Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To prepare nanoparticles containing vancomycin as an active ingredient, and to characterize them by investigating their size, particles drug loading, and stability. Particles size must be compatible with intraocular application. To guarantee at least 24 hours of continuous release of vancomycin, needed in endophthalmitis prophylaxis after cataract surgery (Kodjikian et al, "In vitro influence of vancomycin on adhesion of a Staphylococcus epidermidis strain encoding ica locus to intraocular lenses", Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery 2004, in press). Methods: Poly (lactide–co–glycolide) nanoparticles were prepared using the double emulsion (water–in–oil–in–water) solvent extraction/evaporation method. The preparation method was fixed by using an experimental design to determine the optimum fabrication conditions. Particle sizes were investigated using laser granulometry. Drug loading was calculated by taking into account the free vancomycin and total vancomycin measures after breaking the particles using ultrasounds. Measurements were performed using a High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) technique. Stability was investigated by comparing the microscopic aspect (Scanning Electron Microscopy), the Zeta potential and the granulometric distribution of the particles over 14 days. Vancomycin continuous release profile was determined using HPLC dosage method, over 14 days. Results: Satisfying drug loading and size were obtained, based on the experimental design results. Stability was good over 14 days, according to the controlled parameters. Particle sizes and the continuous release study demonstrate that the fabricated nanoparticles are suitable for the use in prophylactic ophthalmology after cataract surgery. Conclusions: A successful method for vancomycin–based nanoparticles was investigated. Further in vitro and in vivo experiments are going to be conducted to assess efficiency of the entrapped antibacterial and then validate its potential usefulness in prophylaxis.
Keywords: endophthalmitis • antibiotics/antifungals/antiparasitics • bacterial disease