ABSTRACT
@#Introduction: Anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (anti-VEGF) intravitreal injection is one of the popular procedures for medical retina diseases. However, the incidence of angle-closure post intravitreal injection was reported. Several similar studies were conducted previously, but the results were inconsistent and mostly focused on bevacizumab. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted. After informed consent, patients who were more than 17 years old and received the first intravitreal anti-VEGF injections (ranibizumab or aflibercept) were recruited. Exclusion criteria included patients with underlying glaucoma, ocular hypertension, intumescence cataract, high refractive error or those with history of intraocular operation or ocular trauma. Pre- and post-injection’s intraocular pressure (IOP) and ocular biometry included “central anterior chamber depth” (CACD), “angle opening distance” (AOD500), and “trabeculo-iris angle” (TIA500) at nasal and temporal 500 µm away the scleral spur were acquired and analyzed. Results: 72 eyes from 66 patients were studied. Mean (SD) increment of IOP following injection within 30 minutes and 1 hour were 6.16 (0.68) mmHg (p<0.001) and 1.26 (0.35) mmHg (p=0.002) respectively. Mean (SD) differences of temporal TIA500 between pre with within 30 minutes and 1-hour post-injection were 1.66 (0.66) degrees (p=0.04) and 1.45 (0.57) degrees (p=0.04) respectively. No significant relationship between the changes of IOP and ocular biometry was found. Conclusion: A single dose of anti-VEGF in a normal population is relatively safe. However, concern on the risk of glaucoma progression and acute angle-closure still needs to be addressed. Further studies on at-risk populations and repeated injections are useful.
ABSTRACT
The investigation was aimed at designing pH-sensitive, polymeric nanoparticles of curcumin, a natural anti-cancer agent, for the treatment of colon cancer. The objective was to enhance the bioavailability of curcumin, simultaneously reducing the required dose through selective targeting to colon. Eudragit S100 was chosen to aid targeting since the polymer dissolves at colonic pH to result in selective colonic release of the entrapped drug. Solvent emulsion-evaporation technique was employed to formulate the nanoparticles. Various process parameters were optimized and the optimized formulation was evaluated for particle size distribution and encapsulation efficiency before subjecting to freeze-drying. The freeze dried product was characterized for particle size, drug content, DSC studies, particle morphology. Anti-cancer potential of the formulation was demonstrated by MTT assay in HT-29 cell line. Nanometric, homogeneous, spherical particles were obtained with encapsulation efficiency of 72%. Freeze-dried nanoparticles exhibited a negative surface charge, drug content of > 99% and presence of drug in amorphous form which may result in possible enhanced absorption. MTT assay demonstrated almost double inhibition of the cancerous cells by nanoparticles, as compared to curcumin alone, at the concentrations tested. Enhanced action may be attributed to size influenced improved cellular uptake, and may result in reduction of overall dose requirement. Results indicate the potential for in vivo studies to establish the clinical application of the formulation.
