Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / The low solubility of griseofulvin in water (1.4 and 1.95 mg/dL at 25 and 37 ÂC, respectively) is a limiting factor for its administration. Despite of this, micellar solutions prepared with copolymers are being used to increase the solubility of these drugs. In addition, these mixtures of surfactants have low toxicity, are efficient in the dilution process and present high potential as carriers of insoluble drugs. These factors are the main reason for the interest in the research of these copolymers. This project proposes the investigation of the use of copolymers P123 (E21P67E21), E45S8 (denominated S8) and E45S17 (denominated S17) and their mixtures to obtain higher solubility of the drug griseofulvin through the method of direct dilution. The project also aims to investigate of the potential of these systems as a drug carrier model for griseofulvin through the study of cytotoxicity of these carriers through human neutrophil, the study of the gelation properties of the two diblocks S8 and S17 and its mixtures with triblock P123 in the proportion of 50/50 and 30/70. To determine the critical micelle concentration (cmc) the method of dye solubilisation was used to measure the fluorescence. The solubility of the drug griseofulvin in the micellar systems was quantified by UV-Vis spectrophotometer and by 1H NMR. The systems with pure S17 and with encapsulated griseofulvin were characterised by infrared spectroscopy and through x-ray diffraction. Experiments of drug release in vitro were carried out with the best encapsulating systems or carriers. The copolymers S8 and S17 and their mixtures with the P123 showed to be promising for the administration of hydrophobic drugs as they presented low toxicity and excellent values for solubilisation capacity (Scp). The mixtures P50/S8 and P50/S17 at 37 oC were the ones that presented the best results of Scp with equally low values of cmc, therefore showing the efficiency of these micellar systems as carriers of the drug griseofulvin. / A baixa solubilidade da griseofulvina em meio aquoso (1,4 e 1,95 mg/dL a 25 e 37 ÂC, respectivamente) Ã fator limitante para sua administraÃÃo. No entanto, soluÃÃes micelares preparadas com copolÃmeros vÃm sendo utilizadas para aumentar a solubilidade desses fÃrmacos. AlÃm disso, essas misturas de copolÃmeros apresentam baixa toxicidade, eficiÃncia no processo de dissoluÃÃo como tambÃm apresentam elevado potencial como nanocarreadores de fÃrmacos poucos solÃveis, sendo estes fatores determinantes para despertar interesse nas pesquisas com copolÃmeros. Esse trabalho propÃe investigar o uso dos copolÃmeros P123 (E21P67E21), E45S8 (denominado S8) e E45S17 (denominado S17) e suas misturas para serem utilizados como carreadores do fÃrmaco modelo griseofulvina, desenvolvendo estudos de liberaÃÃo, solubilizaÃÃo e citotoxicidade em neutrÃfilo humano, com o objetivo de se obter capacidades mais elevadas de solubilizaÃÃo do fÃrmaco griseofulvina. Utilizou-se a tÃcnica de inversÃo de tubo para o estudo das propriedades geleificantes dos diblocos S8 e S17 e suas misturas com o tribloco P123 nas proporÃÃes 50/50 e 30/70. A mistura P50/S8 foi a que melhor conservou as propriedades termorresponsivas do P123. Os sistemas com o S17 puro e com a griseofulvina encapsulada foram caracterizados por tÃcnicas de espectroscopia de absorÃÃo na regiÃo do infravermelho (FT-IR) e por difraÃÃo de raios-X. Os resultados de FT-IR nÃo apresentaram mudanÃas significativas para S17 e ele encapsulado com a griseofulvina. Entretanto, os resultados de raios-x confirmaram que o fÃrmaco encontra-se encapsulado no sistema polimÃrico na forma amorfa. Experimentos de liberaÃÃo in vitro foram realizados para os melhores sistemas encapsulantes ou carreadores. A mistura P50/S17 foi a que apresentou maior porcentagem de liberaÃÃo do fÃrmaco que foi de 48%. A citotoxicidade foi investigada atravÃs da atividade da LDH em neutrÃfilo humano (5 x 106 cÃlulas/mL). Em geral, os copolÃmeros nÃo mostraram citotoxicidade. A solubilidade do fÃrmaco griseofulvina nos sistemas micelares foi quantificada por espectrofotometria UV-Vis e por RMN de 1H. Para a determinaÃÃo da concentraÃÃo micelar crÃtica (cmc) utilizou-se o mÃtodo de solubilizaÃÃo de corante medida por fluorescÃncia. As misturas P50/S8 e P50/S17 a 37 ÂC foram as que apresentaram melhores resultados de Scp como tambÃm baixos valores de cmc, mostrando, portanto, a eficiÃncia desses sistemas micelares como carreadores do fÃrmaco griseofulvina.

Recentemente, utilizando a técnica de auto-agregação (\"self-assembly\") foi possível visualizar a possibilidade de se obterem estruturas de tamanhos nanométricos de maneira rápida, em poucas etapas sintéticas e por meio de simples atrações físicas entre as macrocadeias, simulando as interações dos peptídeos nas proteínas. A principal característica desta técnica baseia-se na estrutura química dos polímeros sintéticos que permite o processo de autoagregação somente com interações físicas entre as macrocadeias (sem ligações covalentes). Por meio desta técnica é possível obter, com eficiência e rapidez, estruturas nanométricas que seriam de difícil obtenção por técnicas convencionais.O objetivo principal desta tese foi estudar uma rota química para a síntese de copolímeros em bloco anfifílicos e a preparação de nanopartículas sensíveis à variação de temperatura e pH, pelo método de auto-agregação. Para isso, copolímeros em bloco anfifílicos foram sintetizados utilizando como segmento hidrofóbico o Poli(hidroxibutirato-co-hidroxivalerato) (PHBHV) e como segmento hidrofílico foram utilizados a Poli(N-isopropilacrilamida) (PNIPAAm) e Poli(N-isopropilacrilamida-co-ácido acrílico) (PNIPAAmAA). Estes polímeros chamados \"inteligentes\" foram sintetizados pelo novo mecanismo de polimerização radicalar controlada, por transferência de cadeia, via fragmentação e adição reversíveis (RAFT). Essas nanopartículas termo-pH-sensíveis foram empregadas nos estudos de liberação controlada de um ativo modelo, o acetato de dexametasona, sob condições controladas de temperatura e pH. Com os resultados obtidos nesta tese foi possível identificar uma rota química de síntese de copolímeros em bloco anfifílicos sensíveis a temperatura e pH, utilizando-se de reações de acoplamento entre um polímero biodegradável, obtido de fontes renováveis, e polímeros \"inteligentes\". Foi possível demonstrar também, a viabilidade de utilização destes copolímeros anfifílicos na preparação de nanopartículas pela técnica de auto-agregação, o emprego deste sistema na encapsulação e a liberação controlada de um ativo modelo em função de variações de temperatura e pH. / Recently, the self-assembly technique provided an efficient and rapid pathway for obtaining nanometers structures in a nanometer scale using few steps of reactions and by means of simple physical attractions among macro chains, simulating the folding of peptide segments in proteins. The main characteristic of this technique is based on the chemical structure of the synthetic polymers which allow the self degradation process only with physical interactions between the macro chains (without covalent bonds). By the utilization of this technique is possible to obtain, easily and efficiently, nanometers structures, which would be difficult to be obtained by conventional techniques. The aim of this work was to study a chemical route for designing amphiphilic block copolymers and nanoparticles that exhibit thermo and pH responsive by means of self-assembly method. For this purpose, amphiphilic block copolymers were synthesized using as hydrophobic segment Poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBHV) and as hydrophilic segments, Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) and Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (PNIPAAmAA). The hydrophilic polymers, called \"smart\" polymers were synthesized by a new mechanism of controlled radical polymerization, the reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT). These nanoparticles sensitive to temperature and pH were utilized in a drug delivery system of a model drug, the Dexametasone acetate (DexAc) under controlled environment of temperature and pH. The results allowed identifying a chemical route for the synthesis of stimuli-responsive amphiphilic block copolymers by means of coupling reactions of a biodegradable polymer obtained from renewable resources with smart polymers. It was also possible to demonstrate the possibility of utilization of these amphiphilic copolymers in the preparation of nanoparticles by self-assembly technique as well as the utilization of this system in the encapsulation and in the drug delivery of a model drug with variation of temperature and pH.

Parmi les bio-polymères issus des ressources renouvelables, les polysaccharides fournissent une alternative intéressante aux polymères de synthèse. Dans ce contexte, l’objectif de ce travail de thèse est basé sur la conception des copolymères amphiphiles pour la préparation de nouveaux biomatériaux. Ainsi, l’hydroxypropylméthylcellulose (HPMC) a été étudiée en raison de ses propriétés remarquables, dont la biocompatibilité, la biodégradabilité, la rétention d'eau et la gélification thermoréversible. Ces propriétés sont utiles pour de nombreuses applications telles que le relargage de médicament, la préparation des membranes et la formation de biomatériaux. L'hydrolyse enzymatique avec des endo cellulases issues de Trichoderma reesei a été étudiée pour produire des fragments d'HPMC ayant une masse molaire (Mw) entre 6000 et 30000 g mol-1. Les paramètres de l’activité enzymatique ont été étudiés en fonction de : la nature de substrat, le temps de réaction et la concentration de l'enzyme. Les polymères obtenus ont été comparés à ceux produits par hydrolyse acide. Il a été constaté que la structure des polymères issus d’un procédé d’hydrolyse, varie en termes de degré de substitution pour un même Mw. Cet effet donne lieu à différentes propriétés de gélification thermoréversible. Des copolymères amphiphiles tels que HPMC-b-poly (propylène glycol) et HPMC-b-PLA ont été préparés par amination réductrice et par couplage click thiol-ene, respectivement. Les propriétés d’agrégation ont été caractérisées par la diffusion de la lumière (DLS), le microscope électronique en transmission (TEM) et par la séparation de phase obtenue par la mesure du point de trouble. / Following the concept of bio-refinery, we propose to produce small fragments of biopolymers that can be used further as building blocks to prepare novel polymeric architectures. In the case of polysaccharides, enzymatic hydrolysis enables to form reducing end groups after each cleavage on the polymer chain. Reaction by reductive amination affords the possibility to introduce polysaccharides fragments in a large variety of materials going from amphiphilic copolymers to more sophisticated devices. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) was used in this work because of its remarkable properties including biocompatibility, biodegradability, water retention and thermoreversible gelation beneficial for many applications such as drug delivery, film and biomaterial formation. Enzymatic hydrolysis using endo cellulases from Trichoderma reesei was investigated to produce a library of HPMC fragments with molecular weight (Mw) from 6000 to 30000 g mol-1. Mw control was carried out by varying the procedure conditions including the nature of starting HPMC, reaction time and enzyme concentration. The obtained polymers were compared to those produced by acidic hydrolysis.According to the preparation conditions, the structure of short chain polymers regarding substitution degrees varied for the same Mw giving rise to different clouding temperature and thermoreversible gelation properties. Amphiphilic block copolymers HPMC-b-poly(propylene glycol) and HPMC-b-PLA were prepared by reductive amination and by the thiol-ene click reaction, respectively. Self-assembly properties of these novel block copolymer were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and clouding point temperature.

Diploma thesis deals with preparation and characterization of block copolymer PP/PE grafted with itaconic anhydride in melt. Experimental part deals with free radical iniciated grafting of polar monomers onto polyolefins and with potencial applications of grafted polyolefins. Samples of PP/PE grafted with itaconic anhydride were prepared under various conditions in the experimental part. 2,5-dimethyl-2,5bis(tert-buthylperoxy)hexane (Luperox 101) was used as radical iniciator. Grafting was performed in Brabender mixer under conditions: temperature 190-230°C, concentration of monomer 0,25-1 weight percent, concentration of iniciator 0,025 – 2 weight percent, screw speed 30 rpm. The influence of certain parameteres: iniciator concentration, monomer concentration and temperature upon conversion of monomer, value of MFI and homopolymerization of monomer extent was of interest. Presence of anhydride bonded to the polymer backbone was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. Concentration of grafted anhydride and conversion of monomer was determined by acid-base titration and confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy.

L'objectif de cette thèse est de préparer des microsphères chargées en une protéine modèle, le lysozyme, en utilisant un nouveau copolymère pentabloc. La libération de protéine à partir des microsphères obtenues doit être continue et complète sur une période d’au moins un mois. Des copolymères pentabloc PLGA-P188-PLGA et une protéine modèle, le lysozyme, ont été utilisés. La présence du bloc central P188 la masse molaire du segment PLGA, le type de solvant, la concentration en polymère, la vitesse d’agitation de l’émulsion et la teneur en tensioactif ont tous un effet sur la porosité des microsphères. La teneur en tensioactif et la vitesse d'agitation ont principalement contribué au contrôle de la taille des particules. En ajustant les caractéristiques du segment PLGA et les paramètres du procédé, la libération de la protéine a été améliorée. Une libération prolongée et complète de protéines sur 8 semaines a été obtenue en suivant le modèle d’Higuchi. La modulation du profil de libération de la protéine a été obtenue par un mélange physique de différentes microsphères. Cette stratégie peut-être appliquée à une seule protéine ou dans le cadre d’une thérapie combinée. / The aim of this thesis is to formulate protein-loaded microspheres with penta-block copolymers for a sustained and completed protein release for at least one month. A new PLGA-P188-PLGA penta-block copolymers were used. The presence of a P188 central block facilitated the control of particle morphology and size. LA/GA ratio, the molecular weight of PLGA segment, solvent type, polymer concentration, emulsifying speed and surfactant content all affected microsphere porosity.The surfactant concentration and agitation speed principally contributed to particle size control. By adjusting the polymer characteristics and the process parameters, the protein release was improved remarkably. An 8-week completed and sustained protein release complying with the Higuchi model was achieved. The physical mixing of different microparticles was then studied for modulating release profile.The achievement of protein delivery with controlled release profile raised its applicability, especially for one protein sustained release or combined therapy.

Block copolymers, long chain molecules of two distinct chemical species joined covalently to one another, have long been known to form organized structures on the nanoscopic level. For example, if the two chains are the same length a lamellar structure results . In this work we show how this internal structure causes distinct deviation from 'normal' fluid behavior. We begin with the observation of block copolymer droplets with atomic force microscopy. We note the droplets form nearly conical shapes in stark contrast to the usual spherical cap. These droplets are found t o spread at an incredibly slow speed, and to have interesting instabilities in their wetting layer. We move on to studies of completely wet substrates (i.e. thin films) near the order-disorder transition of the material. Here we directly observe, with optical microscopy, a change in the fundamental spacing of the diblock's internal structure. This represents a superior method of measurement of the Flory-Huggins interaction parameter, which we verify in several ways. We also use the change in lamellar thickness to drive diffusion from one layer to another, and by similar measurements we can determine the kinetics of diffusion between the lamellar layers. In the last study we measure the lamellar edges on a gradient thickness sample with optical microscopy. In so doing we can directly observe surface induced ordering, and for the first time, can precisely resolve the near surface ordering dynamics. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

ABSTRACT Effective drug delivery to ocular tissues is an unmet challenge that has significant potential to improve the treatment of ocular diseases. Whether the intended drug delivery target is the anterior or posterior segment, the eye’s efficient natural protection mechanisms prevent effective and sustained drug delivery. Anatomical and physiological barriers including the rapid tear turnover that effectively washes away topically applied drugs, the impermeable characteristics of the cornea, conjunctiva, and sclera, and the tight junctions in the blood-ocular barriers make conventional drug delivery methods ineffective. New materials that are able to overcome these barriers are essential to improving the sustained delivery of ophthalmic therapeutics to the intended targets within the eye. This thesis will explore two polymeric drug delivery systems that have the potential to improve therapeutic delivery to ocular tissues. Chapter 1 will discuss the anatomical and physiological barriers to ophthalmic drug delivery and overview current research in this area. Chapter 2 will discuss the synthesis of N-isopropylacrylamide-based copolymers with adjustable gelation temperatures based on composition and molecular weight. Chapter 3 will discuss further development of these copolymers into an injectable, thermoresponsive, and resorbable polymeric drug delivery system intended for the treatment of diseases in the posterior segment. Chapter 4 will discuss the development of mucoadhesive polymeric micelle nanoparticles based on phenylboronic acid intended for topical administration of ophthalmic therapeutics. Finally, Chapter 5 will provide an overview of potential future work on these materials that could further develop and broaden their therapeutic use. / Thesis / Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

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This dissertation focuses on the synthesis and characterization of functional poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PEtOx) containing homo- and block copolymers that are potential materials for membrane-based water purification and gas separation, drug delivery, magnetic resonance imaging and tissue engineering applications. The polymerization of 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline (EtOx) was investigated with regard to the effects of initiator structures and reaction parameters such as polymerization time and temperature on molecular weight control and molecular weight distribution, endgroup functionality, living characteristics, and mechanism and kinetics. The structure of initiators was shown to significantly affect the molecular weight control and molecular weight distribution of PEtOx oligomers. Methyl triflate initiated polymerizations were found to result in oligomers with low polydispersity (PDI) values around 1.10-1.15 and symmetrical chromatograms were obtained via size exclusion chromatography (SEC) studies with the use of refractive index, light scattering and viscosity detectors. However, EtOx polymerizations initiated by halide containing initiators such as benzyl chloride, dibromo- and diiodo-p-xylene, and vinylsilylpropyl iodides yielded PEtOx oligomers with higher PDI values ~ 1.30-1.40. Higher molecular weight distributions can be attributed to the presence of covalent species during polymerization and slower initiation rate as evidenced by kinetic studies when compared to PEtOx prepared from methyl triflate initiators. In all cases, termination reactions with aliphatic cyclic amines were quantitative. Mono- and diamine functional PEtOx oligomers with controlled molecular weight and excellent end-group functionality may be used as prepolymers for incorporation into multiblock and graft copolymer and crosslinked structures for a variety of applications such as membranes and hydrogels for tissue engineering matrices. Poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) containing block copolymers were prepared using the macroinitiator method. First, amphiphilic triblock copolymers with hydrophobic poly(arylene ether sulfone) (PSF) central block and hydrophilic PEtOx side blocks were synthesized via polymerization of EtOx sequences from tosylate functional telechelic PSF macroinitiators. PSFs are well-known engineering thermoplastics with excellent resistance to hydrolysis and oxidation, as well as displaying good mechanical properties, thermal stability and toughness. Phenol functional PSFs were prepared via step-growth polymerization of dichlorodiphenylsulfone and bisphenol-A (slight excess) monomers. Phenolic chain ends were then converted to aliphatic hydroxyethyl endgroups by reaction with ethylene carbonate. Upon treatment with p-toluenesulfonyl chloride, tosylate functional PSF macroinitiators were prepared. PEtOx-b-PSF-b-PEtOx triblock copolymers (pendent acyl groups of PEtOx side blocks) were partially hydrolyzed in an acidic medium to introduce random charged poly(ethylene imine) units to prepare ionomer structures that may show good salt rejection, water flux and antibacterial properties for membrane-based water purification applications. Phosphonic acid modified poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PEO-b-PEtOx) diblock copolymers were prepared via cationic ring opening polymerization of EtOx monomers from tosylate functional PEO macroinitiators and subsequent functionalization reactions on the polyoxazoline block. Post-modification reactions included controlled partial pendent acyl group hydrolysis under an acidic medium to form the random block copolymers of PEtOx and poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI), Michael addition of diethylvinyl phosphonate groups to PEI units and hydrolysis of the ethyl groups on the phosphonates to yield pendent phosphonic acid groups on the polyoxazoline block. After each step of functionalization reactions, structures and compositions were confirmed utilizing 1H NMR and the degree of phosphorylation was found to be > 95%. Both PEO and PEtOx are biocompatible polymers and the anionic quality of the phosphonic acid has the potential to be pH controllable and provide an environment where cationic drugs and contrast agents can be attached. Thus, these polymers have potential as drug carriers and contrast enhancement agents for magnetic resonance imaging applications. / Ph. D.