Researchers from Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai Cancer Institute discuss findings in drugs
2007 NOV 19 -- Research findings, 'Synthesis and characterization of MeO-PEG-PLGA-PEG-OMe copolymers as drug carriers and their degradation behavior in vitro,' are discussed in a new report. "The objective of this study was to characterize the methylpoly (ethylene glycol)-poly (lacticacid-co-glycolicacid)-poly (ethylene-glycol) (MeO-PEG-PLGA-PEG-OMe, abbreviation as PELGE) copolymers as intravenous injection drug delivery carriers and their degradation behavior in vitro. A series of MeO-PEG-PLGA-PEG-OMe copolymers with various molar ratios of lactic to glycolic acid and various molecular weights and different MeO-PEG contents were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization in the presence of MeO-PEG with molar masses of 2000 and 5000, using stannous octoate as the catalyst," scientists in Shanghai, People's Republic of China report. "The hydrophilicity of PELGE copolymers, evaluated by contact angle measurements, was found to increase with an increase in their MeO-PEG contents. Methylpoly (ethylene glycol)-poly (lacticacid-co-glycolicacid) (MeO-PEG-PLGA, abbreviation as PELGA) nanoparticles and PELGE nanoparticles were prepared using the emulsion-solvent evaporation technique (o/w) with Pluronic F68 (Poloxamer 188 NF) as emulsifier in the external aqueous phase. The degradation behavior of the nanoparticles was evaluated by the lactate generation with time upon their in vitro incubation in PBS (pH 7.4). The rate of in vitro degradation of the PELGE or PELGA nanoparticles depended on their composition, increasing with an increase in the proportion of MeO-PEG or LA in the copolymer chains. The degradation rate was slower at higher lactide: glycolide ratio," wrote Y. Duan and colleagues, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai Cancer Institute. The researchers concluded: "The lower the molecular weight of PELGE; the higher the degradation rate of the nanoparticles." Duan and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Materials Science (Synthesis and characterization of MeO-PEG-PLGA-PEG-OMe copolymers as drug carriers and their degradation behavior in vitro. Journal of Materials Science, 2007;18(10):2067-73). For more information, contact Y. Duan, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai 200032, China. Publisher contact information for the Journal of Materials Science is: Kluwer Academic Publ, Van Godewijckstraat 30, 3311 Gz Dordrecht, Netherlands. Keywords: People's Republic of China, Shanghai, Catalysts, Drug Delivery, Drug Development, Drugs, Micro-Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS), Nanopowder Catalysts, Nanotechnology, Polymers, Therapy, Treatment. This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com.
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