RESUMO
In the present work, we propose the development of a novel carrier that does not need organic solvents for its preparation and with the potential for the intravenous delivery of lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs. Named lipomics, this is a mixed colloid of micelles incorporated within a liposome. This system was designed through ternary diagrams and characterized by physicochemical techniques to determine the particle size, zeta potential, shape, morphology, and stability properties. The lipomics were subjected to electron microscopy (SEM, TEM, and STEM) to evaluate their physical size and morphology. Finally, pharmacokinetic studies were performed by radiolabeling the lipomics with Technetium-99m chelated with BMEDA to evaluate the in vivo biodistribution through techniques of molecular imaging (microSPECT/CT) in rats. Radiolabeling efficiency was used to compare the encapsulation efficiency of the hydrophilic and lipophilic molecules in lipomics and liposomes. According to the results, lipomics are potentially carriers of lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs.
RESUMO
Spinal cord injury (SCI) refers to the damage suffered in the spinal cord by any trauma or pathology. The purpose of this work was to determine whether 99mTc-GA-5, a radiotracer targeting Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP), can reveal in vivo the reactivation of astrocytes in a murine model with SCI. A method for the 99mTc radiolabeling of the mouse anti-GFAP monoclonal antibody GA-5 was implemented. Radiochemical characterization was performed, and radioimmunohistochemistry assays were used to evaluate the integrity of 99mTc-GA-5. MicroSPECT/CT was used for in vivo imaging to trace SCI in the rats. No alterations in the GA-5's recognition/specificity ability were observed after the radiolabeling. The GA-5's radiolabeling procedure implemented in this work offers a practical method to allow the in vivo following of this monoclonal antibody to evaluate its biodistribution and specificity for GFAP receptors using SPECT/CT molecular imaging.