Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Controlled release drug delivery systems'

Hydrogels are three dimensional networks of hydrophilic homopolymers or copolymers generally covalently or ionically crosslinked. They interact with aqueous media by swelling to some equilibrium value by retaining the aqueous media in their structures. This study concerns the investigation of the swelling and the controlled drug release behaviour of hydrogels synthesized via the photopolymerisation process. The study of hydrogels in this project was oriented towards their biomedical applications as controlled drug delivery devices. It is a known fact that the complete conversion of monomers to polymers may not be achieved in the polymerisation process thus there is always a certain component of unreacted toxic monomers still remained in the polymer matrix. These monomers have the tendency to leach out of the polymer matrices when the polymers are in contact with an aqueous medium thus rendering the hydrogel to be nonbiocompatable. The polymers synthesized in this work were washed thoroughly in milli-Q-water and then evaluated in vitro for any possible toxic effect on human keratinocyte (HaCaT)v cells using a 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diaphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) cell proliferation assay. The cytotoxicity results indicated that the hydrogels understudy sustained and allowed a positive growth of the HaCat cells in the duration of the cytotoxicity experiment, thus proving to be satisfactorily compatible.<br>Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Le développement de nouvelles formes galéniques nécessite la mise au point de protocoles avec variation d’un ensemble de paramètres jouant sur les caractéristiques du dispositif. Au niveau industriel, cela représente une perte importante de temps et d’argent. Avec le développement d’outils permettant la caractérisation des systèmes et à fortiori des mécanismes impliqués dans la libération du principe actif, l’application des modèles mathématiques se voit être de plus en plus grande permettant de prédire la sortie du principe actif hors de son système. L’un des objectifs de ce travail a été de développer un modèle mathématique mécanique réaliste permettant de quantifier la libération de vitamines à partir de matrice lipidique. Deux techniques différentes de formulation : la compression directe et une suite d’extrusion en phase chauffante/ broyage/ compression directe ont permis la préparation de comprimés à base de Compritol 888 (glyceryl dibehenate NF). L’acide nicotinique a été utilisé comme principe actif modèle hautement soluble dans le milieu environnant. Des études de dissolution ont montrée une libération plus accrue pour des comprimés ayant une charge initiale en vitamine plus importante, cela liée à une augmentation de la porosité de la matrice avec l’épuisement graduel de la vitamine. Concernant la technique de préparation, un taux de sortie beaucoup plus faible dans le cas des comprimés préparés par extrusion en phase chauffante préalable, est mesuré, dû à un emprisonnement de la vitamine par la matrice fondue. A partir de ces observations et des connaissances sur les matrices lipidiques, un modèle basé sur les lois de diffusion de Fick et sur la considération de la coexistence d’une partie du principe actif sous forme dissoute ou non dissoute a été élaboré. Ce modèle permet la prédiction de la quantité de vitamine libérée au cours du temps en fonction de l’impact de la composition, de la technique de préparation et de la taille du système. Ces simulations in-silico sont d’une grande aide pour permettre d’accélérer la production de comprimés à base de Compritol 888. Dans le cas de systèmes multiparticulaires, et encore plus dans le cas de formes enrobées, des modèles mathématiques peuvent également être établis mais montrent une complexité plus grande, notamment due à la membrane polymérique. Dans cette optique, le développement de nouveaux outils pour caractériser les systèmes est primordial. Dernièrement la technologie Terahertz voit son potentiel comme nouvel outil dans la caractérisation de systèmes enrobés croissant. Son emploi dans la détection de différence de taille et d’uniformité de films polymériques d’enrobage pour des systèmes multicouches a été réalisé sur des granules de tailles conventionnelles (1mm de diamètre). Un premier enrobage de metoprolol succinate a été réalisé sur des noyaux de sucre, suivi d’un enrobage permettant le contrôle de la fuite du principe actif à base d’un mélange de Kollicoat SR :Kollicoat IR. Des granules avec différentes tailles d’enrobage ont été étudiées par Terahertz. Une taille homogène de la couche de principe actif pulvérisée a été montré dans tous les types de pellets ; alors qu’une taille croissante de l’enrobage polymérique 46 µm, 71 µm et 114 µm a pu être appréhendée. Ces résultats, mis en corrélation avec les méthodes de dissolution traditionnelles, permettront le développement d’une formule prédisant les cinétiques de libération à partir de la lecture non destructive de l’épaisseur d’enrobage par Térahertz.[...]<br>Development of new galenic devices needs series experiments with variation of number parameters. For industrial, it’s a lost in time and money. Food and Drug Administration initiated since several years, Process Analytical Technology (PAT) as a tool to analyze and control pharmaceutical process. These tools can be helpful to determine drug release mechanism and allow application of mathematical model to predict drug release kinetics. One objective of this work is to develop a mechanistically realistic mathematical model allowing for the quantification of vitamin release from Compritol 888 (glyceryl dibehenate NF)-based matrix tablets, prepared either by direct compression or via hot-melt extrusion/grinding/compression. Nicotinic acid has been used as highly soluble drug in surrounding medium. Dissolution studies show vitamin release rates increased with increasing initial niacin content, due to the increased matrix porosity upon vitamin depletion. In all cases, niacin release from tablets prepared via hot-melt extrusion was slower than from tablets prepared by direct compression, due to more intense embedding of the vitamin within the lipid. Importantly, a numerical model based on Fick’s law of diffusion and considering the co-existence of dissolved and non-dissolved vitamin could successfully be used to quantify vitamin release from both types of tablets, irrespective of the initial niacin loading and tablet size. In-silico simulations can be very helpful to accelerate product optimization of Compritol 888-based matrices, saving development time and costs. For multiparticulates systems, and more again for coated forms, mathematical models are more complexes. In this goal, development of new tools to characterize devices is primordial. Technology Terahertz offers an interesting potential. This technique can be used to detect difference in size and uniformity for polymeric film from multilayer pellets of 1 mm diameter. Pellets consisting of a sugar starter core and a metoprolol succinate layer were coated with a Kollicoat® SR: Kollicoat® IR polymer blend. Pellets with several coating thickness are studied. No drug layer thickness difference between batches was observed, and the average coating thicknesses were 46 µm, 71 µm and 114 µm, for the different batches. Terahertz results compared with experimental data from dissolution methods, allow predicting coating thickness results correlated with the subsequent drug release behavior. Multiparticulates systems have important interest: they allow avoiding “dose dumping”. Dose dumping is described as an unintended, rapid drug release in a short period of time of the entire amount or a significant fraction of the drug contained in a modified release dosage form (Meyer, 2005). This phenomenon can be observed in the case of ethylcellulose-based devices in presence with ethanol rich-media. Recently, ethylcellulose:guar gum blend have been reported to provide ethanol-resistant drug release kinetics from coated dosage forms. Theophylline matrix pellets were coated with ethylcellulose: guar gum blends. These granules show no change in drug release profiles upon contact with medium containing 40% of ethanol (v/v). This is because the ethanol insoluble guar gum effectively avoids undesired ethylcellulose dissolution in ethanol-rich bulk fluids. However, so far the importance of crucial formulation parameters, including the minimum amount of guar gum to be incorporated and the minimum required guar gum viscosity, remains unclear. It was found that more than 5% guar gum (referred to the total polymer content) must be incorporated in the film coating and that the apparent viscosity of a 1% aqueous guar gum solution must be greater than 150 cPs to provide ethanol-resistance. [...]

The aim of this research was to formulate, characterise and assess the feasibility of a novel drug delivery system known as the in situ gelling matrix (ISGM) where a hydrophilic polymer is suspended in a non-aqueous solvent that converts into a gel when injected subcutaneously or intramuscularly thus giving a controlled release matrix for a drug. Although the concept has been patented with claims that this kind of drug delivery is achievable in theory for a wide variety of candidate substances, actual formulation studies for making a commercially viable product for this technology are completely lacking in practice. The research embodied in this thesis addresses this lack. Initial studies involved conducting a biocompatibility study using the HET-CAM (hens egg test - chorioallantoic membrane) test on a range of possible ingredients for the delivery system. The materials deemed biocompatible were then carried through to a screening process where the physical stability of the hydrophilic polymers in non-aqueous solvents was monitored. It was found that the hydrophilic polymers tested sedimented rapidly in the non-aqueous solvents indicating such a system was not physically stable. Consequently, density-inducing or viscosity-inducing agents were added to the non-aqueous solvents to retard the sedimentation rate. The addition of polycarbophil, a viscosity-inducing agent, clearly increased the viscosity of the system. However, undesirable formation of polycarbophil globules occurred during the manufacturing process, which caused batch-to-batch variations in the viscosity of the continuous phase. Various manufacturing methods were tested before arriving at the optimum procedure to prevent globule formation using a high speed dispersion tool. A final physical sedimentation analysis of candidate continuous phases and hydrophilic polymers was conducted for determining the ideal combination of ingredients to use in the system. These investigations finally led to the adoption of an optimum mix of components consisting of 10% (w/w) hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) (the hydrophilic polymer) suspended in a continuous phase of propylene glycol (the non-aqueous solvent) containing 0.67% (w/w) polycarbophil (the viscosity inducing agent). Using this mix of components, the in situ gelling matrix system was then subjected to various characterisation studies including infrared (IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry and redispersion studies. The chemical stability of the hydrophilic polymer and the continuous phase (the non-aqueous solvent and polycarbophil) was monitored and were found to be chemically stable over a 9 month period. The feasibility of the in situ gelling matrix technology as a controlled release device was assessed using the drug propranolol. In vitro drug release studies were conducted using a custom-built dissolution apparatus. The effect of various parameters such as the concentration of the hydrophilic gelling agent on the drug release rate was investigated. Increasing the concentration of the gelling agent in the formulation resulted in a slower rate of release. The drug release data were modelled using the Higuchi relationship and a power law relationship to compare the effects of the various parameters on the release rate Stability studies on the drug in the in situ gelling matrix system were carried out by storing samples in accelerated ageing conditions of 40 C / 75% relative humidity for 4 weeks. During this time, the samples were analysed each week by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). These demonstrated that no apparent drug degradation had occurred over the 4-week period. This indicates that the drug propranolol in the in situ gelling matrix system is stable under ambient conditions for at least 4 weeks. The results of this study demonstrated that the in situ gelling matrix technology is potentially viable as a drug delivery system and provide a practical methodology for the commercial development of such systems.

Introduction: Embolic agents are used to block blood flow of hypervascular tumours, ultimately resulting in target tissue necrosis. However, this therapy is limited by the formation of new blood vessels within the tumour, a process known as angiogenesis. Targeting angiogenesis led to the discovery of anti-angiogenic factors, large molecular weight proteins that can block the angiogenic process. The aim of this research is development of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) aqueous solutions that cross-link in situ to form a hydrogel that functions as an embolic agent for delivery of macromolecular drugs. Methods: PVA (14 kDa, 83% hydrolysed), functionalised by 7 acrylamide groups per chain, was used to prepare 10, 15, and 20wt% non-degradable hydrogels, cured by UV or redox initiation. Structural properties were characterised and the release of FITCDextran (20kDa) was quantified. Degradable networks were then prepared by attaching to PVA (83% and 98 % hydrolysed) ester linkages with an acrylate end group. The effect on degradation profiles was assessed by varying parameters such as macromer concentration, cross-linking density, polymer backbone and curing method. To further enhance the technology, radiopaque degradable PVA was synthesised, and degradation profiles were determined. Cell growth inhibition of modified PVA and degradable products were also investigated. Results: Redox initiation resulted in non-degradable PVA networks of well-controlled structural properties. Increasing the solid content from 10 to 20wt% prolonged the release time from few hours to ~ 2 days but had no effect on the percent release, with only a maximum release of 65% achieved. Ester attachment to the PVA allowed flexibility in designing networks of variable swelling behaviors and degradation times allowing ease of tailoring for specific clinical requirements. Synthesis of radiopaque degradable PVA hydrogels was successful without affecting the polymer solubility in water or its ability to polymerize by redox. This suggested that this novel hydrogel is a potential liquid embolic with enhanced X-ray visibility. Degradable products had negligible cytotoxicity. Conclusion: Novel non-degradable and radiopaque degradable PVA hydrogels cured by redox initiation were developed in this research. The developed PVA hydrogels showed characteristics in vitro that are desirable for the in vivo application as release systems for anti-angiogenic factors.

Daily injections for basal insulin therapy are far from ideal resulting in hypo/hyperglycemic episodes associated with fatal complications in type-1 diabetes patients. The purpose of this study was to develop a thermosensitive copolymer-based in situ depot forming delivery system to provide controlled release of insulin for extended duration following a single subcutaneous injection, closely mimicking physiological basal insulin requirement. Size and nature of the incorporated therapeutic were observed to affect the release profile of insulin. Modification with zinc and chitosan preserved thermal, conformational, and chemical stability of insulin during the entire duration of storage (up to 9 months at 4 °C) and release (up to 3 months at 37 °C). In vivo, daily administration of long-acting insulin, glargine, resulted in fluctuating blood glucose levels between 91 – 443 mg/dL in type 1 diabetic rats. However, single administration of oleic acid-grafted-chitosan-zinc-insulin complexes incorporated in copolymer formulation demonstrated slow diffusion of insulin complexes maintaining peak-free basal insulin level of 21 mU/L for 91 days. Sustained release of basal insulin also correlated with efficient glycemic control (blood glucose <120 mg/dL), prevention of diabetic ketoacidosis and absence of cataract development, unlike other treatment groups. The suggested controlled basal insulin delivery system has the potential to significantly improve patient compliance by improving glycemic control and eliminating life-threatening diabetes complications. Furthermore, oleic acid-grafted-chitosan (CO) nanomicelles were investigated as a non-viral vector to deliver plasmid DNA encoding short hairpin RNA (shRNA) against pro-inflammatory cytokines to adipose tissue macrophages and adipocytes for the treatment of insulin resistance. Nanomicelles modified using mannose (COM) and adipose homing peptide (AHP) (COA) showed significantly higher uptake and transfection efficiency in inflamed macrophages- adipocytes co culture owing to glucose transporter-1 and prohibitin receptor mediated internalization, respectively. Ligand modified nanomicelles loaded with shRNA against tumor necrosis factor alpha (COM-TNFα) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (COA-MCP1) demonstrated significant attenuation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in obese-diabetic mice for six weeks post treatment with single dose of optimized formulation. Overall, chitosan nanomicelles mediated targeted gene therapy can help attenuate inflammation, the chief underlying cause of insulin resistance, thereby helping reverse the progression of diabetes.<br>National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant R15GM114701<br>ND EPSCoR seed award FAR0030636

This thesis focuses on improved processing methods for enhanced mechanical properties in polymer nanocomposites, and controlled drug release in polymer based delivery systems. Supercritical carbon dioxide assisted mixing was successfully used in preparation of polypropylene/sepiolite and polypropylene/multiwall carbon nanotube nanocomposites. Relatively homogeneous dispersed and well separated nanofillers were obtained throughout the PP matrix. A better preservation of nanofiller lengths was observed in the scCO 2 assisted mixing. Mechanical property studies showed a marked increase in Young's modulus and tensile strength with the addition of nanofillers. More interestingly, techniques usually designed to achieve high quality PP nanocomposites, such as the use of masterbatches, maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene compatibilizers or polymer coated MWNTs are not needed to achieve equivalent mechanical properties with scCO2 assisted mixing. ScCO2 was also used as a foaming technique to modify the traditional cured poly(ethyl methacrylate/tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate) system for a controlled release of chlorhexidine. Highly porous structures were produced and chlorhexidine released from scCO2 foamed samples was more than 3 times higher than traditionally cured samples. By altering the processing conditions, such as CO2 saturation time and depressurization time the CX release rate was altered. Finally, the electrospinning method was combined with the layering encapsulation technique in order to enable the incorporation of water-soluble drugs in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) fibres for biomedical applications. Water-soluble drug, Rhodamine 6G or protein bovine serum albumin, loaded calcium carbonate microparticles were successfully incorporated in PLGA fibres and a bead and string structured composite fibres.

La presente tesis doctoral, titulada "Nanotecnología y química supramolecular en procesos de liberación controlada y reconocimiento molecular para aplicaciones biomédicas", se centra en dos temas importantes: el reconocimiento molecular y los procesos de liberación controlada. Esta tesis doctoral está estructurada en cuatro capítulos. El primer capítulo introduce el concepto de materiales híbridos orgánicos-inorgánicos funcionalizados con puertas moleculares y sus aplicaciones biomédicas como nanomateriales para dirigir y controlar la liberación controlada de fármacos. Además se introduce una breve descripción sobre sensors colorimétricos basados en la base de la quimica supramolecular, particularmente en los procesos de reconocimiento molecular. En particular, el capítulo 2 describe la preparacion de cinco nanodispositivos que responden a enzimas. Estos materiales híbridos se componen de dos unidades principales: un soporte mesoporoso basado en sílice inorgánica, capaz de encapsular moléculas orgánicas y un compuesto orgánico anclado en la superficie externa del soporte mesoporoso inorgánico que actúa como puerta molecular. Todos los sistemas propuestos utilizan puertas moleculares peptídicas que responden a temperatura o enzimas como estímulo. La segunda parte de esta tesis doctoral se centra en el diseño y desarrollo de un nuevo compuesto químico capaz de detectar monóxido de carbono in vivo. En resumen, para todos los resultados antes mencionados podemos decir que esta tesis doctoral constituye una contribución científica original al desarrollo de la química supramolecular. Sus resultados derivados de los estudios presentados dejan rutas abiertas para continuar el estudio y el desarrollo de nuevos materiales híbridos y sensors químicos más eficientes para aplicaciones biomédicas y terapeuticas.<br>This PhD thesis entitled "Nanotechnology and supramolecular chemistry in controlled release and molecular recognition processes for biomedical applications", is focused on two important subjects: molecular recognition and controlled delivery processes. This PhD thesis is structured in four chapters. The first chapter introduces the concept of organic-inorganic hybrid materials containing switchable "gate-like" ensembles and their biomedical applications as nanomaterials for targeting and control drug delivery. Furthermore, is introduced a short review about chromo-fluorogenic chemosensors based on basic principles of supramolecular chemistry, particulary in molecular recognition processes. In particular, in chapter 2 is focus on the development of enzymatic-driven nanodevices. These hybrid materials are composed of two main units: an inorganic silica based mesoporous scaffold, able to store organic molecules and an organic compound anchored on the external surface of the inorganic mesoporous support than acts as molecular gate. All the systems proposed use peptidic gates that respond to temperature or enzimatic stimulis. The second part of this PhD thesis is focused on the design and development of a new chemical compound capable of detecting carbon monoxide in vivo. In summary, for all the results above mentioned we can say that this PhD thesis constitutes an original scientific contribution to the development of supramolecular chemistry. Its results derived from the studies presented leaves open routes to continue the study and development of new hybrid materials and more efficient chemical sensors with biomedical and therapeutic applications.<br>La present tesi doctoral, titulada "Nanotecnologia i química supramolecular en processos d'alliberament controlat i reconeixement molecular per a aplicacions biomèdiques", es centra en dos temes importants de la química: el reconeixement molecular i els processos d'alliberament controlat. Aquesta tesi doctoral està estructurada en quatre capítols. El primer capítol introdueix el concepte de materials híbrids orgànics-inorgànics funcionalitzats amb portes moleculars i les seves aplicacions biomèdiques com nanomaterials per dirigir i controlar l'alliberament controlat de fàrmacs. A més s'introdueix una breu descripció sobre sensors colorimètrics fonamentats en la base de la química supramolecular, particularment en els processos de reconeixement molecular. En particular, el capítol 2 descriu la preparació de cinc nanodispositius que responen a enzims. Aquests materials híbrids es componen de dues unitats principals: un suport mesoporos basat en sílice inorgànica, capaç d'encapsular molècules orgàniques i un compost orgànic ancorat a la superfície externa del suport mesoporós inorgànic que actua com a porta molecular. La segona part d'aquesta tesi doctoral es centra en el disseny i desenvolupaent d'un nou compost químic capaç de detectar monòxid de carboni in vivo. En resum, per a tots els resultats abans mencionats podem dir que esta tesi doctoral constituïx una contribució científica original al desenvolupament de la química supramolecular. Els seus resultats derivats dels estudis presentats deixen rutes obertes per a continuar l'estudi i el desenvolupament de nous materials hibrids i sensors químics més eficients per a aplicacions biomèdiques i terapeutiques.<br>De La Torre Paredes, C. (2017). Nanotechnology and supramolecular chemistry in controlled release and molecular recognition proceses for biomedical applications" [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/94043<br>TESIS

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Ohio State University, 2005.<br>Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xxii, 352 p.; also includes graphics. Includes bibliographical references (p. 346-352). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Akron, Dept. of Biomedical Engineering, 2006.<br>"December, 2006." Title from electronic thesis title page (viewed 12/31/2008) Advisor, Yang Yun; Committee members, Stephanie Lopina, Steven Schmidt; Department Chair, Daniel Sheffer; Dean of the College, George K. Haritos; Dean of the Graduate School, George R. Newkome. Includes bibliographical references.

The topical application of many substances, including drugs, enzymes, moisturizers and fragrances, contributes largely to the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. These components are often volatile in nature and dissipate in a matter of hours. When considering the different types of slow release systems, an overwhelming variety of these systems is available. Each one of the systems is unique in a way, and is designed to perform a particular function, whether it facilitates the controlled release of an active into the body via the skin surface (transdermal delivery) or whether it reduces the rate of loss of an active from the skin surface to the surrounding environment. For the purpose of this study, a previously existing fixative formulation which is believed to reduce the rate of loss of an active component to the environment, through film formation on the skin surface, was investigated. Alternative ingredients or components were incorporated together with the original fixative formulation ingredients into an experimental design which investigates the effect of each group of the components present. 18 formulations with various concentrations of the components within the groups and specified upper and lower limits for each component were formulated. The fixative properties of the formulations were analysed through the incorporation of a fixed amount of a simple fragrance molecule, 4- methoxybenzaldehyde, into each formulation and evaporation studies were conducted in an environmental room at 28±1° C over a period of 5 hours followed by gas chromatography analysis and finally data analyses using statistical methods. The most efficient fixative formulation was established using regression analysis. The fragrance compound in this formulation was found to evaporate at a rate of 0.47 g/L per hour. The least efficient fixative formulation lead to the loss of 0.78 g/L of the fragrance component per hour. From the calculated fragrance concentrations, the rate constant for each individual fixative formulation could be calculated and response surface 8 modelling by backward regression was used in order to determine how each component contributes to the rate of loss of the fragrance compound. Since the sum of the original ingredient and its alternative was constant, each of the original ingredients was coupled directly to its alternative and no conclusion could be made about the contribution of individual components. By increasing the concentration of Hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) 100K and its alternative HPC 140K, while keeping the effects of the other components constant, a decrease in the rate of fragrance loss was observed. The same conclusion could be made when increasing the concentrations of PEG-12 Dimethicone and its alternative cetyl dimethicone (decreases the evaporation rate). An interaction took place between HPC 100K and PEG-12 dimethicone and their alternatives. The negative effect was, however, not as strong as the combined positive effect on the rate of fragrance loss of the individual components HPC and PEG-12 dimethicone. Evidence suggested that the removal of the components polyvinylpyrrolidone and its alternative, polyurethane-32 (Baycusan® C1003), would improve the effectiveness of the fixative formulation in terms of its slow release properties. A confirmation experiment established that the exclusion of these components from the fixative formulation does improve the “slow release” properties thereof. A larger, more intricate design is required to investigate the effect of each one of the individual components and where the sum of the components (original and its alternative) is not constant.

[EN] The present PhD thesis, which is entitled "Design of new bio-gated nanodevices for advanced communication processes and targeted controlled release of therapeutic agents" is focused on the development of new functional hybrid organic-inorganic materials for applications in the field of the controlled delivery of target molecules. The first chapter of the present thesis gives an introduction to the organic-inorganic hybrid materials functionalized with "molecular gates" and its application in controlled release processes. The second chapter of this thesis is focused on the development of a new nanodevice able to deliver its cargo as a function of the glucose concentration. The nanodevice is based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded with a suitable fluorophore and functionalized with propylbenzymidazole moieties on the pore outlets. The mesopores are then capped with an active cyclodextrin modified glucose oxidase enzyme (through the formation of an inclusion complex between the cyclodextrins and the propylbenzymidazole group anchored to the solid support). When glucose is added its enzymatic oxidation produced gluconic acid. This acid induced a decrease in the pH of the medium and the protonation of the benzymidazole group that might result in the inclusion complex dethreading and the subsequent cargo release. The third chapter of the thesis is focused on the development of a new redox-responsive material for the controlled delivery of cytotoxic drugs in cancer cells. The system is based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded with a reporter (safranin O) and functionalized with two different sized polyethylene glycol chains in the pore outlets using a disulfide linkage. In presence of glutathione, the disulfide bonds are cleaved allowing the release of the entrapped cargo. Once confirmed the aperture protocol, the uptake of the gated nanoparticles and their ability to deliver the cargo (fluorophore or cytotoxic agent) in HeLa cells were tested. Moreover, cell viability assays were also performed. The fourth chapter of the thesis is focused on the preparation and the study of a nanodevice for the controlled delivery in senescent cells in a murine model of pulmonary fibrosis. The material is prepared using mesoporous silica nanoparticles (as an inorganic support) and galactoligosaccharide (molecular gate) moieties anchored on the external surface. In presence of senescent cells, which overexpress ß-galactosidase enzyme, the hydrolysis of the galactooligosaccharide capping molecules take place and the cargo release from the inner of the pores is produced (rhodamine B). After the in vitro studies, the ability of nanoparticles to accumulate and release their payload in tissues with abundance of senescent cells was evaluated in vivo. For that purpose, mice with induced pulmonary fibrosis, pathogenesis with associated increased alveolar senescence, were treated with the synthesized material and subsequently examined to assess its ability to accumulate and release its payload (fluorophore) in lung's damaged areas. In the fifth chapter of the thesis it has been explored the concept of cascade chemical communication using different types of nanodevices, each of them loaded with a certain messenger and externally functionalized with a gate-like entity that controls the release of the payload. When the enzyme able to hydrolyze the molecular gate that blocks the pores of the first type of nanoparticles (S1), is added to an aqueous suspension containing the three nanoparticles, the delivery of the chemical messenger 1 is produced. This messenger is able to open the second type of nanoparticles (S2) which delivers the messenger 2. Finally, the messenger 2 triggers the aperture of the third group of gated system (S3), which ultimately delivers its load (a dye) as a final response.<br>[ES] La presente tesis doctoral titulada "Diseño de nuevos nanodispositivos para procesos avanzados de comunicación y liberación controlada y dirigida de agentes terapéuticos" está centrada en el desarrollo de nuevos materiales híbridos orgánico-inorgánicos funcionales para aplicaciones en el campo de la liberación controlada de moléculas de interés. El primer capítulo de la tesis ofrece una introducción a los materiales híbridos orgánico-inorgánicos funcionalizados con "puertas moleculares" y su aplicación en procesos de liberación controlada. En el segundo capítulo de la tesis se aborda el desarrollo de un nanodispositivo capaz de responder y liberar su carga en función de la concentración de glucosa. Este nanodispositivo está basado en nanoparticulas de sílice mesoporosa funcionalizadas en su superficie externa con grupos benzimidazol y con los poros cargados con un fluoróforo. Los poros se cierran al añadir la enzima glucosa oxidasa funcionalizada con ciclodextrinas (por formación de un complejo de inclusión entre el benzimidazol y los oligosacáridos cíclicos). Al adicionar glucosa se produce su oxidación enzimática dando ácido glucónico. Este ácido induce una bajada del pH del medio con la consiguiente protonación de los benzimidazoles y la ruptura de los complejos de inclusión. Esta ruptura provoca la salida de la enzima de la superficie y la liberación del colorante atrapado en los poros. El tercer capítulo de la tesis se ha centrado en el desarrollo de un material para la liberación controlada de agentes citotóxicos en células cancerosas en respuesta a cambios en el potencial redox. De nuevo se emplean nanopartículas de sílice mesoporosa con los poros cargados con un colorante (safranina O) y la superficie externa funcionalizada con dos polietilenglicoles conteniendo enlaces disulfuro. En presencia de glutatión se produce la reducción del enlace disulfuro con la consiguiente liberación del colorante. Una vez confirmado el protocolo de apertura, se estudió la internalización y la liberación de un fluoróforo y de un agente citotóxico en el modelo celular HeLa, realizando además ensayos de viabilidad. En el cuarto capítulo de la tesis se ha preparado y ensayado un nanodispositivo para la liberación controlada en células senescentes en un modelo murino de fibrosis pulmonar. El material se prepara empleando nanopartículas de sílice mesoporosa y un galactooligosacárido anclado en la superficie externa. En presencia de células senescentes, que sobreexpresan la enzima ¿-galactosidasa, se produce la hidrólisis del oligosacárido con la consiguiente liberación de la carga atrapada en los poros del soporte (rodamina B). Tras los estudios in vitro, la capacidad del nanodispositivo de acumularse y liberar su carga en tejidos ricos en células senescentes se evaluó in vivo. Para ello, ratones con fibrosis pulmonar inducida, patología en la que se ha descrito la aparición de senescencia, se trataron con el material sintetizado y posteriormente fueron examinados para comprobar la capacidad de acumularse y liberar su carga (fluoróforo) en la zona pulmonar dañada. En el quinto capítulo se ha explorado el proceso de comunicación química en cascada empleando tres tipos de nanopartículas mesoporosas de sílice cargadas con diferentes mensajeros y funcionalizadas con tres puertas moleculares distintas. Cuando sobre una suspensión de las tres nanopartículas se añade la enzima capaz de hidrolizar la puerta molecular que bloquea los poros del primer tipo de nanopartículas (S1), se produce la liberación del mensajero 1. Este mensajero es capaz de inducir la apertura del segundo tipo de nanopartículas (S2), que a su vez liberan al medio el mensajero 2. Por último, el mensajero 2 es capaz de abrir la puerta molecular del tercer tipo de nanopartículas (S3), que liberan finalmente su carga (un colorante) como respuesta final.<br>[CAT] La present tesis doctoral titulada "Disseny de nous nanodispositius per a processos avançats de comunicació i lliberació controlada i dirigida d'agents terapèutics" està centrada en el desenvolupament de nous materials híbrids orgànic-inorgànic funcionals per a aplicacions en el camp de la lliberació controlada de molècules d'interès. El primer capítol de la tesis ofereix una introducció als materials híbrids orgànic-inorgànic funcionalitzats amb "portes moleculars" i la seua aplicació en processos de lliberació controlada. En el segon capítol de la tesis s'aborda el desenvolupament d'un nanodispositiu capaç de respondre i lliberar la seua càrrega en funció de la concentració de glucosa. Este nanodispositiu està basat en nanopartícules de sílice mesoporoses funcionalitzades a la seua superfície externa amb grups benzimidazol i amb els pors carregats amb un fluoròfor. Els pors queden bloquejats al afegir el enzim glucosa oxidasa funcionalitzada amb ciclodextrines (per formació d'un complex d'inclusió entre el benzimidazol i els oligosacàrids cíclics). Al afegir glucosa es produeix la seua oxidació enzimàtica donant lloc a àcid glucònic. Este àcid indueix una baixada del pH del medi amb la consegüent protonació dels benzimidazols i el trencament dels complexes d'inclusió. Este trencament provoca l'eixida del enzim de la superfície i la lliberació del colorant atrapat als pors. El tercer capítol de la tesis s'ha centrat en la preparació d'un material per a la lliberació controlada d'agents citotòxics en cèl¿lules canceroses en resposta a canvis en el potencia redox. De nou s'empren nanopartícules de sílice mesoporoses amb els pors carregats amb un colorant (safranina O) i la superfície externa funcionalitzada amb dos polietilenglicols (de diferent pes molecular) contenint enllaços disulfur. En presència de glutatió es produeix la reducció del enllaç disulfur amb la consegüent lliberació del colorant. Una volta confirmat el protocol d'obertura, es va estudiar la internalització i la lliberació d'un fluoròfor i d'un agent citotòxic en el model cel¿lular HeLa, realitzant ademés assajos de viabilitat. En el quart capítol de la tesis s'ha preparat i s'ha estudiat un nanodispositiu per a la lliberació controlada en cèl¿lules senescents, en un model murí de fibrosis pulmonar. El material es prepara emprant nanopartícules de sílice mesoporoses i un galactooligosacàrid anclat a la superfície externa del material. En presència de cèl¿lules senescents, que sobreexpresen el enzim ¿-galactosidasa, es produeix la hidròlisis del oligosacàrid amb el consegüent alliberament de la càrrega atrapada en els pors del suport (rodamina B). Després dels estudis in vitro, la capacitat del nanodispositiu d'acumular-se i lliberar la càrrega en teixits rics en cèl¿lules senecents es va evaluar in vivo. Amb este propòsit, ratolins amb fibrosis pulmonar induïda, patologia en la que s'ha descrit l'aparició de senescència en els teixits danyats, es van tractar amb el material sintetitzat i posteriorment van ser examinats per a comprovar la capacitat d'acumular-se i lliberar la seua càrrega (fluoròfor) en la zona dels pulmons afectada. En el quint capítol s'ha explorat el procés de comunicació química en cascada utilitzant tres tipus de nanopartícules mesoporoses de sílice carregades amb diferents missatgers i funcionalitzades amb tres portes moleculars diferents. Quan, sobre una suspensió de les tres nanopartícules, s'afegeix l'enzim capaç d'hidrolitzar la porta molecular que bloqueja els pors del primer tipus de nanopartícules (S1), es produeix la lliberació del missatger 1 des de S1. Este missatger és capaç d'induir l'obertura del segon tipus de nanopartícules (S2), les quals lliberen al medi el missatger 2. Per últim, el missatger 2 és capaç d'obrir la porta molecular del tercer tipus de nanopartícules (S3), que lliberen finalment la seua càrr<br>Giménez Morales, C. (2016). Design of new bio-gated nanodevices for advanced communication processes and targeted controlled release of therapeutic agents [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/62822<br>TESIS

Pharmaceutics;<br>Ph.D.<br>The objectives of this project encompass the design and development of a drug delivery system to continuously deliver therapeutic agents from the stomach to the proximal region of the intestine. The delivery system designed would have sufficient gastric residence time together with near zero-order release kinetics. The physicochemical properties pertaining to the formulation development of the model drug (alfuzosin HCl) were evaluated. Excipients were selected based on the studies of their physicochemical properties and compatibility with the active ingredient. Gastro-retentive dosage forms have been the topic of interest in recent years as a practical approach in drug deliveries to the upper GI tract or for release prolongation and absorption. These dosage forms are particularly suitable for drugs that have local effects on the gastric mucosa in the stomach. Other candidates include drugs that are likely to be absorbed in the upper small intestine, or drugs that are unstable in basic environment of distal intestine and colon or those with low solubility at elevated pH conditions (i.e. weak bases). To develop a gastro-retentive delivery system the following steps were taken. First, to investigate the possible incompatibility issues between the model drug and excipients to be used for the delivery system. Stability and physicochemical properties of the active agent and its mixture with excipients were studied using analytical techniques such as Raman spectroscopy and Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). No incompatibility issues were detected. Second, Kollidon SR as a relatively new release-rate controlling polymer was incorporated in the final formulation. For solid dosage form the ability of the final powder mix to flow well during manufacturing and the intrinsic characteristics that make it compressible are critical. The in-depth compaction study of Kollidon SR was assessed with the help of a compaction simulator. The flowability, swelling and erosion behavior together with release-rate retarding properties of Kollidon SR were also assessed. The final oral delivery system was based on Kollidon SR and Polyethylene Oxide (PEO) 303 as a monolithic matrix system. The noneffervescent monolithic matrix was made by direct compression. In vitro evaluation of the designed system released the active content in a near zero manner. The dosage form was bouyant in pH 2.0 acidic buffer with no floatation lag time which minimizes the possibility of early gastric emptying.

Mestrado em Ciência e Engenharia de Materiais<br>A Drug Delivery System (DDS) may provide the precise transportation of the medical drug inside the patient’s body, directly to the pathological area or alternatively it may be also locally administrated. Once at the site of interest, the ideal DDS is expected to release the drug in a sustained manner according to the specific needs of the patient. As compared to other routes of drug administration, an appropriately designed DDS which active components are conveniently targeted should also ensure the desired in situ treatment without harmful effects of the drug over healthy tissues. The inorganic part of the human bone is mainly composed by hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) (HAP). Chitosan (CH), a natural polymer, is a linear glucose based polysaccharide. These two compounds are non-toxic, biodegradable and highly biocompatible and hence widely used for various biomedical applications (DDS, tissue engineering, implants, etc.). Moreover, some unique features including the amphiphilicity and good mucoadhesive properties of chitosan together with the ability of HAP to adsorb and then release different chemical species make these compounds challenging materials for DDS design. The present work addresses the combination of HAP and CH with a drug model aimed at engineering a DDS with a controlled drug release. Dexamethasone (DEX) is the drug model here selected. DEX is a corticosteroid with anti-inflammatory, antineoplastic and immunosuppressant effects, which is used for the treatment of various diseases like endocrine, dermatologic and neoplastic disorders and cancer among others. In the present research, composite granules with different ratios of HAP and CH components were produced by spray drying aqueous suspension of HAP, chitosan and DEX. To reduce polymer swelling, Glutaraldehyde (GA) was used to cross-link CH. Granules were also produced by a double spray drying technique, which so far has not been yet reported in the literature. The morphology and crystal phase composition of the produced granules were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), N2 adsorption using the BET isotherm (BET), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The obtained results showed that the variation of (HAP/CH) ratio affected the morphology of the granules as when that ratio increases the granules morphology changes from spherical with rough surface to a shape with concavities and smooth surface. Regarding the granules obtained by double spray drying, their morphological characteristics indicated that a core-shell structure was obtained. The drug release experiments were carried out by immersing the DEX loaded granules into phosphate buffer solution (PBS), kept at 37 °C under constant stirring. Aliquots of PBS were withdrawn after different times and their drug content evaluated by UV-Vis spectroscopy at λ= 241,5 nm. The results showed that granules with different composition could display different drug release patterns: HAP/CH granules cross-linked with GA (0,2 wt %) exhibit a more sustained drug release than granules with the same HAP/CH ratio without modification; as for double spray dried granules, a characteristic profile with a double plateau was observed, in line with a core-shell structure. Attempting to elucidate the mechanisms underlying DEX release, different mathematical models were compared with the measured release profiles. It was found that Peppas-Sahlin and Weibull equations are appropriate models for predicting the drug release from the produced granules. In conclusion, the cross-linking and morphology engineering (core-shell structure) via double spray drying allowed improving DEX release profile of HAP/CH DDSs.<br>Um sistema de libertação de fármacos (DDS) pode transportar de forma precisa o fármaco para o sítio alvo,,i.e., directamente para a zona patológica ou ser administrado localmente. Uma vez no local de interesse, o DDS deve libertar o fármaco de forma controlada, de acordo com as necessidades específicas do paciente, garantindo in situ o tratamento desejado, sem efeitos nocivos sobre os tecidos saudáveis. A parte inorgânica do osso humano é composta principalmente por hidroxiapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) (HAP). O quitosano (CH), um polímero natural e abundante. Para além de altamente biocompatíveis estes dois compostos são biodegradáveis, podendo ser utilizados em várias aplicações biomédicas (DDS, engenharia de tecidos, implantes, etc.). Além disso, as características de anfifilicidade e as boas propriedades mucoadesivas do quitosano, somadas à capacidade da HAP para absorver diferentes espécies químicas fazem destes compostos materiais desafiantes para um projecto de DDS. O presente trabalho aborda a combinação de HAP com CH para produção de um DDS. A dexametasona (DEX), que é um corticosteróide com acção anti-inflamatória, anti-neoplásica e efeitos imunossupressores, foi o fármaco modelo seleccionado. Neste trabalho produziram-se grânulos compósitos, com diferentes proporções de HAP e CH, por atomização de suspensões aquosas de HAP, quitosano e DEX. Utilizou-se glutaraldeído (GA) para reticular o CH e procedeu-se também à dupla atomização dos grânulos, uma técnica ainda não reportada na literatura. Os ensaios de libertação do fármaco foram efectuados por imersão dos grânulos carregadas com DEX em solução de fosfato tampão mantida a 37 ° C e sob agitação constante. Alíquotas de PBS foram retiradas após diferentes períodos de tempo e a sua concentração de fármaco avaliada por UV-Vis a λ = 241,5 nm. As características morfológicas e a composição de fases cristalinas dos grânulos atomizados foram avaliadas por micróscopia eletrónica de varrimento (SEM), por adsorção de N2 usando a isotérmica de BET e por difração de raios-X (XRD). Os resultados obtidos mostraram que a variação da razão (HAP / CH) afectou a morfologia dos grânulos: quando a razão aumenta a morfologia dos grânulos evolui de esférica e rugosa para lisa e com concavidades. Por outro lado as características morfológicas dos grânulos duplamente atomizados indicam uma estrutura core-shell. No que se refere aos resultados de libertação de DEX, verificou-se que grânulos de composição diferente evidenciam perfis de libertação distintos: os grânulos reticulados com GA (0,2 %) apresentam uma curva de libertação mais lenta do que a observada para os grânulos com igual razão HAP/CH mas não modificados; quanto aos grânulos com dupla atomização, estes apresentam um padrão de libertação característico, com duplo patamar, em linha com a referida estrutura core-shell. Na tentativa de elucidar os mecanismos subjacentes à libertação de DEX, compararam-se os perfis medidos com diferentes modelos matemáticos. Verificou-se que o padrão de libertação da DEX pode ser adequadamente descrito pela equação de Peppas-Sahlin e de Weibull. Em conclusão, a reticulação e a engenharia de morfologia (estrutura core-shell) pela via da dupla atomização permitiram melhorar o perfil de libertação de DEX do DDS à base de grânulos compósitos de HAP/CH.

L’objectif principal de ce travail de thèse est de développer une nouvelle formulation formant un dépôt in situ après administration parentérale pour la libération prolongée de principes actifs. Les systèmes à base de chitosane (CS) formant des hydrogels sous l’action de la chaleur corporelle ont été choisis parmi les différentes catégories de formulations injectables se solidifiant in situ pour la biocompatibilité et la biodégradabilité reconnue de ce polymère. Après une revue des différents systèmes thermo-gélifiants à base de CS et de leurs utilisations, nous nous sommes intéressés en détail aux mécanismes sur lesquels reposaient la formation des hydrogels de CS / agent gélifiant. Une étude rhéologique approfondie combinée à de la 31P-RMN a permis de mettre en évidence le rôle clé de la partie polyol de l’agent gélifiant dans cemécanisme. La troisième partie a été consacrée au développement d’un nouveau système associant le CS au glucose-1-phosphate (G1-P). Une étude des propriétés physico-chimiques et de la stabilité de ce système a mis en évidence sa gélification dans les conditions physiologiques et l’amélioration significative de sa stabilité à long terme par rapport au système standard CS / glycérophosphate. Des essais de tolérance locale souscutanée réalisés sur un modèle murin ont montré que le système est raisonnablement bien toléré. Enfin, la dernière partie, consacrée à l’étude de la libération in vitro de différents composés modèles, a démontré l’aptitude du réseau polymère de CS / G1-P à prolonger la libération des substances incorporées<br>The aim of this work was to develop a new parenteral in situ forming depot (ISFD) system for the controlled delivery of drugs. Chitosan (CS)-based systems that undergo sol / gel transition upon heating at physiological temperature were selected among the different categories of ISFDs due to their well-known biocompatibility and biodegradability. After an overall review of the recent progresses on standard CS-based ISFD systems, the synergistic mechanisms underlying the temperature-induced gelation of the CS / gelling agent systems were investigated through comprehensive rheological studies completed by 31P-NMR measurements. These investigations emphasized the key role of the polyol part of the gelling agent. The next step consisted in developing a new system combining CS and glucose-1-phosphate (G1-P). The physico-chemical characteristics and storage stability of this system were investigated. The results highlighted a sol / gel transition under physiological conditions and improved storage stability compared to the standard CS / glycerophosphate system. Local tolerability studies of the hydrogels in rats showed that the system was reasonably well tolerated. Finally, the last chapter, dedicated to the study of the in vitro release behavior of several model compounds, emphasized the ability of the polymeric CS / G1-P network to sustain the release of the incorporated substances

This study seeks to develop smart hydrogel formulations for injectable controlled drug delivery from Pluronics to enhance patients compliance, decrease side effects, reduce dose and frequency. A biocompatible copolymer, Pluronic F127 was probed as the main ingredient for the injectable systems owing its low gelation concentration and ease of modification the system properties through excipients addition. The matrix properties were studied through a series of thermal, rheological and structural (SAXS/SANS) experiments as a function of concentration and shear rate, covering both static and dynamic environments. It has shown that gelled viscosity (and structure) can be critically controlled by shear rate and the structures recorded do not match those predicted for sheared colloids. Two further Pluronics F68 and F108, were studied showing similar but shifted gelation properties to F127. Effects of additives were studied by introducing different Mw PEGs and a model hydrophobic drug ‘ibuprofen’ to a F127 20% formulation. PEGs addition effects on the system properties and gelation transition were largely dependent on the Mw used in the blend, which became more prominent with increasing chain length. Ibuprofen’s addition has resulted in reduced gelation temperature and smaller hard spheres without having a great effect on the system rheological properties compared to neat gels. Blends containing both additives PEG and ibuprofen exhibited a synergistic effect, where comparisons show that Ibuprofen had the largest effect on the blends lowering gelation boundaries and slightly increasing the size of the hard spheres indicating the necessity of full characterisation of the formulation with any API.

Controlled drug delivery systems are becoming increasingly interesting with the contribution of nanotechnology. In the case of transdermal applications the greatest limitation is the highly impermeable outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum. One promising method of controlled transdermal drug delivery of the skin therapeutics is the use of nanoparticles as carriers. Encapsulation of the drug, as opposed to classical topical application of creams or emulsions, allows the drug to diffuse into hair follicles where drug release can occur in the deeper layers of the skin. The aim of this study was to develop micro and nano sized carriers as drug delivery systems to achieve treatment for skin conditions like psoriasis, aging or UV damage, caused by radiation or health problems. Two different types of bioactive agents, retinyl palmitate (RP) and Dead Sea Water (DSW), were used by encapsulating in poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) carriers. In some tests MgCl2 was used as a substitute for DSW when quantification was needed. Bioactive agent loaded nanospheres and nanocapsules were prepared with o/w and w/o/w methods in low micron (1.9 &micro<br>m), mid nano (426 nm) and nano (166 nm) sizes. Loading, encapsulation efficiency and release kinetics were studied. The encapsulation efficiency and loading values are low especially for the water soluble agents, DSW and MgCl2. It was observed that the capsules loaded with hydrophilic agents released their content in the first 24 h in aqueous media. The encapsulation efficiency and loading values for RP were higher because of the insolubility of the agent in water. In the in vitro studies carried out with L929 mouse fibroblast cells, the nano sized PHBV capsules were detected in the cytoplasm of the cells. Cell viability assay (MTT) for L929 cells showed a growth trend indicating that the particles were not cytotoxic and the values were close to the controls. Hemolytic activity was examined using human erythrocytes and micro/nanoparticles of PHBV were found to be non hemolytic. In vivo testing with BALB/c mice, nanocapsule penetration revealed that a small amount of nano sized particles penetrated the mice skin, despite the highly impermeable outer skin layer. As a result, PHBV micro/nanoparticles have a significant potential for use as topical drug delivery systems in the treatment of skin diseases.

ABSTRACT<p><p>This project aimed at developing a drug delivery system (DDS) able to enhance the stability and<p>residence time in vivo of antibodies (Abs). The system will deliver drug by the subcutaneous<p>route (SC), while ensuring accurate control of the drug release and the resulting plasmatic level. This technology platform will allow to reduce frequency of injection, potentially decrease side effects and maintain high concentration of Abs which will improve life of patient having chronic disease such as autoimmune and inflammatory disease. Biodegradable synthetic polymer-based formulations (polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA)) were selected as carriers for encapsulated Abs. This was because they offer good protection for the Abs and allow sustained release of the Abs for a controlled period of time. After the evaluation of different encapsulation methods such as the water-oil-in-water (w/o/w) and the solid-in-oil-inwater<p>(s/o/w) processes, the encapsulation of the Ab in solid state (s/o/w) appeared to be more appropriate for producing Ab-loaded PLGA microspheres (MS). It allowed us to maintain the<p>Ab in a monomeric conformation and to avoid the formation of unsoluble aggregates mainly present at the water/oil interface. The first part of the project was the optimization of both the method for producing the Ab solid particles (spray-drying process) and the encapsulation of these Ab solid particles into the polymeric MS (s/o/w process) by design of experiment (DoE). These optimizations were carried out using a bovine polyclonal immunoglobulin G (IgG) as model molecule. In further optimization of the spray-drying process by (DoE), aqueous Ab solutions were spray-dried using a mini Spray-Dryer assembly with a 0.7 mm spray nozzle. In accordance with the particle size (d(0.5) ~5 μm), the stability (no loss of monomer measured by<p>size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and the yield of the spray-drying process (> 60 % w/w), the process parameters were set of follow: 3 mL/min as liquid feed flow rate, 130°C /75°C as inlet temperature (inlet T°) / outlet temperature (outlet T°), 800 L/h as atomization flow rate and<p>30 m3/h as drying air flow rate. For the s/o/w, the methylene chloride (MC) commonly used for<p>an encapsulation process was replaced by ethyl acetate (EtAc), which was considered as a more<p>suitable organic solvent in terms of both environmental and human safety. The effects of several processes and formulation factors were evaluated on IgG:PLGA MS properties such as: particle size distribution, drug loading, IgG stability, and encapsulation efficiency (EE%). Several formulations and processing parameters were also statistically identified as critical to get reproducible process (e.g. the PLGA concentration, the volume of the external phase, the emulsification rate, and the quantity of IgG microparticles). The optimized encapsulation<p>method of the IgG has shown a drug loading of up to 6 % (w/w) and an encapsulation efficiency<p>of up to 60 % (w/w) while preserving the integrity of the encapsulated antibody. The produced MS were characterized by a d(0.9) lower than 110 μm and showed burst effect lower than 50 %(w/w). In the second part of the project, the optimized spray-drying and s/o/w processes<p>developed with the IgG were applied to a humanized anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha<p>MAb to confirm the preservation of the MAb activity during these processes. The selected s/o/w method allowed us to produce MAb-loaded PLGA MS with an appropriate release profile up to 6 weeks and MAb stability. In order to maintain the Abs’ activity, both during encapsulation and<p>dissolution, the addition of a stabilizer such as trehalose appeared to be crucial, as did the<p>selection of the PLGA. It was demonstrated that the use of a PLGA characterized by a 75:25<p>lactide:glycolide (e.g. Resomer ® RG755S) ratio decreased the formation of low molecular weight species during dissolution, which led to preserve Abs activity through its release from the<p>delivery system. Furthermore, the release profile was adjusted according to the type of polymer<p>and its concentration. E.g. 10 % w/v RG755S allowed Ab MS with a release time of 6 weeks to<p>be obtained. The optimization of both the formulation and the encapsulation process allowed<p>maximum 13 % w/w Ab-loaded MS to be produced. It was demonstrated that the Ab-loaded PLGA MS were stable when stored at 5°C for up to 12 weeks and that the selection of the appropriate type of PLGA was critical to assuring the stability of the system. The better stability observed when using a PLGA characterized by a 75:25 lactide:glycolide ratio was attributed to<p>its slower degradation rate. Finally, the sustained release of Ab from the developed MS and the preservation of its activity was confirmed in vivo in a pharmacokinetic (pK) study realized in<p>rats. In conclusion, the application of the concept of entrapment into a polymer matrix for<p>stabilization and sustained release of biological compounds was demonstrated through this work.<p><p><p><p>RÉSUMÉ<p><p>Ce projet a pour but de développer un système de délivrance de médicament capable d’augmenter la stabilité et le temps de résidence in vivo des anticorps. Ce système sera administré par voie sous-cutanée et permettra un control précis de la libération du produit et de son niveau plasmatique. Cette plateforme technologique nous permettra de réduire la fréquence d’injection, de réduire potentiellement les effets secondaires et de maintenir des concentrations élevées en anticorps tout en améliorant la vie des patients atteints de maladies chroniques autoimmunes ou inflammatoires. Les formulations à base de polymères synthétiques, biodégradables (PLGA) ont été sélectionnés comme véhicules pour encapsuler les anticorps. Ils offrent en effet une bonne protection pour les anticorps and permettent une libération contrôlée de ceux-ci pendant une période définie. Après l’évaluation de différents méthodes d’encapsulation tels que les procédés d’eau-dans-huile-dans-eau (w/o/w) et solide-dans-huile-dans-eau (s/o/w), l’encapsulation des anticorps sous forme solide apparaissait plus apporpriée pour produire des microsphères de polymère chargées en anticorps. Cette technique nous permettait de maintenir l’anticorps sous sa forme monomérique et d’éviter la formation d’agrégats insolubles qui apparaissaient principalement à l’interface eau/huile. La première partie du projet a été d’optimiser à la fois la méthode nous permettant d’obtenir les anticorps sous forme de particules solides (spray-drying) et la méthode d’encapsulation de ces particules d’anticorps dans les microsphères de polymères. Cela a été réalisé par des plans d’expérience en utilisant une IgG bovine polyclonale comme molécule modèle. Durant l’optimisation du procédé de spray-drying,<p>les solutions aqueuses d’anticorps ont été atomisées en utilisant le mini Spray-Dryer assemblé avec une buse de pulvérisation d’un diamètre de 0.7 mm. En accord avec la taille particulaire (d(0.5) ~5 μm), la stabilité (absence de perte en monomère mesurée par chromatographie d’exclusion de taille et le rendement d’atomisation (> 60 % w/w), les paramètres d’atomisation ont été fixés: 3 mL/min pour le débit de liquide, 130°C /75°C pour la température d’entrée / température de sortie, 800 L/h pour le débit d’air d’atomisation et 30 m3/h pour le débit d’air de séchage. Pour le s/o/w, le dichlorométhane communément utilisé dans les procédés d’encapsulation a été remplacé par l’acétate d’éthyle qui est considéré comme un meilleure solvant organique en terme d’environnement et de sécurité. Les effets de plusieurs paramètres de fabrication ou de formulation ont été évalués sur les propriétés des microsphères polymériques d’anticorps (distribution de taille particulaire, taux de charge en anticorps, stabilité de l’anticorps et efficacité d’encapsulation). Plusieurs paramètres de fabrication et de formulation ont été statistiquement identifiés comme critiques pour obtenir un procédé reproductible (par exemple. La concentration en PLGA, le volume de phase externe, la vitesse d’émulsification et la quantité d’anticorps). La méthode d’encapsulation ainsi optimisée permettait d’obtenir un taux<p>de charge jusqu’à 6% (w/w) avec une efficacité d’encapsulation jusqu’à 60 % (w/w) tout en<p>préservant l’intégrité de l’anticorps encapsulé. Les microsphères produites étaient caractérisées<p>par un d(0.9) inférieur à 110 μm et montraient une libération après 24 h inférieure à 50 % (w/w).<p>Dans le seconde partie du projet, les procédés d’atomisation et d’encapsulation développés avec<p>l’IgG ont été appliqués à un anticorps monoclonal anti-TNF alpha humanisé pour confirmer la<p>conservation de l’activité de l’anticorps pendant ces procédés. La méthode s/o/w sélectionnée<p>permettait de produire des microsphères de PLGA chargées en anticorps avec un profil de libération jusqu’à 6 semaines et un maintien de la stabilité de l’actif. Afin de maintenir l’activité de l’anticorps, à la fois pendant le procédé d’encapsulation et pendant la libération, l’ajout d’un stabilisant tel que le tréhalose est apparu crucial ainsi que le choix du type de PLGA. Il a été démontré que l’utilisation du PLGA caractérisé par un ratio lactide :glycolide de 75 :25 (par exemple, Resomer ® RG755S) diminuait la formation d’espèces de faible poids moléculaire<p>pendant la dissolution. Cela contribuait à préserver l’activité de l’anticorps durant la libération à partir des microsphères. De plus, le profil de libération était modulé en fonction du type de polymère et de sa concentration. Par exemple, l’utilisation d’une solution à 10 % w/v RG755S conduisait à la production de microsphères d’anticorps avec un temps de libération sur 6<p>semaines. L’optimisation de la formulation et du procédé d’encapsulation a permis de produire<p>des microsphères avec des taux de charge en anticorps de maximum 13 % w/w. Il a été démontré<p>que ces microsphères, stockées à 5°C, étaient stables jusqu’à 12 semaines et que la sélection du<p>type de PLGA était critique pour assurer la stabilité du système. La meilleure stabilité a été<p>obtenue en utilisant le PLGA caractérisé par un ratio lactide :glycolide de 75 :25. Cela a été<p>attribué à sa plus faible vitesse de dégradation. Enfin, la libération contrôlée de l’anticorps à<p>partir de ces microsphères et la conservation de son activité ont été confirmées in vivo lors d’une<p>étude pharmacocinétique réalisée chez le rat. En conclusion, ce travail a permis de démontrer<p>l’application du concept d’ « emprisonnement » des composés biologiques dans des matrices<p>polymériques afin de les stabiliser et contrôler leur libération.<br>Doctorat en Sciences biomédicales et pharmaceutiques<br>info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

With the emergence of novel and more effective drug therapies, increased importance is being placed upon the methods by which these drugs are being delivered to the body. In conventional drug delivery systems, there is very little control over the release of drug. The effective concentration at the target site can be achieved by intermittent administration of grossly excessive doses, which, often results in constantly, unpredictable variations in plasma concentrations, with the risk of reaching levels below or above the therapeutic range leading to marked side effects. A plethora of formulation strategies mainly based on polymeric/lipid nanoparticles, are described in literature. Even though these systems are therapeutically advantageous in comparison to conventional systems, they remain insensitive to the changing metabolic states of the body although the symptoms of most metabolic diseases follow a rhythmic pattern.A more appropriate and effective approach of managing some of these conditions lies in the chronotherapy. This approach allows for pulsed or self-regulated drug delivery which is adjusted to the staging of biological rhythms, since the onset of certain diseases exhibits strong circadian temporal dependence. In order to reach the objective of mimicking the biophysical and biochemical processes of pathological states, many innovations in material design for drug delivery systems (DDS) that are able to release the therapeutic payload-on-demand were done to release the therapeutic agent only when it is required, according to the physiological need. The development of multidisciplinary research teams has brought huge advantages in the design, fabrication and utilization of such smart systems, especially in the pharmaceutical field. Interestingly, numerous smart polymeric materials exhibit a response to a specific stimulus. A step further, the elaboration of purpose-built monomers can give rise to compounds with tunable sensitivities or multi-stimuli responsiveness. These smart polymers demonstrate an active responsiveness to environmental (or external) signals and change their physicochemical properties as designed (e.g. conformation, solubility, shape, charge or size). As far as the stimuli are concerned, they consist of physical (e.g. temperature, ultrasound, light, electricity, magnetic or mechanical stress), chemical (e.g. pH, ionic strength) and biological signals (e.g. enzymes, biomolecules). Due to the intrapersonal variabilities which may make internal stimuli hazardous, externally controlled systems rely on externally applied stimuli that are produced by stimuli-generating devices, which results in pulsed drug delivery. This type of delivery may be rapid and allows a transient release of a determined amount of drug within a short period of time immediately after a pre-determined off-release period. A novel strategy for the formation of multi-stimuli responsive materials endowed with pH, magnetic and light sensitivity was achieved. The approach relied on the incorporation of magnetic tetrahalogenoferrate(III) anions along a polymeric backbone based on poly(2-(N,N-dimethylamino) ethyl meth-acrylate) (PDMAEMA). Starting from the same PDMAEMA, quaternized pending amine groups with various halide derivatives gave rise to magnetic materials after anion metathesis. Measuring the magnetic susceptibility of these materials exhibited that the magnetic susceptibility increased as the substituted group size decreased (become smaller) which was apparently related to the steric hindrance around the ionic pendants. Additionally, a good correlation between the magnetic susceptibility and ferric content was found. Additional experimental and theoretical Raman analyses allowed the determination of the nature of the magnetic species constituting the materials. This strategy further offers the opportunity to tailor the magnetic response through partial ammonium salt formation. In order to merge the magnetic properties of ferric-based materials with another stimuli-responsive functionality, random copolymers containing DMAEMA (D) with diazobenzene (A) unit were prepared. So, three copolymers PDA were synthesized (with targeted D/A ratios 4/6 (PDA4), 6/4 (PDA6) and 8/2 (PDA8)). Meanwhile, different degrees of amine quaternization (10, 50 and 100 %) were applied, which led to the following polymeric salts PDAX/Y where X = 4, 6, 8 (referring to the percentage of the DMAEMA unit) and Y = 10, 50 and 100 (referring to the percentage of quaternized amine groups). Finally, the aforementioned materials were converted into magnetic polymers by anion exchange. As a result, magnetic responses correlated well with amount of iron oxide in these compounds and the amount of ionic pending groups along the backbone. Moreover, the remaining tertiary amines conferred pH sensitivity to the polymers whereas the diazobenzene units ensured light responsiveness through the well-established trans-to-cis isomerization.In order to functionalize these materials in the pharmaceutical field, an intelligent delivery system was prepared. Firstly, an attempt to formulate riboflavin-5’-phosphate sodium (RPS) loaded on PDA8 microspheres was made using double emulsion evaporation method. Meanwhile, prednisolone (PRD) microspheres were prepared using s/o/w emulsion technique. Subsequently, coating systems of cochineal red tablets were developed. These tablets were coated with polymer solution (using each of three types of copolymers: PDA8, PDA6, and PDA4) until the desired percentage of the coating was achieved (10, 15, and 20 % w/w). The cumulative release profiles of cochineal red tablets coated with PDA8, PDA6, and PDA4 showed a pH-sensitive release behavior. The release in the neutral media (pH ≈ 7.0) was very slow (less than 3 % after one hour). Then, after changing the pH to 1.2, an increase in the release of cochineal was observed. Furthermore, the cumulative release of cochineal red was at the highest value for the PDA8 and the lowest for PDA4 depending on the percentage of PDMAEMA moieties. Moreover, by increasing the percentage of the coating from (10, 15 to 20 % w/w), the cumulative release of cochineal decreased. Therefore, the copolymer PDAX can be used for controlling the release of drug by changing the pH value.Finally, the cochineal tablets coated with PDA6 (10 %) showed features of light sensitivity. The release of cochineal red from coated tablets was only due to the switching in the conformational trans/cis isomerization of azobenzene moieties upon irradiation, which was confirmed by comparing the release of coated tablets with uncoated tablets upon irradiation.<br>Doctorat en Sciences biomédicales et pharmaceutiques (Pharmacie)<br>info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

The feasibility of the injection moulding (IM) was explored for the development of novel drug delivery systems. Controlled release formulations were developed using a substituted cellulose derivative, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS) and a graft co-polymer (Soluplus®). BCS class II drugs ibuprofen and the felodipine were selected based on their physicochemical properties. In the present work, a homogenous dispersion of drugs in the polymer matrices was achieved using Hot Melt Extrusion (HME) and extruded pellets obtained were used for the development of the injection moulded systems. Four systems were developed using the IM consisting of ibuprofen-HPMCAS, ibuprofen-Soluplus®, felodipine-PEO-HPMCAS and felodipine-Soluplus®. The ibuprofen acts as a good plasticiser compared to felodipine therefore, felodipine containing IM systems required a plasticiser (PEO) when processed with HPMCAS. The analysis of extruded pellets and injection moulded systems using modulated DSC (MDSC) and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the formation of an amorphous molecular dispersion (i.e solid solution) in the case of all four systems. The phase separation behaviour and the amorphous stability of the systems was studied at various stress conditions. This revealed the “surface crystallisation” behaviour of the ibuprofen-HPMCAS systems. Temperature-composition phase diagram constructed based on the melting point depression and the Flory-Huggins lattice solution theory provided the explanation for the phase separation and crystallisation behaviour of ibuprofen-HPMCAS systems. The advanced characterisation techniques like DMA, 2D XRD and 3D laser microscopy provided the detailed understanding of crystal habits, phase seperation and surface crystallisation. The significant effect of the stress conditions on the rate of shrinkage was observed where, higher shrinkage tendency of a HPMCAS IM system was observed compared to Soluplus® IM systems. The extruded pellets provided the faster drug release compared to the moulded tablets suggests the effect of particle size as well as the densification during IM on the dissolution rate of the dosage form. The nature of the polymer and processing history were the contributing factors for the dissolution of the dosage forms.<br>The thesis is hardbound in two volumes. Volume II starts at Chapter 5, page 135.

The feasibility of the injection moulding (IM) was explored for the development of novel drug delivery systems. Controlled release formulations were developed using a substituted cellulose derivative, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS) and a graft co-polymer (Soluplus®). BCS class II drugs ibuprofen and the felodipine were selected based on their physicochemical properties. In the present work, a homogenous dispersion of drugs in the polymer matrices was achieved using Hot Melt Extrusion (HME) and extruded pellets obtained were used for the development of the injection moulded systems. Four systems were developed using the IM consisting of ibuprofen-HPMCAS, ibuprofen-Soluplus®, felodipine-PEO-HPMCAS and felodipine-Soluplus®. The ibuprofen acts as a good plasticiser compared to felodipine therefore, felodipine containing IM systems required a plasticiser (PEO) when processed with HPMCAS. The analysis of extruded pellets and injection moulded systems using modulated DSC (MDSC) and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the formation of an amorphous molecular dispersion (i.e solid solution) in the case of all four systems. The phase separation behaviour and the amorphous stability of the systems was studied at various stress conditions. This revealed the “surface crystallisation” behaviour of the ibuprofen-HPMCAS systems. Temperature-composition phase diagram constructed based on the melting point depression and the Flory-Huggins lattice solution theory provided the explanation for the phase separation and crystallisation behaviour of ibuprofen-HPMCAS systems. The advanced characterisation techniques like DMA, 2D XRD and 3D laser microscopy provided the detailed understanding of crystal habits, phase seperation and surface crystallisation. The significant effect of the stress conditions on the rate of shrinkage was observed where, higher shrinkage tendency of a HPMCAS IM system was observed compared to Soluplus® IM systems. The extruded pellets provided the faster drug release compared to the moulded tablets suggests the effect of particle size as well as the densification during IM on the dissolution rate of the dosage form. The nature of the polymer and processing history were the contributing factors for the dissolution of the dosage forms.

Osteomyelitis is an infection of bone or bone marrow, usually caused by pyogenic bacteria. It can cultivate by hematogen way or it can cultivate by the help of local soft tissue infection. Osteomyelitis often requires prolonged antibiotic therapy and surgery. But for therapy<br>antibiotic must reach to effective dose in the bone. So that<br>for prevention and treatment of osteomyelitis controlled antibiotic release systems can be used. These systems have been developed to deliver antibiotics directly to infected tissue. As a carrier material<br>polymers are widely use. Polymer can be biodegradable or non biodegradable. The advantage of biodegradable polymers is<br>you do not need a second surgery for the removal of the carrier material from the body. In this study<br>vancomycin loaded PLLA/TCP composites were developed and characterized to treat implant related chronic osteomyelitis in experimental rat osteomyelitis model. Some of the composites were prepared by coating the vancomycin loaded composites with PLLA to observe the difference between the coated and uncoated composites. Also, some composites were developed free from the vancomycin to determine the biocompatibility of the composite for the bone tissue. The coating extended the release of the vancomycin up to 5 weeks and changed the surface morphology of the composites. According to the cell culture studies, vancomycin loaded PLLA/TCP composites promoted cell adhesion, cell proliferation and mineralization so<br>the composite was biocompatible with bone tissue. Radiological and microbiological evaluations showed that vancomycin loaded and coated vancomycin loaded PLLA/TCP composites inhibited MRSA proliferation and treat implant related chronic osteomyelitis.

The use of various biodegradable polymers for the improvement of different controlled and long-lasting drug release systems is an active research area in recent years. The application of different metal prostheses, especially titanium based ones, to the human body is also very common. A most important disadvantage of these prostheses is the risk of infection at the application areas that necessitates the removing of the prosthesis with a second surgical operation and reapplication of it after recovery. One of the best ways to solve this problem is to render metal prostheses infection free with controlled and sustainable drug (antibiotic) release systems. The long term sustained release of relevant antibiotics from the various biodegradable polymer coated metal implants is studied in this thesis. Virtual fatigue analysis and drug loading capacities of titanium and stainless steel samples with different surface pattern and modifications were studied. Various biodegradable polymer and drug combinations were examined and used for coating of metal prosthesis. The aim is to design polymer-drug coated metal implants that are capable of releasing a feasible amount of drug up to a period of at least 1 month. Various coating techniques and surface modifications were also employed to improve the adhesional properties of the drug containing polymers. Their adhesion abilities on the metal substrates were tested by Lap-shear and T-peel tests. Polymer degradation kinetics was followed by viscosity studies. Calibration lines for different drugs were obtained and drug releases on different systems were followed by using UV spectroscopy and microbial antibiotic sensitivity tests. Among the techniques applied to prevent fast release of drugs initially, the coatings of Vancomycin absorbed &amp<br>#946<br>-TCP (&amp<br>#946<br>-tricalcium phosphate) homogeneously distributed in poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) solution in chloroform followed by an inert coating with poly(L-lactide) system proved to be feasible. By this technique, initial burst release was minimized and drug release from implants lasted nearly 2 months. Multiple coatings on polymer plus drug coating layer also gave promising results. In vivo studies on dorsal muscles of native rabbits with antibiotic loaded implants gave no negative effect on the surrounding tissues with high compatibility free of infection.

Implantable drug delivery is becoming an increasingly important field of research, providing great potential for a wide range of flexible and low cost solutions for localized treatment of chronically debilitating diseases. This dissertation presents work that encompasses several approaches for the remote triggering, powering, and control of micro drug delivery devices and systems, designed with remote-controllability, minimal power requirements, biocompatibility, and the potential for minimally invasive implantation in mind. The control mechanisms used rely on microtechnology, nanotechnology, and electromagnetic power transfer to magnetic nanoparticles and magnetic nanowires, for the heating and actuation of thermoresponsive Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels (PNIPAm) in the form of nanoparticles in membranes and stand-alone microdroplets, and actuation of flexible membranes for drug pumping. Thermoresponsive PNIPAm, in any form such as nanoparticles, microdroplets, or mezzo scale bulk material shapes, has the property of swelling with water in its hydrophilic state below a critical temperature. At higher temperatures, a sharp change occurs, the polymer network becomes hydrophilic, and the water molecules in the network is expelled, causing the overall material to shrink in size, while the released water or aqueous solution is left free to flow around or away from the material. When embedded in membrane matrices used as drug delivery gates, PNIPAm nanoparticles act as diffusion and flow blockers below the critical temperature. When PNIPAm surpasses the critical temperature, induced by heat from local magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (exposed to a 62 mT, 450 kHz magnetic field), it shrinks in size and increases the drug flow through membrane pathways. The combination of this membrane design with osmotic pumping and methods for tailoring the drug release profile is reported. Simulation supports experimental results while describing interactions between the osmotic pump and the thermoresponsive membranes. A sensitivity analysis based on a fluidic circuit analogy gives insight into the contributions of the components of the device, in particular those of membranes affecting the displacement of fluid. PNIPAm microdroplets, spherical microparticles larger than the PNIPAm nanoparticles discussed above, are fabricated with embedded magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles or magnetic iron nanowires and pre-loaded with an aqueous drug. Upon magnetic heating, these microdroplets shrink in size and expel the drug. Magnetic nanowires have much lower power requirements when compared with widely-used iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles for triggering PNIPAm, due to their ability to generate losses via physical vibration within the microdroplets. A model is used to corroborate the experimentally observed low power (1 mT, 20 kHz magnetic field) required to induce PNIPAm microdroplet shrinkage. This model for nanowire loaded microdroplet design is compared with the well-established theory for power generation from magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, and associated experiments (using a 72 mT, 600 kHz magnetic field) in order to confirm the validity of the calculated power generated by iron nanowires. The findings in this work offer several flexible options for the application of PNIPAm as a remotely triggerable drug delivery controller or carrier, using relatively simple fabrication methods, permitting several degrees of customization of the delivery rate or profile by adjusting the PNIPAm material, its magnetic content, and the applied magnetic field, all the while demonstrating the use of magnetic nanowires as a more efficient power transfer material when compared to traditionally used magnetic nanoparticles. The findings associated with the efficient triggering of PNIPAm microdroplets can be implemented in a more power-friendly design of magnetic, remotely triggered membranes which, although implemented in conjunction with osmotic pumps here, can be coupled with other pressure sources.<br>Applied Science, Faculty of<br>Engineering, School of (Okanagan)<br>Graduate

Cancer constitutes a terrible burden on modern society. In the United States there are an estimated 1,658,370 new cancer diagnoses resulting in 589,430 deaths in 2015 alone.[1] An estimated 41,170 of these cases will be diagnosed right here in Virginia. With new cancer patients comes the expanding demand for new treatments. As we all know, many modern chemotherapeutics cause adverse reactions to patients. This is because the toxic nature of these therapies often affects normal tissue alongside the tumors that are infesting the body. Therefore, researching novel ways to make chemotherapeutics selective for cancer, while leaving healthy tissue unscathed, is of paramount importance. There are a few ways in which we have approached cancer-specific chemotherapeutics. Through the use of light controlled toxicity and drug release and the targeting of tumor phenotypes such as overexpressed proteins and the Warburg effect, we begin to tackle the problem of non-specificity of current chemotherapeutics. Combretastatin A-4 (CA4) is highly potent anticancer drug that acts as an inhibitor of tubulin polymerization.[2, 3] The core of the CA4 structure contains a cis-stilbene, and it is known that the trans isomer is significantly less potent. We prepared an azobenzene analog of CA4 (Azo-CA4) that shows 13-35 fold enhancement in potency upon external irradiation. GI50 values in the light were in the mid nM range. Due to its ability to thermally revert to the less toxic trans form, Azo-CA4 also has the ability to automatically turn its activity off with time. Therefore, this work establishes a novel strategy for switchable potency for cancer treatment. Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) is an anthracycline type of chemotherapeutic that intercalates double-stranded DNA.[4] Although this drug has played a huge role in the treatment of cancer, its usefulness declines in cases of cancer recurrence because of the impact this drug has on the cardiovascular system. Therefore, we prepared this drug as a cell impermeable conjugate that gains penetrability through the use of external radiation.[5] Folate receptor alpha (FRα) is overexpressed in a variety of cancer cells and accepts folic acid as a natural ligand.[6] Therefore, conjugation of drugs to folic acid introduces a promising way to bring these drugs to cancer cells with greater specificity. We took this concept one step further with the introduction of a photo-labile linker, connecting doxorubicin to folic acid, which offers dual-specificity through ligand targeting and light activation. Finally, many cancer cells produce adenosine triphosphate, the energy currency of a cell, through an abnormal upregulation of glycolysis.[7] This pathway results in a larger-than-normal production of lactic acid and lowers the pH of cancer cells through a phenomenon known as the Warburg Effect. We hypothesized that through the use of L-canavanine, an L-arginine analog, we could construct short peptides that would gain cell permeability in a low pH environment. Attaching a cargo to these peptides, such as doxorubicin will ultimately allow for targeting the low pH extracellular environment of cancer cells. Through the use of these strategies we have furthered the fight against cancer. Targeting cancer by taking advantage of its phenotypes or through the use of light is vital in reducing negative side-effects of current chemotherapeutics. The novel technologies offered above bring us a step closer to side-effect free treatment of cancer patients.

Doctor of Philosophy<br>Department of Chemistry<br>Viktor Chikan<br>This thesis focuses on exploring fast and controlled drug release from several liposomal drug delivery systems including its underlying mechanics. In addition, the construction of a pulsed high-voltage rotating electromagnet is demonstrated based on a nested Helmholtz coil design. Although lots of different drug delivery mechanisms can be used, fast drug delivery is very important to utilize drug molecules that are short-lived under physiological conditions. Techniques that can release model molecules under physiological conditions could play an important role to discover the pharmacokinetics of short-lived substances in the body. In this thesis, an experimental method is developed for the fast release of the liposomes’ payload without a significant increase in (local) temperatures. This goal is achieved by using short magnetic pulses to disrupt the lipid bilayer of liposomes loaded with magnetic nanoparticles. This thesis also demonstrates that pulsed magnetic fields can generate ultrasound from colloidal superparamagnetic nanoparticles. Generating ultrasound remotely by means of magnetic fields is an important technological development to circumvent some of the drawbacks of the traditional means of ultrasound generation techniques. In this thesis, it is demonstrated that ultrasound is generated from colloidal superparamagnetic nanoparticles when exposed to pulsed and alternating magnetic fields. Furthermore, a comparison between inhomogeneous and homogeneous magnetic fields indicates that both homogeneous and inhomogeneous magnetic fields could be important for efficient ultrasound generation; however, the latter is more important for dilute colloidal dispersion of magnetic nanoparticles. In strong magnetic fields, the ultrasound generated from the colloidal magnetic nanoparticles shows reasonable agreement with the magnetostriction effect commonly observed for bulk ferromagnetic materials. At low magnetic fields, the colloidal magnetic nanoparticle dispersion produces considerable amount of ultrasound when exposed to a.c. magnetic fields in the 20−5000 kHz frequency range. It is expected that the ultrasound generated from magnetic nanoparticles will have applications toward the acoustic induction of bioeffects in cells and manipulating the permeability of biological membranes

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2005.<br>Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xxii, 220 p.; also includes graphics (some col.). Includes bibliographical references (p. 202-220). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center.

Stable single-unit recordings from the nervous system using microelectrode arrays can have significant implications for the treatment of a wide variety of sensory and movement disorders. However, the long-term performance of the implanted neural electrodes is compromised by the formation of glial scar around these devices, which is a typical consequence of the inflammatory tissue reaction to implantation-induced injury in the CNS. The glial scar is inhibitory to neurons and forms a barrier between the electrode and neurons in the surrounding brain tissue. Therefore, to maintain long-term recording stability, reactive gliosis and other inflammatory processes around the electrode need to be minimized. This work has succeeded in the development of neural electrode coatings that are capable of sustained release of anti-inflammatory agents while not adversely affecting the electrical performance of the electrodes. The effects of coating methods, initial drug loadings on release kinetics were investigated to optimize the coatings. The physical properties of the coatings and the bioactivity of released anti-inflammatory agents were characterized. The effect of the coatings on the electrical property of the electrodes was tested. Two candidate anti-inflammatory agents were screened by evaluating their anti-inflammatory potency in vitro. Finally, neural electrodes coated with the anti-inflammatory coatings were implanted into rat brains to assess the anti-inflammatory potential of the coatings in vivo. This work represents a promising approach to attenuate astroglial scar around the implanted silicon neural electrodes, and may provide a promising strategy to improve the long-term recording stability of silicon neural electrodes.

Polyelectrolyte microcapsules were first established in 1998 as a potential drug delivery vehicle. Despite being well-established, microcapsules have not yet been thoroughly considered as a viable means of targeted drug delivery. This is largely due to the fact that microcapsules are inherently prone to unspecific binding to cells and proteins. Targeted delivery of drugs to specific diseased sites in the body is an area of research that has attracted many studies, particularly in drug deliveries that utilise microparticles. By achieving targeted delivery of a drug, one can increase the efficacy of the treatment, thus, reducing unwanted side effects. This thesis investigates methods which can modify these microcapsules in order to fine tune the release of the encapsulated drug as well as site-specific delivery of these vesicles i.e. obtain spatiotemporal control. To this end, biodegradable microcapsules of varying constituents are manufactured and their biodegradability is indirectly measured through quantification of the release of an encapsulated fluorescent protein (Rhodamine B-BSA). Fluorometry analysis of the supernatants of these microcapsule suspensions indicated that microcapsules synthesised from poly-L-arginine and poly-L-glutamic acid have the ability to encapsulate bovine serum albumin (BSA) with a high encapsulation efficiency (79.7%). Furthermore, they are able to produce a sustained release of BSA over a period of 5 Days. To complement this controlled-release study, an investigation into self-degradable microcapsules was undertaken. To achieve this, proteinase was encapsulated in both biodegradable and non-biodegradable microcapsules of different thickness. Analysis of the protein release over a period of 24 hours revealed that the release profiles of these microcapsules can be successfully controlled. Biodegradable microcapsules released 87% more protein than their non-biodegradable counterpart after 2 hours of incubation in deionised water. This provides conclusive evidence that the biodegradable microcapsules were, indeed, self-degradable. The latter part of this thesis focuses on achieving specific and exclusive targeted delivery using polyelectrolyte microcapsules, with respect to protein substrates. This is accomplished by creating an antibody-functionalised poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) assembly within the microcapsule structure. Site-specific adsorption of these microcapsules is tested using protein micropatterns. Results obtained from adsorption assays using anti-collagen type IV-functionalised microcapsules show a 600-fold increase in binding to collagen type IV islands, compared to control proteins (fibronectin and BSA). This proves that significant adsorption was achieved on the target protein, with unspecific adsorptions being heavily suppressed on control proteins. Furthermore, similar results were found when microcapsules were functionalised with anti-fibronectin and exposed to fibronectin, highlighting the versatility of this type of biofunctionalisation.

Delivery of drugs to the posterior segment of the eye is notoriously difficult and unfortunately many chronic conditions of the posterior segment often lead to sight-loss if not treated effectively. Current methods of delivery such as topical drops result in poor bioavailability at the back of the eye, while the blood brain retina imposes restrictions on the entry on drugs into the eye delivered by the systemic system. The gold-standard method for delivery of therapeutic concentrations of drugs is intravitreal delivery, which involves an injection into the vitreous cavity. Although this provides therapeutic levels of drugs, numerous injections are required to maintain these concentrations, and the frequency of injection can cause various adverse effects such as retinal detachment, vitreous haemorrhage and endophthalmitis. The present study investigates the potential use of solvent-induced in situ forming implants (ISFI) as a method of delivering drugs in a prolonged manner to the posterior segment of the eye. These systems are composed of a water-insoluble polymer dissolved in an organic solvent. Their low viscosity allows for easy administration through small-bore needles (e.g. 27 gauge) and on contact with an aqueous environment, such as the vitreous humour, phase inversion through solvent exchange takes place resulting in a biodegradable polymeric implant that can release drugs for an extended period. . As another method to improve posterior drug delivery in a minimally-invasive manner, microneedles (MN) were used to inject small amounts of ISFI formulation into sclera. Drug release and permeation stUdies across sclera indicated that the use of MN did indeed improve scleral permeation, with potential to allow posterior drug delivery from an intrascleral depot. From investigations carried out in the present study, ISFI show promise in transforming drug delivery to the eye and therefore possibly preventing the loss of sight in numerous individuals.