• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.487-494
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• 1995

Solid lipid microspheres (SLMs) were prepared using various lipids and solidifying agents, in order to enhance the gastrointestinal absorption of Cyclosporine A (Cs A) which is a practically water-insoluble drug with low systemic bioavailability. Egg lecithin and HCO-60 (polyoxyethylated 60 mol, hydrogenated castor oil) were used as lipids. Stearic acid and stearyl alcohol were used as solidifying agents. Emulsion concentrates containing Cs A were prepared by mixing the melted lipid and solidifying agent with water, employing bile salts as a cosurfactant. SLMs were obtained by dispersing the warm emulsion concentrate in cold distilled water under mechanical stirring, followed by freeze drying. Physical characteristics of each SLM were investigated by particle size analysis, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Mean particle size of SLMs was in the range of 30 to 40.mu.m. The SLMs were in good appearance with spherical shape before freeze drying, but were deformed partially after freeze drying. Drug loading efficiencies of SLMs were observed as high as 80 to 90% in average. The systemic bioavailability of Cs A from different SLM formula was investigated in rats following oral administration. Cs A in whole blood was extracted and assayed by HPLC. SLMs revealed the higher bioavailabilities than the standard formula based on the marketed product. SLMs might have several advantages over standard formula for enhanced gastrointestinal absorption, controlled release properties, high loading capacity of the water-insoluble drug, and feasibility of solid dosage forms with better stability in storage.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.360-365
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• 2000

We experienced a case of cerebral hypoperfusion due to cyclosporine neurotoxocity confirmed only by Tc-99m ECD brain SPECT. A 53-year-old female had received allogenic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation due to refractory plasmacytoid lymphoma. Cyclosporine and steroid had been administrated to prevent graft versus host disease. Twenty days after transplantation, she became delirious and suffered from generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Immediately, brain MRI and MR angiography were performed and these studies did not show any abnormal findings. However, Tc-99m ECD brain SPECT showed diffuse hypoperfusion in the left cerebral hemisphere and blood cyclosporine level was 962.6 ng/ml. Cyclosporine administration was stopped and discontinuation of cyclosporine resulted in disappearance of all neurological symptoms. The same neurological symptoms recurred with cyclosporine re-administration for management of exacerbated graft versus host disease. In this case, Tc-99m ECD brain SPECT proved very helpful in the diagnosis of cycloporine neurotoxicity.