The Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) Translational Research Network: Building and Sustaining Capacity for Multi-Site Basic Biomedical, Clinical and Behavioral Research.

The Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) program was established by the US Congress to support the development of biomedical research infrastructure at minority-serving institutions granting doctoral degrees in the health professions or in a health-related science. RCMI institutions also conduct research on diseases that disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minorities (ie, African Americans/Blacks, American Indians and Alaska Natives, Hispanics, Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders), those of low socioeconomic status, and rural persons. Quantitative metrics, including the numbers of doctoral science degrees granted to underrepresented students, NIH peer-reviewed research funding, peer-reviewed publications, and numbers of racial and ethnic minorities participating in sponsored research, demonstrate that RCMI grantee institutions have made substantial progress toward the intent of the Congressional legislation, as well as the NIH/NIMHD-linked goals of addressing workforce diversity and health disparities. Despite this progress, nationally, many challenges remain, including persistent disparities in research and career development awards to minority investigators. The continuing underrepresentation of minority investigators in NIH-sponsored research across multiple disease areas is of concern, in the face of unrelenting national health inequities. With the collaborative network support by the RCMI Translational Research Network (RTRN), the RCMI community is uniquely positioned to address these challenges through its community engagement and strategic partnerships with non-RCMI institutions. Funding agencies can play an important role by incentivizing such collaborations, and incorporating metrics for research funding that address underrepresented populations, workforce diversity and health equity.

Nonionic surfactant structure on the drug release, formulation and physical properties of ethylcellulose microspheres.

Evaluate the effects of nonionic surfactants Brij 58 and Tween 40 with different structures but similar hydrophilic lipophilic balances (HLBs) on theophylline (TH)-loaded ethylcellulose (EC) microspheres. Microspheres were formulated using ratios of the surfactants with matching HLB values but different chemical-structures at temperatures (22/35 °C) by hydrophobic solvent-emulsion evaporation. Particle size, GMD, drug loading, encapsulation efficiency and dissolution were evaluated. Drug release was determined using the zero- and first-order, Higuchi and Hixson-Crowell models. EC microspheres prepared with surfactant Brij 58 showed discrete, free-flowing spherical particles, solid interiors and increased particle smoothness as temperature increased; those prepared with Tween 40 appeared porous with coarser surface morphology as temperature increased; both were CHLB (Combined HLB) dependent. Dissolution obeyed the Higuchi model drug release for both microspheres prepared with Tween 40 and Brij 58 except for those prepared with Brij 58 at 35 °C, which presented as zero order. The results were ascribed to the different chemical structure of Brij 58 versus Tween 40 and preparation temperature. Surfactant chemical structure is an unreported processing parameter shown here to be important in microsphere formulation. Brij 58 possesses properties unique to its chemical structure that influence pharmaceutical and molecular biopharmaceutical research.

Formulation parameters and release mechanism of theophylline loaded ethyl cellulose microspheres: effect of different dual surfactant ratios.

Altering the combined hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (CHLB), by varying the ratio of dual surfactants, on formulation parameters and in vitro drug release of ethyl cellulose microspheres was examined. Theophylline, a xanthine bronchodilator was used to model controlled release owing to its narrow therapeutic index. Microspheres were prepared using different ratios of dual surfactant in an emulsion-solvent evaporation process. Drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, particle size distribution, and geometric mean diameters were evaluated. Drug release was evaluated using several kinetic models including zero and first order, Higuchi square root, and Hixson-Crowell. Microspheres presented as mostly spherical particles and diffusional drug release was affected by microsphere construction. For this novel, dual surfactant system the microsphere matrix is a hydrophobic polymer and the release rate may be modulated with variation in ratio of dual surfactants. Dissolution data followed the Higuchi model and supports the formation of a monolithic microsphere matrix that releases theophylline by Fickian diffusion. Dual surfactants for preparation of microspheres are an inadequately studied research area that offers another means to modulate particle size and drug release. For the current study microspheres prepared with surfactant ratios of Span 65: Tween 40 between 3:1 and 2:1 provided the best control of size and drug release.

Transdermal permeation of novel n-acetyl-glucosamine/NSAIDs mutual prodrugs.

The current investigation reports skin permeation of three novel mutual prodrugs (MP) which couple n-acetyl-glucosamine with an NSAID, either ketoprofen or ibuprofen. They were evaluated for transdermal permeation using shed snakeskin, and to our knowledge represent the first MPs synthesized for this purpose, although they also could be used for subcutaneous delivery. MPs are defined as two active drug compounds usually connected by an ester linkage. Glucosamine administration has been linked to damaged cartilage repair, and pain relief in joints afflicted with osteoarthritis. NSAIDs are commonly used orally in transdermal creams or gels for joint pain relief. Two novel compounds we report (MP1 and MP2) covalently link ibuprofen and ketoprofen directly to the amide nitrogen of n-acetyl-glucosamine (NAG); the other compound (MP3) covalently links ibuprofen to the amide nitrogen, using a short chain acetyl linker. Permeability studies show that the ketoprofen mutual prodrug (MP2) permeates shed snakeskin more than three times greater than either ibuprofen derivative, while ethanol markedly increases the permeation for all three. The ketoprofen mutual prodrug appears the most likely candidate for transdermal administration; all three mutual prodrugs may be candidates for subcutaneous injection.

Accelerated dissolution testing for controlled release microspheres using the flow-through dissolution apparatus.

Theophylline controlled release capsules (THEO-24 CR) were used as a model system to evaluate accelerated dissolution tests for process and quality control and formulation development of controlled release formulations. Dissolution test acceleration was provided by increasing temperature, pH, flow rate, or adding surfactant. Electron microscope studies on the theophylline microspheres subsequent to each experiment showed that at pH values of 6.6 and 7.6 the microspheres remained intact, but at pH 8.6 they showed deterioration. As temperature was increased from 37-57 degrees C, no change in microsphere integrity was noted. Increased flow rate also showed no detrimental effect on integrity. The effect of increased temperature was determined to be the statistically significant variable.

Transdermal permeability of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine.

Transdermal permeation of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (NAG), a metabolite of glucosamine was examined. Glucosamine salts are nutraceuticals used in the oral treatment of osteoarthritis. Sparse information is available regarding glucosamine and NAG transdermal or percutaneous transport and absorption. Permeability of NAG in various enhancer suspensions was evaluated by using shed snakeskin as a model membrane via Franz-type cell diffusion studies. Negligible permeability was observed for NAG in neat solutions of known membrane permeation enhancers ethanol, oleic acid, isopropyl myristate, and isopropyl palmitate, as well as from saturated solutions of NAG in water or phosphate buffer. Permeability measurements obtained from saturated solutions of NAG in DMSO and phosphate buffer solutions containing ethanol at 2%, 5%, 10%, 25%, and 50% demonstrated excellent permeation. Permeability coefficients of the phosphate buffer/ethanol solutions at 5%, 10%, and 25% were about threefold larger in value as those for saturated DMSO solution, whereas the 2% and 50% solution values were lower.