Colonna C, Dorati R, Conti B, Modena T, Biggiogera M, Spedito A, Genta I. Induction of an in vitro reversible hypometabolism through chitosan-based nanoparticles.
J Microencapsul 2011;
28:229-39. [PMID:
21545314 DOI:
10.3109/02652048.2011.557746]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Chitosan-based nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared to promote intracellular sustained delivery of the synthetic delta opioid D-Ala(2)-D-Leu(5)-enkephalin (DADLE), prolonging peptide activity and inducing a safe and reversible hypometabolic state.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
NPs were prepared by combining ionotropic gelation and ultrasonication treatment. NP uptake studies and the effects of encapsulated DADLE on HeLa cells proliferation were tested by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis, by immuno-fluorescence and immuno-cytochemistry.
RESULTS
DADLE-loaded NPs are produced with suitable characteristics, a satisfactory process yield (55.4% ± 2.4%) and encapsulation efficiency (64.6% ± 2.1%). NPs are effective in inducing a hypometabolic stasis at a 10(-4) M DADLE concentration. Moreover, as seen from the immunofluorescence study, the effect persists through the recovery period (72 h). Indeed, NPs labelled by anti-enkephalin antibody inside cell nucleus reassert that the in vivo release of the peptide can be prolonged with respect to the case of free peptide supply.
CONCLUSION
The nanoparticulate drug delivery system described seems to be effective in inducing and prolonging a sort of hibernation-like state in the cells.
Collapse