Preparation and evaluation of poly [caprolactone fumarate] nanoparticles containing doxorubicin HCl

Biodegradable Poly[caprolactone fumarate] [PCLF] has been used as bioresorbable sutures. In this study, doxorubicin HCl [Dox] loaded PCLF nanoparticles were prepared and characterized. PCLFs were synthesized by polycondensation of PCL diols [Mws of 530, 1250 and 2000] with fumaryl chloride. The degradation of PCLF in NaOH, water and phosphate buffer saline [PBS], was determined in terms of Mw. Nanoparticles [NPs] were prepared by two methods. In microemulsion polymerization method, dichloromethane containing PCLF and photoinitiator were combined with the water containing surfactants and then the mixture was placed under light for crosslinking. In nanoprecipitation method, the organic solvent containing PCLF was poured into the stirring water. The effect of several variables including concentration of PCLF, polyvinyl alcohol [PVA], Dox and Trypan blue [Trb] and the Mw of PCLF and PVA on NP size and loading were evaluated. PCLF 530, 1250 and 2000 in PBS or water were not degraded over 28 days. Nanoprecipitaion method gave spherical [revealed by SEM images] stable NPs of about 225 with narrow size distribution and a zeta potential of-43 mV. The size of NP increased significantly by increase in Mw or concentration of PCLF. Although PVA was not necessary for formation of NPs, but it decreased the NP size. Dox loading and EE were 2.5-6.8% and 15-20%, respectively. Increasing the drug concentration, increased the drug loading [DL] and NP size. The entrapment efficiency [EE] for Trb ranged from 1% for PCLF530 to 6% for PCLF2000. An increase in PCLF concentration resulted in an increase in EE. Dox and Trb release showed a burst followed by 80% and 78% release during 3 and 4 days respectively. PCLF possessed suitable characteristics for preparation nanoparticulate drug delivery system including desired NP size, stability and degradation time. Although PCLF530 NPs were the smallest, but their DL were lower than PCLF1250 and 2000 NPs

Predicting serum gastrin levels among men during Ramadan fasting

Increased gastric acidity is common when fasting during Ramadan. Our study aimed to develop a regression equation to predict fasting serum gastrin levels using parameters commonly analysed in clinical laboratories. Fasting blood samples from six men were taken on days 1, 10, 19, 26 and 28 of Ramadan. Serum gastrin, total cholesterol, urea and uric acid were analysed. All 5 samples from each man were included in multiple regression analysis and the prediction equation obtained was: serum gastrin, pg/mL = 198.27-0.199 total cholesterol [mg/dL] + 2.525 urea [mg/dL]--103.238 uric acid [mg/dL] + 10.923 uric acid [mg/dL]2 + 3.683 body mass index, r2 = 0.75, P < 0.001. This equation might be used to estimate gastrin levels and plan dietary and medicinal measures to avoid high gastric acidity during Ramadan

Improved serum HDL cholesterol profile among Bangladeshi male students during Ramadan fasting

Effects of Ramadan fasting on serum lipids of 20 healthy males in Bangladesh were assessed. Anthropometric parameters and blood lipids were measured 1 day before Ramadan, day 26 of Ramadan and 1 month after Ramadan. Body weight and body mass index decreased significantly during Ramadan compared with before and after Ramadan. Fat intake was significantly higher during Ramadan than after. High-density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol increased significantly during Ramadan. Other lipids were not significantly different. Regression analysis of Ramadan HDL cholesterol levels indicated positive association with pulse rate and fat intake and negative association with systolic blood pressure and weight loss. The findings indicate improved HDL cholesterol profiles during Ramadan