Effect of microemulsion formulation on biodistribution of Tc-Aprotinin in acute pancreatitis models induced rats.

Background: Aprotinin is a monomeric globular polypeptide, which derived from bovine lung tissue and theoretically attractive molecule in ameliorating the effects of acute pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition of the pancreas that is painful and at times deadly. Over the following two decades Aprotinin therapeutic potential on pancreatitis is proven experimentally, its clinical therapeutic success is limited due to low targeting to pancreas.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the biodistribution of Technetium-99m (Tc)-Aprotinin solution (Tc-Aprotinin-S) and Tc-Aprotinin loaded microemulsion, which was prepared for the aim of treatment for acute pancreatitis.

Method: Aprotinin was radiolabeled with Tc. Radiochemical purity was determined with radioactive thin layer chromatography studies. Tc-Aprotinin-S and Tc-Aprotinin loaded microemulsion (Tc-Aprotinin-M) was administered to acute edematous, severe necrotizing pancreatitis and air pouch model induced rats. Tissue distribution of Aprotinin was investigated with gamma scintigraphy and biodistribution studies.

Results: Aprotinin was radiolabeled by Tc with high radiochemical purity (95.430 ± 0.946%). The complex was found to be stable at room temperature up to 6 h. Animal studies have shown that similar to that of other small proteins Aprotinin is accumulated primarily in the kidney. The scintigraphy and biodistribution studies showed that, while i.v. administration of Tc-Aprotinin-S distributed mostly in kidneys and bladder, Tc-Aprotinin-M, with droplet size of 64.550 ± 3.217 nm, has high uptake in liver, spleen and pancreas.

Conclusion: This might be concluding that microemulsions may be suggested as promising formulations for selectively targeting Aprotinin to pancreas inflammation.