Controlled release of a hydrophilic drug from coaxially electrospun polycaprolactone nanofibers.

A recent approach for controlled release of drugs is the production of core-shell fibers via modified coaxial electrospinning where a shell solution which is not fully electrospinnable can be used. In this study, this technique was used for achieving the controlled release of a model hydrophilic drug (ampicillin) which is known to have a low compatibility with the polymer (polycaprolactone). A partially electrospinnable shell fluid (4% (w/v) polycaprolactone (PCL) solution) and a fully electrospinnable core fluid (10% (w/v) PCL, 2% (w/v) ampicillin solution) were used in order to create ampicillin-loaded PCL nanofibers covered by a PCL shield. Scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy images proved that the membranes have core-shell structured nanofibers. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrated that some compatibility might be present between ampicillin and PCL. Finally, drug release studies showed that the drug release kinetics of core-shell products is closer to zero-order kinetics while the drug release kinetics of single electrospinning of the core resulted with serious burst release. Together, these imply that the application area of modified coaxial electrospinning in controlled release could be expanded to polymers and drugs with low compatibility.

Combined use of PAH levels and EROD activities in the determination of PAH pollution in flathead mullet (Mugil cephalus) caught from the West Black Sea coast of Turkey.

The aim of this study was to determine the extent of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) pollution by measuring PAH levels and 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activities in flathead mullet (Mugil cephalus) samples caught from the West Black Sea coast of Turkey. The fish samples were caught in August 2008-2011. The levels of 13 PAHs were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the liver of fish. Most of the measured PAHs had three rings (low molecular weight). The frequencies of detection of PAHs were higher in fish samples caught from Zonguldak Harbour and Gülüç Stream Mouth than those from Sakarya River Mouth, Amasra and Kefken. EROD activities and cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) protein level were also measured in the fish liver microsomes. Highly elevated EROD activities and CYP1A levels were measured in the mullet samples caught from Zonguldak Harbour and Gülüç Stream than those from Amasra and Kefken. The detection of PAHs in the liver of fish samples shows recent exposure to PAHs. The chemical analyses of PAHs and EROD activity results together reflected the extent of PAH pollution in the livers of fish caught from the West Black Sea coast of Turkey. The results indicate that Zonguldak Harbour is the most polluted site in the West Black Sea coast of Turkey.