The termotropic polymorphism of anhydrous lithium stearate (n-octadecanoate, LiCi8), lithium oleate (cis-9-octadecenoate) and an unusual semi-crystalline lithium phenylstearate (LiPS) soap mixture composed of 12 positional isomers, was studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarizing microscopy (plus x-ray diffraction and 7Li NMR spectroscopy for the latter). Each soap exhibited a characteristic stepwise melting behaviour. In contrast to the oleate, both LiC[18] and LiPS formed high temperature liquid crystal phases (lamellar and reversed hexagonal structures respectively) directly preceding their amorphous melts. The phase behaviour of LiCi8 in the hydrocarbon solvents n-hexadecane and squalane and that of LiPS in 1-phenylheptane was investigated using DSC and microscopic and macroscopic observations in polarized light (plus x-ray diffraction and [7]Li NMR spectroscopy for the latter). Phase diagrams were constructed. The phase behaviour of each system was critically dependent upon the thermotropic polymorphism of the solvent-free soap itself. At high temperatures two distinct mesophases were formed in the LiPS-l-phenylheptane system; a solvent-swollen reversed hexagonal mesophase at low solvent concentrations and a novel reversed micellar nematic mesophase at higher solvent concentrations. No mesophase formation was observed, however, in the LiC[18]-hydrocarbon systems. The phase behaviour of LiPS with [2]H[2]O was investigated (using the experimental techniques employed for the 1-phenylheptane system plus 2H NMR spectroscopy) and a phase diagram constructed. LiPS was shown to form a single homogeneous lamellar mesophase on addition of [2]H[2]O at room temperature with a broad composition and temperature range of stability.

No description available.

Copper ions (Cu⁺, Cu²⁺) play important roles in many biological processes (i.e., oxidation, dioxygen transport, and electron transfer); many of the functions in these processes result from copper ions interacting with proteins and peptides. Previous studies using matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) have shown that Cu⁺ ions preferentially bind to electron rich groups in gas phase (i.e., N-terminal amino group, the side-chains of lysine, histidine and arginine). For peptides with more than one Cu⁺ ligand, the interaction between Cu⁺ ions and ligands is described in terms of competitive binding; however, Cu⁺ coordination chemistry for multiple Cu⁺-containing proteins and peptides in gas phase is still not fully understood. In addition, no studies on the fragmentation chemistry for multiple Cu⁺-binding peptides, such as [M + 2Cu - H]⁺ ions, have been reported. The synthesized dinuclear copper complex (alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA) copper salt (CHCA)₄Cu₂) enhances the ion abundances for [M + xCu - (x-1)H]⁺ (x = 1-6) ions in gas-phase when used as a MALDI matrix. Using this matrix we have investigated site-specific copper binding of several peptides using fragmentation chemistry of [M + Cu]⁺ and [M + 2Cu - H]⁺ ions. The fragmentation studies reveal that the binding of a single Cu⁺ ion and two Cu⁺ ions are different, and these differences are explained in terms of intramolecular interactions of the peptide-Cu ionic complex. The competitive Cu⁺ binding to C-terminus (i.e., amide, carboxyl, methyl ester) versus lysine, as well as cysteine (SH/SO₃H) versus arginine (guanidino), was also examined by MALDI MS and theoretical calculations (Density Functional Theory (DFT)). For example, results from theoretical and experimental (fragmentation reactions) studies on [M + Cu]⁺ and [M + 2Cu - H]⁺ ions suggest that cysteine side chains (SH/SO₃H) are important Cu⁺ ligands. Note that, the proton of the SH/SO₃H group is mobile and can be transferred to the arginine guanidino group. For [M + 2Cu - H]⁺ ions, deprotonation of the -SH/SO₃H group is energetically more favorable than that of the carboxyl group, and the resulting thiolate/sulfonate group plays an important role in the coordination structure of [M + 2Cu - H]⁺ ions.

Presented in this dissertation are studies on the gas-phase structural features of peptides and peptide fragment ions using mass spectrometry (MS), hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange, infrared multiphoton dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy, and computational modeling. Additional studies are presented on the mechanism of hydrogen/deuterium exchange using a model amino acid system. The application of chemical cross-linking to investigate the interaction between two proteins, LexA and RecA, is also presented. Gas-phase structural features can be probed using a number of techniques, and several of the studies presented in this dissertation involve the use of gas-phase H/D exchange. Although the basic mechanism for exchange has been determined, the factors that affect the rate and extent of exchange are not well understood. A computational modeling study of the exchange behavior of asparagine and its methyl ester demonstrated that exchange will occur preferentially at sites of more similar basicity. The distinctive exchange behavior of a model histidine-containing pentapeptide, HAAAA, prompted further studies into the structural features that result in five fast exchanging hydrogens and one slower exchange. Peptide analogues were used to identify the sites of exchange, and IRMPD spectroscopy combined with computational modeling indicated that exchange may occur because interaction with water at those sites results in lower energy structures compared to the other sites. Structural studies were also performed to determine whether the b₂⁺ ion from HAAAA is an oxazolone or diketopiperazine. Although the IRMPD spectrum matched that of a diketopiperazine, H/D exchange and fragmentation studies revealed the presence of both a diketopiperazine and oxazolone structure. Protein-protein interactions perform a vital role in regulating cellular processes. Despite extensive mutational analysis, the binding interaction between LexA and RecA, two proteins involved in the SOS response, is unclear. Chemical cross-linking experiments were undertaken to help target future mutational studies, and these studies identified two possible interactions. The first potential binding interaction is located in the cleft of RecA, and the second interaction may be caused by a LexA dimer binding across the RecA helical groove. The presence of two different binding interactions suggests that LexA may have redundant binding modes for RecA interaction.

Mass spectrometry (MS) is emerging as an important tool for studying protein and protein complexes. When applying this tool, it is important to understand and investigate whether some of the intramolecular and intermolecular interactions of proteins in solution and are maintained in the gas phase. To investigate if some of these interactions are maintained in the gas phase, we develop and use a method in which the electron-transfer dissociation (ETD) spectra of native proteins are compared with spectra from ETD followed by low amplitude collisional induced dissociation (CID). From these experiments, we find that some intramolecular interactions from solution are maintained in the gas phase for ubiquitin and beta-2-microglobulin (β2m). However, using these approaches, cytochrome c’s structure in the gas phase appears to be quite different than its structure in solution. We also investigated if ETD spectra of intact protein complexes reflect contact site information in these complexes

This dissertation, entitled »Control of the morphology of biodegradable polymer blends«, has been running parallel with the grant project »Multiphase biodegradable polymer systems« and it represents a new research direction in the Department of morphology and rheology of polymer materials at the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry. The main idea was to employ our long-lasting work and experience in the field of morphology control of synthetic polymer blends in the very analogous field of the biodegradable polymer blends. We have chosen three most common, widely used and relatively cheap bio-based polymers - starch, poly(lactic acid) and poly(ε-caprolactone) - in order to investigate how the properties of their blends might be improved if we control the blend morphology in targeted, reproducible and well-defined way from the very beginning. It has been well established that morphology (phase structure, supramolecular structure) is one of the key factors influencing final properties of polymer blends, including mechanical performance, rate of (bio)degradation, gas permeability etc. In this work, numerous preliminary experiments showed that there are two systems in which the morphology control could significantly help in the improving of their end-use properties: PLA/PCL/TiX (where PLA = poly(lactic acid),...

Abstract There has been great interest in microgels as drug carriers within the pharmaceutical industry. This includes the use of amphiphilic drugs for treating conditions such as depression, allergies, and cancer. By loading adiphenine (ADP), pavatrine (PVT), and diphenhydramine (DPH) into macrogels and observing the release, this study seeks to investigate how amphiphilic drugs can be released from microgels. There is also an interest in how aggregation behavior may vary depending on the structural components. This study utilized small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) along with UV analysis and the measuring of the binding isotherm to investigate micelle aggregation and aggregation number. Two of the drugs adiphenine and pavatrine, have similar structures with only one bond that differentiated them. The difference in rigidity provided different results in SAXS. Adiphenine has an aggregation number of 12, diphenhydramine has a number of 13, and pavatrine has a number of 37. In contrast to pavatrine, which did not exhibit a correlation peak, adiphenine and diphenhydramine showed correlation peaks. This indicates that none of them had an ordered phase structure but pavatrine displayed an even more disordered phase structure. Nevertheless, all three drugs were in equilibrium, and so a difference between adiphenine and pavatrine could be clearly distinguished. There were significant divergences between pavatrine and adiphenine despite not being able to determine binding isotherms for all three drugs. Based on this, they should be less stable than diphenhydramine. They have an ester linkage, while diphenhydramine doesn't. As a result, it was not possible to confirm how self-aggregation of adiphenine, pavatrine, and diphenhydramine impacts drug release. Despite this, differences in the rigidity of the structural form may lead amphiphilic drugs to exhibit different behaviour in gels. Keywords: Amphiphilic drugs, small angle x-ray scattering, macrogels, binding isotherm, CMC, self-aggregation, phase structure, micelles.

<p>Please email me at kdunn@celccocontrols.com to confirm receipt of my thesis.</p> <p>Thanks,</p> <p>Kayne</p> / <p>In current microelectronic interconnect technology, significant delay is incurred due to capacitances in the intermediate and global interconnect layers. To avoid capacitive effects optical interconnects can be used; however conventional technologies are expensive to manufacture. One method to address these issues is to make use of quantum confinement effects and states lying within the bandgap of the material to enhance luminescence in a CMOS compatible silicon based system. Thin SiCxNy films appear to be suitable to work as luminescent silicon based films due to their lower direct bandgap and chemical stability but have not yet been studied in great detail.</p> <p>This thesis is an exploratory work aiming to assess the suitability of SiCxNy films for the above applications and to identify future research areas. The films analyzed in this thesis were manufactured on the inductively coupled plasma-chemical vapour deposition reactor (ICP-CVD) at McMaster University. The ICP-CVD produces films of high uniformity by using a remote RF plasma and an arrangement of high vacuum pumps to attain a vacuum on the order of 10-7Torr.</p> <p>Several experimental techniques have been used to analyse the films. The complex index of refraction has been determined through the use of ellipsometry giving results typical of that of a-SiNx:H. The photoluminescence spectroscopy results show a large broad emission peak with at least one shoulder at higher energies. The precise luminescence mechanism(s) could not be identified though a strong relationship with the bonding state of nitrogen has been found. The composition and structure of the films, as determined through ion beam measurements, infrared absorption measurements, and transmission electron microscopy measurements demonstrate the formation of a two phase structure consisting of carbon rich clusters surrounded by a mostly silicon nitride matrix. These carbon rich regions have some graphitic character and act to dampen the luminescence.</p> / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

Raman spectroscopy, laser-induced fluorescence, and sum-frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy are used to investigate the behavior of compressible mobile phases and stationary phases under a variety of chromatographic conditions. Efforts to understand and optimize separations employing compressible mobile phases have been limited by a lack of understanding of the mobile phase density gradient. Mobile phase compressibility leads to gradients in linear velocity and solute retention and affects separation speed and efficiency, especially in packed columns. This work describes on-column density measurement of CO2, a common carrier fluid for SFC and SGC, in packed capillary columns using Raman microspectroscopy. On-column detection by laser-induced fluorescence is used to observe the effect of the mobile phase density gradient on separation speed and efficiency, and experimental efficiency is compared to a theoretical model. Additionally, SFG spectroscopy allows for probing the structure of model monomeric and polymeric C18 stationary phases under pressure; this provides a basis for correlating selectivity with pressure-induced structural changes in stationary phase materials. Together, this work provides a more complete understanding of the role of column pressure and fluid compressibility on the speed, efficiency, and selectivity of chemical separations.

Future changes in the incidence and prevalence of OA are difficult to predict. As incidence and prevalence rise with increasing age, extending life expectancy will result in greater numbers with OA. Actually, usual therapeutic approaches are really restricted because of important side effects with long-term use. Therefore, there is a need to develop improved formulations which are well tolerated, biocompatible and biodegradable. Ideally, these new treatments should be able to deliver locally sufficient amount of anti-inflammatory or analgesic drugs into the site of arthritic inflammation while stabilizing or better restoring the mechanical integrity of the joint. In this way, the objective of this project is to develop slow-release gels that are sterile, injectable, characterized by viscoelastic properties and capable to sustain the in situ release of both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs. The intraarticular delivery combined to sustained-release property should be interesting to reduce the number of injection required while prolonging the local drug activity over weeks. For that purpose, glycerol monooleate (GMO), also called “monolein” was selected for its capacity to form highly viscous crystalline phase structures upon contact with an aqueous fluid (e.g. synovial fluid). <p>In the first step of this work, it was decided to develop and characterize hydro-lipidic gels based on the use of monolein and hyaluronic acid in order to provide in vitro sustained release of hydrophilic drugs such as clonidine and lipophilic drugs such as betamethasone. Initially, a compatibility study was performed on the main ingredients selected in order to check that there were not physico-chemical incompatibilities, which could be deleterious regarding to their stability in formulation. Then, the development of hydro-lipidic gels was initiated by considering on the first hand the solubility of each ingredient and on the other hand the syringeability, the rheological properties and the in vitro dissolution profiles obtained for the developed formulations. The objective of this preformulation program was to identify potential candidates that presented suitable syringeability while being able to sustain the release of drugs over weeks and being characterized by interesting viscoelastic properties for the long-term management of osteoarthritis. Moreover, several methods of quantification and characterization were developed in order to allow the physico-chemical properties (rheology, syringeability, water uptake, stability and dissolution profiles) of the developed formulations to be studied.<p>Results of the compatibility study showed that the concomitant use of monolein, hyaluronic acid and clonidine/betamethasone is not contraindicated. Next, the preformulation program allowed many injectable drug delivery systems to be prepared. However, the carrier that best meets our needs was composed of 10,0 % (wt/wt) absolute ethanol ;15,0 % propylene glycol (wt/wt) ;15,0 % (wt/wt) water ;55,0 % (wt/wt) de monolein ;5,0 % (wt/wt) purified soybean oil ;0,03 % (wt/wt) α-tocophérol and 7,5 mg/g sodium hyaluronate (1.9 MDa). This carrier assured suitable syringeability and rheological properties. Indeed, it presented marked pseudoplastic flow behavior that allowed relatively fast injection through a narrow needle, followed by an increase in viscosity upon contact with aqueous fluids to obtain an in vitro sustained release of hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs over a few weeks. As a consequence, it was assumed that this carrier should be able to jellify in situ upon contact with physiological fluid such as synovial fluid. Then, according to EMA recommendations, a fast and easy manufacturing process that could be applied in a cleanroom at industrial scale was validated in our Laboratory. Finally, according to these promising results obtained in vitro, a stability study was performed on the carrier alone and containing clonidine or betamethasone according to ICH recommendations described for products intended for storage in a refrigerator. In that purpose, several parameters such as the quantification of drugs, the pH, the molecular weight of hyaluronic acid, the dissolution profiles of drugs and the rheological properties of the formulations were recorded depending on time and conditions of storage. This stability study showed clearly the importance to adjust the pH value of the formulation. Indeed, it was demonstrated that a pH value of 6.5, adjusted with diluted NaOH, allowed the stability of the formulation to be significantly improved. During this first step of this project, our Laboratory initiated two new collaborations. On the first hand, collaboration with the Laboratory of Professor Siepmann (University of Lille 2 – Faculty of Pharmacy) was started for their expertise on mathematical modeling. On the other hand, collaboration with the Laboratory of Professor Jerôme (ULg – Faculty of sciences) was started for their expertise on macromolecular chemistry and more particularly on rheological properties.<p>In the second step of this work, it was decided to evaluate in vitro the safety and the efficiency of the developed carrier and formulations containing clonidine or betamethasone. In this way, it was suggested to test selected drugs and potential candidates formulations on equine polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) by measuring the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by PMNs stimulated or not with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). For that purpose, our Laboratory initiated a new collaboration with the Laboratory of Professor Serteyn (ULg – Faculty of veterinary) for their expertise on equine PMNs and quantification of (ROS) produced in particular in inflammatory diseases.<p>This in vitro study has shown that no pro-inflammatory effect appeared by incubating carrier with unstimulated PMNs in comparison with the control assay. However, the production of ROS was quickly and considerably decreased when stimulated cells were placed in contact with carrier regardless on the incorporation of clonidine or betamethasone. This observation demonstrated that developed carrier provided a strong antioxidant effect, certainly by trapping the ROS produced. These results were very promising because that antioxidant effect of carrier could inhibit oxidative damages and might consequently potentiate the prevention of inflammatory conditions. Concerning the clonidine and betamethasone, only the last one provided significant inhibition of the ROS activity.<p>Finally, by considering the very promising results obtained with the in vitro study on PMNs, an in vivo study on rabbits, which seemed to be the most appropriate small animal model for this kind of intraarticular formulations, was performed to evaluate the toxicity and the efficiency of the developed carrier and formulation containing betamethasone. Therefore, our Laboratory started collaboration with the unit of research in osteo-articular pathologies (UROC) of Pr. Henrotin (ULg) for their expertise in animal models, in particular rabbits with osteoarticular pathologies such as osteoarthritis. For this purpose, this in vivo study was outsourced by TNO (Delft, Holland) and was designed as follow: (i) 0.9 % saline buffered (n=8); (ii) carrier (n=8); (iii) formulation containing betamethasone (n=8); (iv) Durolane® (n=8) a marketed product of HA. Surprisingly, it seemed that the control group (saline buffered) presented macroscopical and histological scores that were globally low according to literature. As a consequence, it was difficult to conclude about the efficiency of the developed treatments by considering only this pilot study. However, it is important to note that it seemed that the expected viscoelastic protection of the carrier to prevent the degradation of articular cartilage was not optimal regardless on the incorporation of betamethasone. Nevertheless, the histological analyses of synovial membranes from each treated groups demonstrated that there was no pro-inflammatory reaction. This meant that all formulations tested were well tolerated despite of the apparition of lumps (in 37.5 % of treated rabbits) that are probably due to both the high volume injected (900 µL) and an excessive and unexpected in situ water uptake of developed formulations based on GMO. However, this lack of rejection of the developed carrier could be very important since it allowed new perspectives to be considered. For example, other articular disorders could be targeted by incorporating drugs, for which in situ sustained release or mechanical protection could be beneficial. <p>Our laboratory is member of a collaborative project "JOINT-AIC" from BioWin and is supported by a grant from the Walloon Region. The development of analytical methods, the evaluation of physico-chemical properties and finally the preparation of sterile batches of formulations based on GMO intended for in vitro and in vivo studies were performed in the Laboratory of Galenic and Biopharmacy of the Faculty of Pharmacy of ULB./L’arthrose est une pathologie dont la prévalence et le coût ne font qu’augmenter dans notre société vieillissante. Les moyens thérapeutiques actuels étant fort limités suite à de sérieux effets secondaires à long terme, il existe réellement un besoin médical important de développer de nouveaux traitements locaux qui soient bien tolérés, biocompatibles et biodégradables. Idéalement, ceux-ci devraient être actifs au niveau du processus inflammatoire ou de la douleur tout en étant capable de stabiliser, voire de restaurer, l’intégrité mécanique de l’articulation. <p>Dans cette optique, l’objectif de ce projet a été de développer des systèmes hydrolipidiques stériles, injectables et viscoélastiques qui soient capables de prolonger in situ la libération de principes actifs hydrophiles et lipophiles. Cette caractéristique devait permettre de réduire le nombre d’injections nécessaires dans le cadre du traitement symptomatique de l’arthrose et de maintenir l’effet des composés sur un minimum de quatre à six semaines. Cette étude entre dans le cadre du projet JOINT-AIC entièrement financé par le programme BioWin de la Région Wallonne. Le développement, la validation des méthodes analytiques, l’évaluation des propriétés physico-chimiques ainsi que la préparation stérile des lots de formulation destinés aux tests in vitro et in vivo ont été réalisés au sein du Laboratoire de Galénique et Biopharmacie de la Faculté de Pharmacie de l’ULB. <p>Au cours de ce projet, il a donc fallu dans un premier temps développer et caractériser des formulations hydrolipidiques à base de monoléine et d’acide hyaluronique permettant une libération in vitro prolongée de principes actifs tels que la clonidine (hydrophile) et le dipropionate de bétaméthasone (lipophile). Une étude de compatibilité a ainsi été préalablement réalisée afin de s’assurer qu’aucun des constituants principaux de la formulation ne présentaient d’incompatibilité physico-chimique qui pourrait être délétère vis-à-vis de leur stabilité en formulation. Ensuite, le développement de préparations hydro-lipidiques a été initié en tenant compte, d’une part de la solubilité des différents composants et, d’autre part de l’injectabilité, des propriétés rhéologiques et des profils de libération de la clonidine obtenus à partir des gels développés. Cette étude visait à obtenir une composition de référence qui soit à la fois injectable et capable de libérer un principe actif hydrophile sur plusieurs jours, voire plusieurs semaines, tout en possédant des propriétés rhéologiques intéressantes dans le cadre d’une viscosupplémentation articulaire. Enfin, un protocole de fabrication en milieu aseptique a été développé et plusieurs méthodes pour étudier les propriétés physico-chimiques des gels développés telles que la rhéologie, l’injectabilité, l’indice de gonflement, la stabilité et les profils de libérations ont été mises en place. <p>Les résultats ont montré qu’aucune incompatibilité ne semblait exister entre les trois composés majeurs de notre préparation, la monoléine, l’acide hyaluronique et la clonidine. Le développement des formulations nous a ensuite permis d’obtenir de nouveaux systèmes hydrolipidiques stériles et injectables à délivrance prolongée. Le véhicule qui remplissait au mieux nos objectifs était composé de 10,0% (m/m) d’éthanol ;de 15,0% de propylène glycol (m/m) ;de 15,0% (m/m) d’eau ;de 55,0% (m/m) de monoléine ;5,0% (m/m) d’huile de soja purifiée ;0,03% (m/m) d’α-tocophérol, de 7,5 mg/g d’HA et son pH était ajusté à 6,5 avec du NaOH 1N. Ce véhicule a montré un intérêt réel dans le cadre du développement de préparations biodégradables et biocompatibles pour le traitement de pathologies articulaires.En effet, cette composition présentait un écoulement de type pseudoplastique et des propriétés rhéologiques qui lui procuraient une bonne injectabilité. De plus, cette formulation a démontré in vitro une excellente capacité à gélifier au contact de fluides aqueux et à ralentir efficacement sur plusieurs semaines la libération des différents principes actifs incorporés (clonidine et dipropionate de bétaméthasone). Nous pouvions, dès lors, envisager que celle-ci serait capable de gélifier in situ au contact d’un fluide physiologique tel que le liquide synovial. Ensuite, suivant les recommandations de l’EMA, nous avons décidé d’utiliser l’association d’une filtration stérilisante et d’une préparation en milieu aseptique pour obtenir des formulations qui répondaient aux exigences en matière de préparation parentérale. C’est ainsi qu’un protocole de fabrication stérile de nos gels a été développé par nos soins en vue d’une éventuelle mise à l’échelle industrielle. Enfin, une étude de stabilité sur une année, suivant les normes ICH décrites pour des formulations destinées à être conservées au frigo, a été réalisée sur différents véhicules développés et contenant soit la clonidine, soit le dipropionate de bétaméthasone. Dans cette optique, plusieurs paramètres, tels que le dosage en principe actif, l’évolution du pH et du poids moléculaire de HA, le profil de libération ainsi que la rhéologie des formulations ont été évalués au cours du temps aux différentes conditions de conservation testées. Cette étude a permis de démontrer toute l’importance d’ajuster le pH de la préparation pour prévenir l’hydrolyse de l’HA, et cela indépendamment de l’incorporation de principe actif. Ainsi, il a pu être montré que l’ajustement du pH du véhicule à 6,5 à partir de NaOH dilué permettait d’améliorer considérablement la stabilité de la formulation puisqu’aucune modification significative de ses différents paramètres physico-chimiques et teneurs n’a été observée après un an de conservation à 5 et à 25 °C (60% HR) mais également après six mois à 30 °C (65% HR). Au cours de cette première partie, deux collaborations ont été initiées, l’une avec le Laboratoire du Prof. Siepmann de l’Université de Lille 2 et l’autre avec le Prof. Jerôme de l’Université de Liège. Avec l’aide du Prof. Siepmann, il a été possible de mettre au point un modèle mathématique pour caractériser les profils de libération des principes actifs à partir des différents véhicules développés. Le Prof. Jerôme a, quant à elle, mis à notre disposition un rhéomètre qui a permis d’approfondir nos connaissances sur les propriétés rhéologiques et viscoélastiques des formulations.<p>Ensuite, la seconde partie de notre travail a consisté à évaluer la tolérance, ainsi que l’efficacité des principes actifs sélectionnés et des formulations développées, à travers un modèle in vitro de cellules de l’inflammation (neutrophiles équins). Cette étude avait pour objectif d’évaluer deux aspects importants de la formulation :d’une part vérifier l’absence de réaction pro-inflammatoire qui pourrait être in vivo destructrice vis-à-vis du véhicule ainsi que des tissus environnants, et d’autre part vérifier l’effet anti-inflammatoire propre à la clonidine et au dipropionate de bétaméthasone seuls et en formulation. Cette étude a été réalisée avec la collaboration du Laboratoire du Prof. Serteyn de l’Université de Liège.Cette étude in vitro a démontré que les cellules restaient viables au moins pendant quatre heures lorsqu’elles étaient exposées à la matrice épurée de ses solvants. Ensuite, de manière surprenante, il a même pu être démontré que le véhicule permettait à la fois de prévenir et de réduire significativement la production des espèces réactives de l’oxygène (ROS) par les neutrophiles équins lorsque ceux-ci étaient stimulés au phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Cette propriété peut être d’un grand intérêt dans le cadre de la prise en charge de l’arthrose car cette activité antioxydante pourrait permettre d’inhiber les dommages oxydatifs générés par les ROS et ainsi prévenir les dommages liés au développement du processus inflammatoire et qui peut, à long terme, s’avérer délétère pour les tissus environnants tels que le cartilage. Cette propriété du véhicule semble trouver son origine dans la monoléine qui, de par sa composition en alpha-tocophérol (200 ppm), présente également une activité antioxydante vis-à-vis des ROS. Toutefois, une action synergique liée à l’HA, à l’huile de soja ou à l’alpha-tocophérol incorporés aux formulations, n’est pas à exclure. Enfin, parmi les deux principes actifs sélectionnés, seul le dipropionate de bétaméthasone a montré une inhibition significative de la production des ROS.<p>Enfin, en tenant compte des résultats obtenus sur cellules, une étude in vivo pilote a été réalisée sur base d’un modèle de lapins. Cette étude visait à vérifier la tolérance ainsi que l’efficacité en prophylaxie de l’arthrose du véhicule développé ainsi que de la formulation contenant le dipropionate de bétaméthasone. Dans ce but, quatre groupes d’animaux (n=8) ont été constitués pour chacun des traitements testés :(i) groupe témoin :0,9 % tampon salin pH 7,4 ;(ii) véhicule à base de GMO développé; (iii) véhicule contenant du dipropionate de bétaméthasone ;(iv) groupe référence :Durolane®. Cette étude a été réalisée avec l’aide du Laboratoire du Prof. Henrotin de l’Université de Liège. L’hébergement des animaux ainsi que les actes chirurgicaux ont, quant à eux, été sous-traités par TNO (Delft, Pays-Bas).<p>De manière étonnante, il s’est avéré que le groupe contrôle présentait des scores macroscopique et histologique globalement peu élevés par rapport à ce qui est rapporté dans la littérature. Compte tenu de cette observation, il est difficile de se prononcer, sur base uniquement de cette étude, sur l’efficacité des différents traitements testés. Toutefois, il faut reconnaître que l’effet protecteur attendu pour le véhicule vis-à-vis de la dégradation du cartilage ne semble pas optimal et cela indépendamment de l’incorporation de dipropionate de bétaméthasone. Par ailleurs, l’étude des membranes synoviales a permis de démontrer qu’il n’y avait aucune différence significative en termes d’inflammation et de structure entre le groupe contrôle et les différents groupes traités. Ce qui signifie qu’aucun rejet n’a été observé vis-à-vis des formulations et que celles-ci ont, par conséquent, été bien tolérées malgré la formation de masses liées probablement au volume important injecté (900 µL) et au gonflement in situ du produit chez 37,5 % des lapins. Cette observation est importante puisqu’elle permet d’envisager de nouvelles perspectives telles que l’incorporation d’autres principes actifs pouvant éventuellement viser d’autres pathologies articulaires et pour lesquels une libération prolongée ou une protection mécanique du principe actif in situ serait bénéfique. <p><p><p><p><p><p> / Doctorat en Sciences biomédicales et pharmaceutiques / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished