ABSTRACT
Utilization of curcumin has been limited due to its poor oral bioavailability. Oral bioavailability of hydrophobic compounds might be elevated via encapsulation in artificial seed oil bodies. This study aimed to improve oral bioavailability of curcumin via this encapsulation. Unfortunately, curcumin was indissoluble in various seed oils. A mixed dissolvent formula was used to dissolve curcumin, and the admixture was successfully encapsulated in artificial oil bodies stabilized by recombinant sesame caleosin. The artificial oil bodies of relatively small sizes (150 nm) were stably solidified in the forms of powder and tablet. Oral bioavailability of curcumin with or without encapsulation in artificial oil bodies was assessed in Sprague-Dawley male rats. The results showed that encapsulation of curcumin significantly elevated its bioavailability and provided the highest maximum whole blood concentration (Cmax), 37 ± 28 ng/mL, in the experimental animals 45 ± 17 min (t(max)) after oral administration. Relative bioavailability calculated on the basis of the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) was increased by 47.7 times when curcumin was encapsulated in the artificial oil bodies. This novel formulation of artificial oil bodies seems to possess great potential to encapsulate hydrophobic drugs for oral administration.
Subject(s)
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical , Curcumin/pharmacokinetics , Administration, Oral , Animals , Biological Availability , Calcium-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Curcumin/administration & dosage , Male , Particle Size , Plant Proteins/metabolism , Powders/administration & dosage , Powders/chemistry , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Recombinant Proteins/metabolism , Sesame Oil/chemistry , Tablets/administration & dosage , Tablets/chemistryABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Oil bodies isolated from sesame seeds coalesced to form large oil drops when they were solidified in a drying process commonly used for food products. The aim of this study was to develop a protocol to solidify oil bodies for long-term storage at room temperature. RESULTS: On the basis of testing several excipients, the coalescence of oil bodies could be effectively prevented when they were combined with mannitol. Sizes of oil bodies appeared similar under a light microscope before and after powderisation in combination with 70% or more mannitol. Artificial oil bodies were successfully generated with sesame oil, phospholipid and recombinant sesame caleosin. Following the developed protocol, native and artificial oil bodies were stably solidified in tablets. Both native and artificial oil bodies dissolved from the tablets remained stable after an accelerated stress test under a condition of 75% humidity at 40 °C for 4 months. CONCLUSION: A protocol was successfully developed for the solidification of native and artificial oil bodies in stable powder and tablet forms. This successful protocol is very likely to expedite the utilisation of artificial oil bodies in their potential applications.
Subject(s)
Calcium-Binding Proteins/chemistry , Chemistry, Pharmaceutical , Desiccation , Oils/chemistry , Phospholipids/chemistry , Plant Proteins/chemistry , Sesame Oil/chemistry , Sesamum/chemistry , Drug Stability , Drug Storage , Mannitol/chemistry , Microscopy , Oils/chemical synthesis , Powders/chemistry , Tablets/chemistry , TemperatureABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the methylation status of 5' CpG island of fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene in plasma and the expression of FHIT protein in cancer tissue of cervical cancer patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Methylation-specific PCR (MS-PCR) was employed to examine methylation of FHIT gene in 151 plasma samples before treatment. The immunohistochemistry was used to the expression of FHIT protein in cancer tissues.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>CpG island methylation of FHIT was detected in 31.13% of plasma samples. The expression of FHIT protein was decreased or discarded in 59.60% of cervical cancer tissues. Among them 47.78% was included in methylation positive samples.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CpG island methylation of FHIT gene in plasma plays an important role on cervical cancer, which results in decreased expression of FHIT protein. It can be used to diagnose and evaluate the effect of treatment to cervical cancers.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Acid Anhydride Hydrolases , Blood , Genetics , Metabolism , DNA Methylation , Immunohistochemistry , Neoplasm Proteins , Blood , Genetics , Metabolism , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms , Blood , Genetics , MetabolismABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To isolate fetal DNA from maternal plasma and examine its fetal origin.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fetal DNA in maternal plasma was isolated from 150 samples in the first trimester and mid-trimester of pregnancy, respectively. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction PCR (FQ-PCR) was used to determine sex-determining region Y (SRY) gene on Y chromosome.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Eighty-two women in the first trimester and 90 women in the mid-trimester carried male fetuses,70 and 90 samples of them were positive, respectively. The mean concentrations were (58.82+/-20.90) copies/ml and (152.08+/-62.61) copies/ml. The results of FQ-PCR were negative in the women who carried female fetuses.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results show that fetal SRY gene can be found at a time as early as 42 days of gestation in maternal plasma by the use of FQ-PCR. The number of fetal DNA increases with gestational age. The real-time FQ-PCR is of great value in the non-invasive prenatal diagnosis.</p>
