐vitro release of indomethacin from nanocapsules was dependent on the pH of the sink solution and was enhanced by addition of albumin. A decrease in cerebral blood flow was noted 15 min after oral administration to rats of indomethacin nanocapsules (5 mg kg−1) and lasted over 3 h. Empty nanocapsules had no effect. Since release of indomethacin from nanocapsules is unlikely to occur in the lumen of the stomach, due to unsuitable pH conditions, and nanocapsules have been previously shown to be able to cross the intestinal barrier, to reach the villi vessels intact and to protect against the ulcerating effect of the free drug, it is suggested that the rapid onset of the pharmacological effect was sufficiently induced by free indomethacin released in the plasma following absorption of the intact nanocapsules.

Relationship between no-synthase activity and TNF-α secretion in mouse macrophage lines stimulated by a muramyl peptide entrapped in nanocapsules

The present study evaluates the ability of a new drug carrier: nanocapsules of poly(D,L-lactide) containing muramyldipeptide-L-alanyl-cholesterol (MTP-Chol NC) to induce activation of mouse macrophage cell lines. MTP-Chol NC stimulated nitric oxide (NO) expression and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production, these are two important mediators of macrophage-mediated cytotoxicity. The encapsulated form was more effective than free muramyldipeptide, at low immunomodulator concentrations. The dose-response curves were completely different for NO and TNF-alpha, implying different regulatory mechanisms. In RAW 264.7 cells, the addition of anti-TNF-alpha antibodies during the activation period did not affect the level of nitrite induced by MTP-Chol Nc and lipopolysaccharide. Therefore, autocrine stimulation by TNF-alpha did not contribute to NO production. On the other hand, the presence of an NO synthase inhibitor led to an increase in TNF-alpha secretion. In J774.A1 cells, which were activated by MTP-Chol NC and interferon-gamma, TNF-alpha production seemed to act as a second messenger. Thus, under certain conditions, NO can play a role in modulating the cytotoxic activities of mouse macrophages.