Liposomes are used as biocompatible carriers of drugs, peptides, proteins, plasmic DNA, antisense oligonucleotides or ribozymes, for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and biochemical purposes. They are considered as effective drug delivery systems due to their colloidal size, easily controllable surface and membrane properties, large carrying capacity of drugs and biocompatibility. / This study was concerned with the stability of liposomes, their interaction at solid-liquid interfaces and their release of hydrophilic drug compounds. Either conventional liposomes containing lecithin and cholesterol, and Stealth® liposomes containing polyethylene glycol (PEG) 5000-lipids or PEG2000-lipids were investigated. Steric hindrance introduced by PEG chains proved to be influential in controlling liposome stability, interaction and drug release processes. Electrostatic forces were shown to be essential to the mechanisms and kinetics of liposome adsorption and colloidal stability, but not influential for the release of guanosine, used as a model hydrophilic drug. / Findings from this research improve the understanding of liposome interaction during drug delivery, give insight into the actions of liposomes in the body and may form the basis for improved liposome formulation. In addition, this research has developed a more comprehensive understanding of the role of PEG in controlling the colloidal stability, interfacial interactions of liposomes and drug transport kinetics across the lipid bilayers of liposomes. / Thesis (PhDAppliedScience)--University of South Australia, 2005.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/267425 |
| Creators | Er, Yan. |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | copyright under review |
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