• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.173-178
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• 1989

Drug release rates from copolymer hydrogels were controlled by their hydrophilic-hydrophobic balances. As a model copolymer hydrogel, poly(acrylamide-co-styrene) was synthesized at different monomer composition. Release mechanisms of propranolol-HCI from the copolymer matrices were investisated. Swelling rates of the copolymer hydrogels retarded as their hydrophobicity increased. Swelling kinetics of the copolymer hydrogels regulated drug release rates via polymer relaxation controlled release mechanisms. Zero order drug release could thus be achieved within certain periods.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.150-159
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• 1999

Hollow type suppositories inserted polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel capsule containing propranolol·HCI (PPH) were prepared using different bases, polyethylene glycol (PEG), Witepsol H-15 (WH-15) and Witepsol W-35 (WW-35) to improve the controlled release of PPH. The release of PPH from the hollow type suppository inserted PVA hydrogel capsule was retarded than that from PEG, WH-15, or WW-35 hollow type suppositories in rat rectal cavity. When the suppositories were administered to rats, the controlled release of PPH was proved by the plasma concentration-time-profiles of PPH. No significant difference (p〈0.05) among the three different hollow type suppositories was observed in terms of AUC and MRT of PPH. WH-15 hollow type suppository inserted 12% of PVA hydrogel capsule caused irritation to rat rectal mucosa. However, the WH-15 hollow type suppository inserted PVA hydrogel capsule caused no severe irritation on rectal mucosa. The application of the hollow type suppositories using PVA in sustained rectal delivery of drugs might be feasible.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.323-327
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• 2010

Translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) activates basophils to release histamine and causes chronic inflammation. It was also reported that TCTP significantly reduced in brain of Alzheimer's Disease and Down Syndrome as compared to normal person, suggesting that TCTP might be involved in cognitive function. We wondered whether TCTP could act as a general inducer in neurotransmitters release in brain. We, therefore, investigated the role of TCTP in PC12 cell line which expressed neuronal properties. We found that TCTP could activate JNK, and the activity was inhibited by pretreatment of dicoumarol, a JNK inhibitor. However, TCTP could not activate ERK that has known to be involved in neurotransmitter release. These suggest TCTP did not participate in neurotransmitter release from PC12 cells, and TCTP might not be a general inducer in neurotransmitter release.

• Food Science and Industry
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.27-36
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• 2017

Today, the food packaging industry has a great interest in using active packaging to fresh food product as a solution for the future to positively provide its quality, safety and shelf life. Many researches have extensively studied functional packaging strategies in recently years. Controlled release packaging (CRP) is an innovative packaging technology in the packaging polymer matrix from which can active agents are delivered in a controlled way into the product. CRP technology is well-suited for controlling release of antimicrobial compounds and antioxidants to prevent food degradation reactions such as microbial growth and lipid oxidation. Advances in CRP technology allow food packaging manufacturers to challenge the development of better functional food packaging systems. This overview examines the most recent developments and technologies of active packaging for applying the food industry. The scope of this article has mainly been focused on controlled releasing systems.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.133-137
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• 1992

A novel oral controlled release tablet which may offer more uniform drug level in the body than simple zero-order was developed. The tablet is composed of three layers; outer film layer, middle part compression-coated hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) matrix layer, and inner core layer. Each layer contains nicardipine HCl as a model drug. In vitro dissolution test showed that the tablet released the drug in clear three steps; a rapid initial release, followed by a constant rate of release, and then a second phase of fast release of drug. The dissolution characteristics could be modified easily by changing the grade of HPMC, thickness of matrix layer, content of methylcellulose in matrix layer, content of active ingredient in each layer. The pH of dissolution medium did not affect the release profile. This three-step release system is expected to raise the blood concentration rapidly to effective level and to maintain effective blood level longer than simple slow-release systems.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.39-44
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• 2006

Tamsulosin or a salt thereof such as its hydrochloride salt has been known to have an adrenaline ${\alpha}$ receptor blocking action for urethra and prostate areas. It has been widely used as a drug which lowers the prostate pressure and improves urinary disturbance accompanied by prostate-grand enlargement, thus for the treatment of prostatic hyperplasia. To avoid dose-dependent side effects of tamsulosin upon oral administration, the development of sustained-release delivery system is essentially required, that can maintain therapeutic drug levels for a longer period of time. The aim of this study was therefore to formulate sustained-release tamsulosin granules and assess their formulation variables. We designed entric coated sustained-release tamsulosin granules for this purpose. Nano-pores in the outer controlled release membrane were needed in order to obtain initial tamsulosin release even in an acidic environment such as gastric region. In our sustained release osmotic granule system, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose in a drug-containing layer was used as a rate controller. The drug-containing granules were coated with hydroxypropylmethylcellulose phthalate (HPMCP) and Eudragit, along with glycerol triacetate as an aqueous nano-pore former. The release of tamsulosin depended heavily on the type of Eudragit such as RS, RL, NE 30D, used in the formulation of controlled release layer. These results obtained clearly suggest that the sustained-release oral delivery system for tamsulosin could be designed with satisfying drug release profile approved by the Korean Food and Drug Administration.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.9-18
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• 1993

Sugar spheres loaded with melatonin (MT) were coated with $Aquacoat^{\circledR}$ to control the release rate of MT over 8 hours. A zero-order release pattern over 8 hours was obtained with 20% coating on 8-10 mesh beads in USP basket dissolution studies. MT in 20% coated beads was quite stable at room temperature with less than 5% MT degraded during 6 months' storage. Dissolution profiles were also unchanged after 6 months. An oral preparation containing MT-loaded uncoated beads for immediate release and 20% coated beads with $Aquacoat^{\circledR}$ for controlled release over 8 hours was evaluated in six human subjects. When total 0.5 mg MT as low dose (immediate release portion of MT, 0.1 mg) was administered to four subjects, average peak plasma MT concentration was reached at about 600 pg/ml and maintained at about 10 pg/ml over 8 hours. Plasma MT concentration-time profiles were similar in shape to computer-simulated profiles. However, maximal plasma MT concentrations were three times greater compared to computer simulated curve. These results suggest that MT dose, ratio of immediate and controlled release MT, and pharmacokinetic parameters selected are adjusted to mimic endogenous MT concentration-time curve. In another study, 0.2 mg MT having 10% of immediate release portion and 80% controlled release portion produced plasma MT concentration-time curve which is more similar to endogenous profiles. A low bioavailability (<20%) may result from extensive first pass metabolism and remaining amounts of MT from controlled beads. A good correlation between plasma MT concentration and urinary excretion rate of 6-sulphatoxymelatonin (6-STMT), a major metabolite of MT was observed. As plasma MT concentration increased, urinary excretion rate of 6-STMT increased concomitantly. The linear relation between plasma MT and urinary excretion rate of 6-STMT was statistically significant. This result suggests that urinary 6-STMT may be used as an index of circadian rhythms of MT in humans.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.145-154
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• 1989

Methyl methacrylate-butyl methacrylate copolymer (MMBM)-povidone (PVP) films were investigated as a potential topical drug delivery system for the controlled release of econazole nitrate as a model drug. The effect of changes in film composition, drug concentration, film thickness, pH and temperature of release medium on the in vitro release of econazole nitrate were studied. The release rate constant was found to be increased with increasing povidone content in dry films. Drug release followed zero-order kinetics in the initial stage and then release rate increased gradually with time, espicially in the films having larger proportions of PVP. The release rate was found to be dependent on drug content, film thickness, the pH and temperature of release medium. Antimicrobial test showed that microbial growth was inhibited markedly with increasing proportions of PVP in films. Also drug content and film thickness affected the antimicrobial activity.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 1993

The purpose of this paper is to explore the possible applicability of alginate beads as an oral controlled release system of polymeric drugs. Cellulase was used as a model polymeric drug. The release of cellulase from alginate beads was moderately affected by the ratio of cellulase to sodium alginate and strongly affected by $CaCl_2$ concentration. However, the release was not particularly affected by the other factors such as sodium alginate concentration and curing time. The drug was not released from alginate beads at pH 1.2, but was released continuously up to 8 hr at pH 6.8. At pH 6.8, the beads were swollen highly up to 3 hr, thereafter, were eroded into the bulk solution up to 6 hr, completely. Drug release from the beads can be caused due to diffusion and erosion of the matrix. Activity of cellulase was reduced when alginate beads containing cellulase were stored in simulated gastric juice. Further investigation would be necessary to improve the acid resistance of the beads. Since the release of cellulase as a model polymeric drug could be controlled by the regulation of the preparation conditions of alginate beads, the alginate beads may be used for a potential oral controlled release system of such polymeric drugs as polypeptide drugs.

• Biomaterials and Biomechanics in Bioengineering
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.13-25
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• 2014

In the current study, a drug-eluting stent coated with biodegradable polymers and sirolimus was developed by using an ultrasonic nanocoater and characterized in aspects of surface smoothness and coating thickness. In addition, in vitro release profiles of sirolimus by changing top coating layer with different biodegradable polymers were investigated. Smooth surfaces with variable thickness could be fabricated by optimizing polymer concentration, flow rate, nozzle-tip distance, gas pressure, various solvents and ultrasonic power. Smooth surface could be generated by using volatile solvents (acetone, chloroform, and methylene chloride) or post-treating with solvent vapor. Coating thickness could be controlled by varying injection volume or polymer concentration, and higher concentration could reduce the coating time while obtaining the same thickness. The thickness measurement was the most effectively performed by a conventional cutting method among three different methods that were investigated in this study. Release profiles of sirolimus were effectively controlled by changing polymers for top layer. PLGA made the release rate 3 times faster than PDLLA and PLLA and all top layers prevented burst release at the initial phase of profiles. Our results will provide useful and informative knowledge for developing drug-eluting stents, especially coated with biodegradable polymers.