Abstract:

A review. Neurotrophic factors, such as the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), are essential for the development and survival of human neurons. Their encapsulation in carrier lipid systems is anticipated to overcome the problems resulting from the pharmacokinetics of peptides in the cerebral circulation. Lipid nanocarriers contg. an omega-3 polyunsatd. fatty acid [eicosapentaenoic acid] (EPA), showing neuroprotective effects, should trigger the BDNF activity. The purpose of this study is to design and characterize self-assembled lipid systems suitable for encapsulation and potentiation of neurotrophic peptide activity and study of multicompartment liq. cryst. formulations in vitro on a human neuronal cell line expressing BDNF receptors. Sterically stabilized nanodispersed lipid systems are prepd. from a PEGylated (polyethylene glycol) liq. cryst. phase in excess water. Such lipid nanovectors, derived by self-assembly, are of ongoing interest thanks to their biocompatible compns. and the relatively low energy input required for their manuf. The latter is an essential factor for the encapsulation of fragile and temp.-sensitive peptide mols. Having induced the differentiation of a human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y, as a model of neurodegeneration, we examine in vitro the expression of the TrkB brain receptor of neurotrophins and the cytotoxicity of the designed multicompartment lipid nanocarriers to neuronal cells. [on SciFinder(R)]