%0 Journal Article
%T Chitosan nanoparticle-based neuronal membrane sealing and neuroprotection following acrolein-induced cell injury
%A Youngnam Cho
%A Riyi Shi
%A Richard Ben Borgens
%J Journal of Biological Engineering
%D 2010
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1754-1611-4-2
%X Hydralazine-loaded chitosan nanoparticles were prepared using different types of polyanions and characterized for particle size, morphology, zeta potential value, and the efficiency of hydralazine entrapment and release. Hydralazine-loaded chitosan nanoparticles ranged in size from 300 nm to 350 nm in diameter, and with a tunable, or adjustable, surface charge.We evaluated the utility of chitosan nanoparticles with an in-vitro model of acrolein-mediated cell injury using PC -12 cells. The particles effectively, and statistically, reduced damage to membrane integrity, secondary oxidative stress, and lipid peroxidation. This study suggests that a chitosan nanoparticle-based therapy to interfere with "secondary" injury may be possible.Substantial cellular injury caused by acute mechanical, chemical, or biological insult is initially associated with an instantaneous loss of plasma membrane integrity. This facilitates the unregulated exchange of intracellular/extracellular ion species, and subsequently leads to cell death [1,2]. The failure of this functional barrier further induces incomplete oxygen metabolism within the cell, and accelerates the production of highly reactive oxygen species (so-called "free radicals") such as superoxide anions, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals. The biochemical reactivity of such reactive oxygen species (ROS) triggers the deterioration of lipids within the inner domain of the cell membrane (lipid peroxidation or LPO) producing endogenous toxins composed of mainly aldehydes - especially acrolein [3-7]. Unfortunately, the continuing production of toxic aldehydes feed back to attack mitochondria, yet untouched healthy membrane, and pass through intact cell membranes to attack even nearby healthy cells. As a consequence, the initial loss of membrane integrity in response to the "primary injury" is the crucial step initiating a "secondary injury" process in the nervous system. Unchecked, these self - reinforcing processes influence fu
%U http://www.jbioleng.org/content/4/1/2