• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.42-49
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• 1987

This study is to evaluate the potential use of aclarubicin-loaded gelatin microspheres as an intravascular biodegradable drug delivery system for the regional cancer therapy. The diameter of the microspheres prepared by water in oil emulsion polymerization could be controlled by adjusting the stirring rate in the range of 10-50 $\mu$m : D(in $\mu$m) = -73.8 log (rpm) + 262.7. The addition of proteolytic enzyme increased the in vitro aclarubicin release but it did not change the amount of the initial burst release which reached about 45%. Microspheres injected intravenously into the mouse tail vein embolized only to the lung when observed by fluorescence microscopy. From histological examination following injection of gelatin microspheres into mouse femoral muscle, mild inflammation was observed from the appearance of neutrophils after 2 days and rapid repair process was confirmed thereafter. Biodegradation process of gelatin microspheres lodged on the pulmonary capillary bed was followed up by microscopic observation; degradation was taking place by about 36 hrs, followed by severe damage on the spheerical shape and microspheres was no longer found 10 days after injection.