Effect of glutaraldehyde on biological characterstics of vincristine-loaded intact human erythrocytes / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the optimal method and condition for controlling release of vincristine (VCR) from VCR-loaded erythrocytes and enhancing the stability of carrier erythrocytes. Methods Erythrocytes were loaded into human erythrocytes using the modified hypotonic pre-swelling and isotonic resealing technique, and then with VCR, and they were treated with glutaraldehyde in concentration of 0.16% and 0.25% respectively. After storing at 4℃ for indicated time, the amount of VCR was determined with HPLC to compare their drug-release rate, and the degree of hemolysis in the supernatants was observed to compare the fragility of VCR-loaded erythrocytes treated with 0.16% glutaraldehyde with that with 0.25%, VCR-loaded erythrocytes treated with PBS, and VCR-loaded erythrocytes exposed to different hypotonic sodium chloride in different concentrations. Results The VCR-accumulated release rate increased in glutaraldehyde-treated VCR-loaded erythrocytes as well as untreated group during preservation. The VCR-accumulated release rate of 0.25% glutaraldehyde-treated group decreased by 71.67?4.20%, which was significantly slower than untreated VCR-loaded erythrocytes and 0.16% glutaraldehyde-treated group. After storing at 4℃ for 21 days, no significant changes at erythrocyte morphology was found in VCR-loaded erythrocytes treated with 0.25% glutaraldehyde, whereas untreated VCR-loaded erythrocytes and those treated with 0.16% glutaraldehyde can be stored only for 5d and 7.5d respectively. As compared to un-treated VCR-loaded erythrocytes, no significant change of osmotic fragility was seen in 0.25% glutaraldehyde-treated group, but significant increase in osmotic fragility was seen in 0.16% glutaraldehyde-treated group. Conclusion 0.25% glutaraldehyde could optimally block the membrane of VCR-loaded human erythrocytes and enhance their stability.