SummaryIn this study, we aimed at improving the therapeutic index of tissue- type Plasminogen Activator (t-PA) as thrombolytic agent in the treatment of myocardial infarction. Liposome-encapsulated t-PA was tested in a rabbit jugular vein thrombosis model: administration of free t-PA (t-PA) as a bolus injection in the ear vein was compared to a similar administration of liposomal t-PA (t-PA-lip), liposomal t-PA in plasminogen-coated liposomes (Plg-t-PA-lip), a mixture of free t-PA and empty liposomes (t-PA+empty lip) and a saline-blank (blank) in terms of thrombolytic activity and side effects.Liposomal t-PA (t-PA-lip/Plg-t-PA-lip) showed a significantly better thrombolysis efficiency than equimolar doses of free t-PA (t-PA/ t-PA+ empty lip): about 0.24 mg/kg of liposomal t-PA practically equalled the lysis-activity of a dose of free t-PA of 1.0 mg/kg (t-PAlmg/kg). On the other hand, liposome encapsulation did not affect the systemic activation of alpha2-antiplasmin and plasminogen by t-PA.We conclude that for this model an improvement in thrombolytic efficacy of t-PA is achieved by liposome encapsulation of t-PA. As t-PA-lip and Plg-t-PA-lip -treatment induced similar results, targeting of liposomal t-PA by coupled glu-Plg remains a topic to be optimized in future studies.
almost quantitative t-PA entrapment in liposomes can be achieved by selecting the proper milieu and inducing a strong interaction between t-PA and bilayer.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.