We studied the influence of the type and structure of polyethyleneimine on bioavailability and expression of plasmid DNA carrying IGF-1 gene. Polymers with different molecular weights (2.5, 10, 25, and 60 kDa) of linear and branching structure were studied. It was found that the time of polyplex circulation in the blood did not exceed 24 h and the maximum concentration of plasmid DNA was attained with complexes with a molecular weight of 60 kDa. Analysis of liver samples showed that administration of 60-kDa branched polyethyleneimine complex provides DNA protection from degradation for 4 h; in 24 h from the start of the experiment, its concentration was significantly higher than the concentration of other studied polyethyleneimines. The expression of plasmid IGF-1 DNA for this complex attained maximum in 4 h and was equal to 15.50 (7.98; 21.98) arb. units/ml. These results allow us to recommend using polyethyleneimines with branched structure and a molecular weight of 60 kDa for improving plasmid DNA protection and bioavailability.

We compared samples of microencapsulated naloxone prepared by using spray drying technique. 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, sodium alginate, polycaprolactone, and carboxymethyl cellulose were used as the carriers. It was found that the combination of naloxone with sodium alginate was characterized by the highest naloxone content in the matrix and the lowest release rate (100% release time was 60 min). Using the model of respiratory disturbances caused by 10 ED fentanyl (anesthetic effect), we studied the effects of naloxone-sodium alginate complex on the dynamics of CO concentration in the expired air. It was shown that treatment with the developed microencapsulated naloxone after fentanyl injection allowed reducing the therapeutic dose of the antagonist by more than 2 times and eliminated the necessity of repeated injections.

We compared the efficiency of delivery of plasmid DNA (active ingredient concentration 1 mg/kg) that provides production of nerve growth factor (NGF) after intravenous administration to rats and after administration by hydroporation. The method of hydroporation ensured plasmid penetration into the liver tissue and lengthened the time of its detection in the organ. DNA concentration in 1 h after its introduction by hydroporation or intravenous route was 0.7 and 0.05 ng/mg tissue, respectively. The use of this transfection method ensured preservation of NGF DNA in the liver tissue at a level of 0.24 ng/mg of tissue 1 day after administration of the plasmid construct, while after intravenous administration, expression of the analyzed DNA was not detected in blood and liver samples. After hydroporation, the maximum of relative normalized expression of cDNA (270 rel. units) was observed after 4 h, and after 1 day, this parameter decreased to 35 rel. units. Introduction of plasmid DNA of NGF by hydroporation prevented the development of disorders of neuromuscular conduction in a rats model of toxic neuropathy induced by subacute administration of malathion in a dose of 0.5 LD.

Oral drug delivery is a dynamic research area, yet associated with multiple issues in its using: enzymatic degradation, hydrolysis, low permeability of intestinal epithelium. The review presents a research papers analysis on the development of targeted drug delivery using a biodegradable polymer chitosan. Chitosan application, singly or in composites, is suitable for various drug delivery systems. Upon oral delivery, chitosan serves as a mucoadhesive polymer with controlled and targeted release. During the last five years, various approaches to the delivery of insulin and other drugs had been reported in literature. The main technological strategy for insulin delivery was its protection against intestinal pH, as well as increasing of permeability via transcellular and/or paracellular pathways. It is observed that application of the biopolymer and its derivatives has a controlled absorption profile. In publications on the drugs delivery, most of the research is focused on development and modification of methods for their producing. According to the presented experimental data, there were obtained particles with well-defined spherical shapes and microparticles capacity of 85-97%. A number of research articles provide data on the chitosan application as a mucoadhesive coating for various nano- or microparticles. It was also noted that application of chitosan microparticles contributed to diminishing adverse side effects.

The effect of different concentrations of cryoprotector (sucrose) on the efficiency of fenoterol inclusion in the lipid matrix during lyophilization has been studied. It has been shown that the liposomal form with the content of cryoprotector in the internal environment of liposomes 2.5 % and in the external environment equal to 2 % provides long-term preservation of the drug in the liposome cavity. Under these conditions, it is possible to achieve a monodisperse distribution of particles with an average diameter of 4.281.62 m. The assumed quantitative composition of the cryoprotector ensures the manufacturability of the liposome production process, increases the stability of the lyophilizate structure and prevents the particles from sticking together, ensuring their uniformity. The profile of two-stage release of fenoterol from the liposomal form has been shown in vitro. The first stage of rapid release was characterized by a transition to free form within 15 minutes to 42 % of the encapsulated fenoterol. At the second stage, the active principle was released more slowly for 480 minutes. The model of bronchospasm induced by 1% histamine has shown the advantage of the liposomal form of fenoterol in comparison with its free form in the form of an aqueous solution. Intra-tracheal administration of the liposomal form of fenoterol at a dose of 17 ukg/kg provided for 360 minutes the preservation of external respiratory function at the level of initial values, despite histamine inhalation, while the duration of action of fenoterol did not exceed 120 minutes.