Drug Release Property of Lipiodol Emulsion Formed by Glass Membrane Emulsification Device for Transarterial Chemoembolization.

PURPOSE: To evaluate physiochemical characteristics of emulsions formed by a modified emulsification device and to compare in vitro drug release properties of ethiodized oil (Lipiodol)-drug solution emulsion formed by the device and a 3-way-stopcock for conventional transarterial chemoembolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A V-shaped pumping emulsification device with a 100-µm-micropore glass membrane was developed to reduce the resistance of pumping. Epirubicin solution was mixed with Lipiodol (ratio 1:2) with pumping exchanges through the device. The percentage of water-in-oil (W/O) and droplet size distribution and viscosity were evaluated. The in vitro drug release properties were compared between using the device and a 3-way-stopcock. RESULTS: Percentage of W/O was 98.45 ± 0.03%. The median droplet size was 22.58 ± 1.70 µm, and the viscosity was 143.70 ± 12.36 cP. The released epirubicin at 0 min was 1.73 ± 1.05% in the device, whereas 41.02 ± 7.27% in a 3-way-stopcock (P < 0.001). The half-life of release (t50%) of the device was significantly longer than that of a 3-way-stopcock (175 ± 25 vs. 8 ± 6 min, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The V-shaped emulsification device with a 100-µm-micropore glass membrane can form nearly 100% W/O emulsion with homogenous droplet sizes. Emulsion formed by the device showed a slower epirubicin release property compared with that of a 3-way-stopcock.