Biodistribution of free and encapsulated 99mTc-fluconazole in an infection model induced by Candida albicans.

BACKGROUND: Candida spp is an etiologic agent of fungal infections in hospitals and resistance to treatment with antifungals has been extensively reported. Thus, it is very important to develop formulations that increase effectiveness with low toxicity. In this sense, nanocarriers have been investigated, once they modify drug biodistribution profile. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the biodistribution of free and encapsulated 99mTc-fluconazole into nanocapsules (NCs) in an experimental immunosuppressed murine model of Candida albicans infection. METHODS: Fluconazole was radiolabeled with technetium-99 metastable (99mTc) and encapsulated into conventional (99mTc-Fluconazole-PLA-POLOX) and surface-modified (99mTc-Fluconazole-PLA-PEG) NCs by the interfacial deposition of the preformed biodegradable polymer [poly (D,L-lactic acid) (PLA) and PLA-PEG (polyethyleneglycol)] followed by solvent evaporation. The size distribution and zeta potential of the NCs preparations were determined in a Zetasizer by photon correlation spectroscopy and laser Doppler anemometry, respectively. Free and encapsulated 99mTc-fluconazole were administered intravenously in immunosuppressed mice bearing a local infection induced by Candida Albicans inoculation in the right thigh muscle. At pre-established time intervals, tissues and organs of interest were removed and radioactivity was measured in an automatic gamma radiation counter. RESULTS: The NCs diameter was between 200 and 400 nm with negative zeta potential values. Free 99mTc-fluconazole was more rapidly eliminated by the renal system compared to the encapsulated drug in NCs, which remained longer in blood circulation. The uptake of conventional NCs by mononuclear phagocyte system organs was higher than the one demonstrated by the surface-modified NCs. Both NCs remained longer in the infectious focus when compared to free 99mTc-fluconazole, but the results did not show a significant difference between NC formulations. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that these NCs might represent a therapeutic alternative for the treatment of candidiasis, once they remain more time in the infectious focus, allowing high retention of 99mTc-fluconazole at this site.

Release profiles and morphological characterization by atomic force microscopy and photon correlation spectroscopy of 99mTechnetium-fluconazole nanocapsules.

Several classes of antifungal have been employed in candidiasis treatment, but patients with advanced immunodeficiency can present unsatisfactory results after therapy. In these cases, high doses of drugs or the use of multiple agents are sometimes used, and hence increasing the risk of serious side effects. Considering theses difficulties, the encapsulation of antifungal agents in nanoparticulate carriers has been used with the objective of modifying the pharmacokinetic of drugs resulting in more efficient treatments with less side effects. The purpose of this work was the preparation, characterization and the investigation of the release profiles of radiolabeled fluconazole nanocapsules. The size, homogeneity and zeta potential of NC preparations were determined with a Zetasizer 3000HS. The morphology and the structural organization were evaluated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The release study in vitro of NC was evaluated in physiologic solution with or without 70% mouse plasma. The labeling yield of fluconazole with 99mTc was 94% and the radiolabeled drug was stable within 24h period. The encapsulation percentage of 99mTc-fluconazole in PLA-POLOX NC and PLA-PEG NC was approximately of 30%. The average diameter calculated by photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS) varied from 236 to 356 nm, while the average diameter determined by AFM varied from 238 to 411 nm. The diameter/height relation decreased significantly when 25% glutaraldehyde was used for NC fixation on mica. The zeta potential varied from -55 to -69 nm and surface-modified NC showed lower absolute values than conventional NC. The in vitro release of 99mTc-fluconazole in plasma medium of the conventional and surface-modified NC was greater than in saline. The drug release in plasma medium from conventional NC was faster than for surface-modified NC. The results obtained in this work suggest that the nanocapsules containing fluconazole could be used to identify infectious foci, due to the properties, such as size, zeta potential and controlled release of (99m)Tc-fluconazole. The surface-modified nanocapsules could constitute a long-circulating intravenous formulation of fluconazole for treating sepsis caused by disseminated form of candidiasis. However, in vivo studies should be considered and are under investigation.