Sustained release from hot-melt extruded matrices based on ethylene vinyl acetate and polyethylene oxide.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the importance of matrix flexibility of hot-melt extruded (HME) ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) matrices (with vinyl acetate (VA) contents of 9%, 15%, 28% and 40%), through the addition of hydrophilic polymers with distinct swelling capacity. Polyethylene oxide (PEO 100K, 1M and 7M) was used as swelling agent and metoprolol tartrate (MPT) as model drug. The processability via HME and drug release profiles of EVA/MPT/PEO formulations were assessed.

Preparation and evaluation of sustained-release matrix tablets based on metoprolol and an acrylic carrier using injection moulding.

Sustained-release matrix tablets based on Eudragit RL and RS were manufactured by injection moulding. The influence of process temperature; matrix composition; drug load, plasticizer level; and salt form of metoprolol: tartrate (MPT), fumarate (MPF) and succinate (MPS) on ease of processing and drug release were evaluated. Formulations composed of 70/30% Eudragit RL/MPT showed the fastest drug release, substituting part of Eudragit RL by RS resulted in slower drug release, all following first-order release kinetics.

Antitumour efficacy of two paclitaxel formulations for hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in an in vivo rat model.

Purpose: To evaluate the tumour growth delay of a peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) of colorectal origin after intraperitoneal chemotherapy with paclitaxel/randomly-methylated-β-cyclodextrin (Pac/RAME-β-CD) versus Taxol® at normo- and hyperthermic conditions in rats.

Methods: Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) was performed 7 days post implantation of the tumour with both formulations at a Pac concentration of 0.24 mg/ml.

Sizing nanomatter in biological fluids by fluorescence single particle tracking.

Accurate sizing of nanoparticles in biological media is important for drug delivery and biomedical imaging applications since size directly influences the nanoparticle processing and nanotoxicity in vivo. Using fluorescence single particle tracking we have succeeded for the first time in following the aggregation of drug delivery nanoparticles in real time in undiluted whole blood. We demonstrate that, by using a suitable surface functionalization, nanoparticle aggregation in the blood circulation is prevented to a large extent.

In vivo toxicity and bioavailability of Taxol and a paclitaxel/beta-cyclodextrin formulation in a rat model during HIPEC.

Background: Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) remains a dreaded clinical syndrome and a common evolution of gastrointestinal and ovarian cancers. In recent years, hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) after cytoreductive surgery has emerged as a promising strategy in the management of PC. In this study, a novel paclitaxel (Pac) formulation was investigated for its toxicity and bioavailability during HIPEC compared with Taxol.

In vitro cytotoxicity of paclitaxel/beta-cyclodextrin complexes for HIPEC.

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a promising strategy in the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis. To perform HIPEC, a tensioactive- and solvent-free paclitaxel formulation consisting of water-soluble paclitaxel/randomly methylated-beta-cyclodextrin (Pac/RAMEB) complexes was developed previously. Using MTT and SRB assays the cytotoxic activity of this formulation versus Taxol, was evaluated as well as the cytotoxicity of the different formulation excipients (RAMEB and Cremophor EL.

Paclitaxel/beta-cyclodextrin complexes for hyperthermic peritoneal perfusion - formulation and stability.

Due to its low aqueous solubility paclitaxel is currently formulated in a Cremophor EL/ethanol mixture. However, the vehicle of this formulation causes several side-effects. Our objective was to formulate a tensioactive-free and solvent-free paclitaxel solution, which can be used for a hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion procedure (HIPEC).

Periparturient rise in fecal egg counts associated with prolactin concentration increase in French Alpine dairy goats.

Previous data on periparturient relaxation of immunity during gastrointestinal nematode infection in goats are scarce and conflicting; one study carried out in fiber (Angora) goats showed a positive association of fecal egg counts with prolactin concentrations around parturition, whereas the two other available studies dealing with dairy goats, gave divergent results. The objectives of the study were thus to assess the occurrence of a periparturient rise in fecal egg counts in dairy goats and to examine a possible relationship between the level of milk production and the intensity of the periparturient rise. A total of 28 French Alpine grazing dairy goats naturally infected with Teladorsagia, Trichostrongylus, and Oesophagostomum were allocated into two groups according to their reproductive status; group 1 (n = 7) consisted of nonpregnant lactating animals in the 3rd month of lactation, whereas group 2 (n = 21) was composed of dry goats at 6 weeks before term.