ISSN:
0006-3525
Keywords:
biovector
;
light scattering
;
lipid
;
microgel
;
polysaccharide
;
soft sphere
;
Chemistry
;
Polymer and Materials Science
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
The structure of a new supramolecular drug carrier (named Biovectors - BV) was studied using light scattering and scanning electronic microscopy techniques. This system consists of a polysaccharide core of chemically cross-linked maltodextrins to which phospholipids (and, in some cases, cholesterol) are added. Both polysaccharide cores and BV cross-linked with phosphate (negatively charged) and epichlorhydrin (no net charge) are spherical particles. The increase in the ionic strength of the medium increases the density of the charged polysaccharide cores. The lipid strongly interacts with neutral and negatively charged cores, decreasing both intra- and interparticle interactions. The results (mainly, ρ = Rg/Rh 〈 0.775 in some cases) suggest that BV are gel-like particles of variable density, referred to as microgels or soft spheres. Neutral polysaccharides have a strong tendency to self-aggregate. This self-aggregation of polysaccharide neutral cores is prevented by the addition of lipid or dimethylsulfoxide. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biopoly 41: 511-520, 1997
Additional Material:
5 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
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