Characterization of Polymeric Microcapsules Containing a Low Molecular Weight Peptide for Controlled Release

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 213-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith Moore ◽  
Jennifer Amos ◽  
Jeffrey Davis ◽  
Robert Gourdie ◽  
Jay D. Potts

AbstractA need exists to prolong the release of rapidly metabolized peptides of a low molecular weight, while delivering this peptide without environmental interference. Previous studies have used bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model peptide to study release characteristics from alginate microcapsules. BSA is 66 kDa in size, while the peptide of interest here, connexin-43 carboxyl-terminus mimetic peptide (αCT1), is only 3.4 kDa. Such a change in size results in a much different set of release parameters. Our overall goal is a sustained release over a 24+ h period. Prolonged application of the peptide to a wound site to investigate therapeutic effects is ideal. As a result, a diffusion method using alginate microcapsules, along with the addition of poly-l-lysine and poly-l-ornithine, has been explored. We first aimed to establish and characterize our parameters through a set of parametric tests. Variations in polymer coating, change in pH, and changes in loading ratio have previously been shown to effect release using model compounds. Here we test specific changes in these parameters to show effects on the release of αCT1. Additionally, the microcapsules were attached to several biomaterials and surgical implants by ultraviolet cross-linking to study the effectiveness of attachment and delivery. Analysis and measurements using phase contrast microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy were used to characterize changes in microcapsule morphology.

2017 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 655-658
Author(s):  
Andrei Bejan ◽  
Dragos Peptanariu ◽  
Bogdan Chiricuta ◽  
Elena Bicu ◽  
Dalila Belei

Microfibers were obtained from organic low molecular weight compounds based on heteroaromatic and aromatic rings connected by aliphatic spacers. The obtaining of microfibers was proved by scanning electron microscopy. The deciphering of the mechanism of microfiber formation has been elucidated by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy measurements. By exciting with light of different wavelength, florescence microscopy revealed a specific optical response, recommending these materials for light sensing applications.


Soft Matter ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (33) ◽  
pp. 6883-6891 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Chai ◽  
Adam N. Raegen ◽  
Shipei Zhu ◽  
James A. Forrest

We observe and characterize the crystallization of atactic polystyrenes (PS) of nearly oligomeric Mw using atomic force microscopy.


Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 2446
Author(s):  
Adriana Nicoleta Frone ◽  
Cristian Andi Nicolae ◽  
Mihaela Carmen Eremia ◽  
Vlad Tofan ◽  
Marius Ghiurea ◽  
...  

The inherent brittleness of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) prevents its use as a substitute of petroleum-based polymers. Low molecular weight plasticizers, such as tributyl 2-acetyl citrate (TAC), cannot properly solve this issue. Herein, PHB films were obtained using a biosynthesized poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate) (PHO) and a commercially available TAC as toughening agents. The use of TAC strongly decreased the PHB thermal stability up to 200 °C due to the loss of low boiling point plasticizer, while minor weight loss was noticed at this temperature for the PHB-PHO blend. Both agents shifted the glass transition temperature of PHB to a lower temperature, the effect being more pronounced for TAC. The elongation at break of PHB increased by 700% after PHO addition and by only 185% in the case of TAC; this demonstrates an important toughening effect of the polymeric modifier. Migration of TAC to the upper surface of the films and no sign of migration in the case of PHO were highlighted by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) results. In vitro biocompatibility tests showed that all the PHB films are non-toxic towards L929 cells and have no proinflammatory immune response. The use of PHO as a toughening agent in PHB represents an attractive solution to its brittleness in the case of packaging and biomedical applications while conserving its biodegradability and biocompatibility.


2000 ◽  
Vol 629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan S. Schulze ◽  
Timothy P. Lodge ◽  
Christopher W. Macosko

ABSTRACTThe reaction of perdeuterated amino-terminal polystyrene (dPS-NH2) with anhydrideterminal poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA-anh) at a PS/PMMA interface has been observed with forward recoil spectrometry (FRES). Bilayer samples were constructed by placing thin films of PS containing ∼8.5 wt % dPS-NH2 on a PMMA-anh layer. Significant reaction was observed only after annealing the samples at 174°C for several hours, a time scale at least two orders of magnitude greater than the time required for the dPS-NH2 chains to diffuse through the bulk PS layer. The topography of the interfacial region as copolymer formed was measured using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Roughening of the PS/PMMA interface was observed to varying degrees in all annealed samples. Furthermore, the extent of this roughening was found to depend on the PS matrix molecular weight. Reaction in the samples with a high molecular weight PS matrix resulted in a root mean square roughness approximately equal to the radius of gyration Rg of the copolymer. However, approximately twice as much roughening was observed in the low molecular weight PS matrix. This study reveals how the molecular weight of one of the phases can affect the rate of reaction at a polymer/polymer interface.


2010 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 624
Author(s):  
Michael J. Serpe ◽  
Jason R. Whitehead ◽  
Stephen L. Craig

Single molecule atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies of oligonucleotide-based supramolecular polymers on surfaces are used to examine the molecular weight distribution of the polymers formed between a functionalized surface and an AFM tip as a function of monomer concentration. For the concentrations examined here, excellent agreement with a multi-stage open association model of polymerization is obtained, without the need to invoke additional contributions from secondary steric interactions at the surface.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ram Prasad ◽  
Vyshnava Satyanarayana Swamy

The unique property of the silver nanoparticles having the antimicrobial activity drags the major attention towards the present nanotechnology. The environmentally nontoxic, ecofriendly, and cost-effective method that has been developed for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using plant extracts creates the major research interest in the field of nanobiotechnology. The synthesized silver nanoparticles have been characterized by the UV-visible spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Further, the antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles was evaluated by well diffusion method, and it was found that the biogenic silver nanoparticles have antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Azotobacter chroococcum WR 9, and Bacillus licheniformis (MTCC 9555).


2011 ◽  
Vol 105 (06) ◽  
pp. 1060-1071 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin Woo Park ◽  
Ok Cheol Jeon ◽  
Sang Kyoon Kim ◽  
Taslim Al-Hilal ◽  
Kyung-Min Lim ◽  
...  

SummaryThis study was designed to develop a solid oral dosage form of deoxycholic acid (DOCA)-conjugated low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) and to evaluate its oral absorption, distribution, and metabolic stability for the prospect of providing an orally bioavailable LMWH. The LMWH derivative (LHD) was synthesised and then formulated with solubilisers and other pharmaceutical excipients to form a solid tablet. Its absorption and distribution after oral administration were evaluated in mice, rats, and monkeys. The in vitro metabolic stability of LHD was examined by liver microsome assays. More than 80% of LHD was released from the tablet within 60 minutes, guaranteeing rapid tablet disintegration after oral administration. Oral bioavailability of LHD in mice, rats and monkeys were 16.1 ± 3.0, 15.6 ± 6.1, and 15.8 ± 2.5%, respectively. After the oral administration of 131I-tyramine-LHD, most of the absorbed drug remained in the blood circulation and was eliminated mainly through the kidneys. LHD was hardly metabolised by the liver microsomes and showed a stable metabolic pattern similar to that of LMWH. In a rat thrombosis model, 10 mg/kg of orally administered LHD reduced thrombus formation by 60.8%, which was comparable to the antithrombotic effect of the subcutaneously injected LMWH (100 IU/ kg). Solid tablets of LHD exhibited high oral absorption and statistically significant therapeutic effects in preventing venous thromboembolism. Accordingly, LHD tablets are expected to satisfy the unmet medical need for an oral heparin-based anticoagulant as an alternative to injectable heparin and oral warfarin.


2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 136-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Homa Maleki ◽  
Hossein Barani

AbstractThe stereocomplex formation is a promising method to improve the properties of poly(lactide) (PLA)-based products due to the strong interaction of the side-by-side arrangement of the molecular chains. Recently, electrospinning method has been applied to prepare PLA stereocomplex, which is more convenient. The objective of the current study is to make stereocomplexed PLA nanofibers using electrospinning method and compare their properties and structures with pure poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) fibers. The stereocomplexed fibers were electrospun from a blend solution of high molecular weight PLLA and poly(d-lactide) (1:1 ratio). The morphology of the obtained electrospun fibers was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Differential scanning calorimetry was applied to study their thermal properties and crystallinity. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) test was conducted on the samples to characterize their chemical properties. The SEM and AFM images indicated that smooth uniform fibers with a cylindrical structure were produced. Besides, the FTIR results and thermal properties confirmed that only stereocomplex crystallites formed in the resulting fibers via the electrospinning method.


2002 ◽  
Vol 725 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobat P. I. Saragi ◽  
Robert Pudzich ◽  
Thomas Fuhrmann ◽  
Josef Salbeck

AbstractWe have investigated the field-effect mobility of three kinds of low molecular weight spirolinked compounds, namely 2,2',7,7'-tetrakis (diphenylamino)-9,9'-spirobifluorene (spiro-TAD), 2,2',7,7'-tetrakis(biphenyl-4-yl)-9,9'-spirobifluorene (spiro-6φ) and 2,7-bis-(N,N-diphenylamino)- 2',7'-bis-(biphenyl-4-yl)-9,9'-spirobifluorene (spiro-X2). The field-effect mobilities of these materials in the saturation region are 8 x 10-4 cm2V-1s-1, 5 x 10-5 cm2V-1s-1 and 4 x 10-4 cm2V-1s-1 respectively. The atomic force microscopy images show that films prepared from these materials are amorphous with a very smooth surface and the limited field-effect mobility is due to the intrinsic behaviour of amorphous materials.


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