Pharmacokinetics of doxorubicin incorporated in solid lipid nanospheres (SLN)

The pharmacokinetics of doxorubicin incorporated as ion-pair into solid lipid nanospheres (SLN) was compared with that of the commercial solution of the drug. Male albino rats (Wistar-derived strain) were treated i.v. with equivalent doses (6 mg kg(-1)) of two different doxorubicin formulations: an aqueous dispersion of SLN carrying doxorubicin and a commercial doxorubicin solution (Adriablastina(R)). These formulations were injected, under general anaesthesia, through a cannula into the jugular vein and blood samples were collected at 1, 15, 30, 45, 60, 120 and 180 min after administration. After 180 min rats were killed and samples of liver, heart, lung, kidney, spleen and brain were collected. Blood and tissue samples were analysed by a spectrofluorimetric method. The anthracycline concentration in the blood was markedly higher at each point times with the SLN than with the commercial solution. The drug concentration was also higher in the lung, spleen and brain. SLN-treated rats showed a lower doxorubicin concentration in liver, heart and kidney. The results showed that SLN increased the area under the curve (0-180 min) of doxorubicin compared to conventional doxorubicin solution and led to a different body distribution profile. (C) 1999 Academic Press.