Phycocyanin/PEG--(PG--PEI) attenuated hepatic ischemia/reperfusion-induced pancreatic islet injury and enlarged islet functionality.

Background: Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion-induced pancreatic islet injury (HI/RIPII) was an important pathophysiological phenomenon in clinics. In the present study, we observed the effects of phycocyanin on HI/RIPII. However, the half-life of phycocyanin was extremely short and limited its use in vivo.

Materials And Methods: In order to overcome this shortcoming, poly(ethylene glycol)-(poly(l-glutamic acid)--polyethylenimine) (PEG--(PG--PEI)) was synthesized and estimated as a nanocarrier for lengthening delivery of phycocyanin through the abdominal subcutaneous injection in rats. Phycocyanin (isoelectric point=4.3) was encapsulated with PEG--(PG--PEI) via electrostatic interactions at pH 7.4.

Results: In vitro phycocyanin was fast and efficiently encapsulated and showing efficient loading and sustained release. In vivo the anti-HI/RIPII function of phycocyanin/PEG--(PG--PEI) complex was surveyed in rats using free phycocyanin as the controls, and the results showed that phycocyanin/PEG--(PG--PEI) complex reduced HI/RIPII property and enlarged islet functionality.

Conclusion: These results suggested that PEG--(PG--PEI) might be treated as a potential phycocyanin nanocarrier.