Evaluation of the effects of chitin nanofibrils on skin function using skin models.

Chitins are highly crystalline structures that are predominantly found in crustacean shells. Alpha-chitin is composed of microfibers, which are made up of nanofibrils that are 2-5 nm in diameter and 30 nm in length and embedded in a protein matrix. Crystalline nanofibrils can also be prepared by acid treatment.

Metabolomic analyses of blood plasma after oral administration of D-glucosamine hydrochloride to dogs.

D-Glucosamine hydrochloride (GlcN∙HCl) is an endogenous amino monosaccharide synthesized from glucose that is useful in the treatment of joint diseases in both humans and animals. The aim of this study was to examine amino acid metabolism in dogs after oral administration of GlcN∙HCl. Accelerated fumarate respiration and elevated plasma levels of lactic acid and alanine were observed after administration.

Effects of oral glucosamine hydrochloride administration on plasma free amino acid concentrations in dogs.

We examined the effects of oral glucosamine hydrochloride (GlcN), N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) and d-glucose (Glc) administration on plasma total free amino acid (PFAA) concentrations in dogs. The PFAA concentrations increased in the control group and the GlcNAc group at one hour after feeding, and each amino acid concentration increased. On the other hand, in the GlcN group and the Glc group PFAA concentrations decreased at one hour after feeding.

[A novel formulation of cisplatin (CDDP)].

The study aimed to assess our newly devised CDDP delivery system designed to provide targeting potential and a sustained release of the anticancer agent. Seventy percent deacetylated chitin was applied as a drug carrier. We prepared two different types of systems with two different procedures: namely, system A with direct method and system B with indirect method.

[Chitin/cisplatin--an adhesive anticancer drug].

The authors devised an adhesive anticancer drug delivery system using 70% deacetyalated chitin (DAC-70) and cisplatin (CDDP). We prepared two different types of the drug carriers; namely, DAC-70 viscous solution and DAC-70 lyophilized granules, which easily provided viscous solution when mixed with a liquid. We then formed a novel CDDP-loaded system by mixing each vehicle with CDDP solution.

[A novel anticancer drug delivery system -DAC-70/CDDP].

We devised a muco-adhesive anticancer drug delivery system using 70% deacetylated chitin (DAC-70) and cisplatin (CDDP) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). The adhesive force between the system and human colonic mucosa was measured ex vivo, and a release profile of each drug was examined in vitro. Each system demonstrated a stronger muco-adhesive force at 37 degrees C than that of 25 degrees C.

[A novel approach to loco-regional cancer chemotherapy with a chitosan-CDDP solution].

The authors applied 70% deacetylated chitin (DAC 70, chitosan) as a vehicle of cis-platinum (CDDP) to achieve loco-regional cancer chemotherapy, in an attempt to hold the drug in the target region with a locally sustained release. The DAC-70 powder was dissolved in a 0.1 M HCI solution into where CDDP solution and glycerol phosphate solution were added.