Electroporation of red blood cell membrane and its use as a drug carrier system.

Application of external electric field to cell suspension maintained at ice temperature induces pores in the cell membrane. At this stage, a drug added to the cell suspension equilibrates across the membrane. On raising the temperature to 37 degrees C, the pores appear to be sealed as the drug is retained in the cells. This method was used for encapsulation of Co-57 labelled cynocobalamin in rabbit erythrocytes. It was seen from the in vivo biokinetic study of the drug-loaded erythrocytes that the rate of elimination of the drug was considerably reduced as compared to that of the free drug, indicating that drug delivery by electroencapsulation can give a sustained release of the drug.