PLGA from PolySciTech used in development of Rifampicin-loaded nanoparticles for tuberculosis treatment with reduced liver toxicity

Some medicines are limited in their usefulness due to their organ-specific toxic side-effects. Notably, rifampicin, an antibiotic against tuberculosis, has liver toxicity which limits the quantity which can be prescribed. Recently, researchers at Assiut University (Egypt) and University of Cincinnati (USA) used PLGA (AP104) from PolySciTech (www.polyscitech.com) to provide for nanoparticle delivery system of rifampicin with reduced liver toxicity. This research holds promise to improve treatment of tuberculosis. Read more: Hetta, Helal F., Esraa A. Ahmed, Ahmed G. Hemdan, Heba EM El-Deek, Saida Abd-Elregal, and Noura H. Abd Ellah. "Modulation of rifampicin-induced hepatotoxicity using poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles: a study on rat and cell culture models." Nanomedicine 0 (2020). https://www.futuremedicine.com/doi/abs/10.2217/nnm-2020-0001 

“Aim: Hepatotoxicity is the most serious adverse effect of rifampicin (RIF). We aimed to investigate the potential hepatoprotective effect of mannose-functionalized poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)(PLGA)/RIF nanoparticles (NPs) in rats as a possible promising approach to minimize RIF-induced hepatotoxicity. Materials & methods: Mannose-functionalized PLGA/RIF NPs were fabricated and characterized in vitro, then the hepatoprotective effect of optimized NPs was studied on rat and cell culture models. Results: Following intraperitoneal administration of RIF NPs into rats, highly significant differences in levels of serum transaminases and oxidative stress markers, associated with significant differences in expression of Bax and Bcl-2 genes between NPs- and free RIF-treated groups, revealing the hepatoprotective potential of NPs. Conclusion: RIF NPs may represent a promising therapeutic approach for tuberculosis via reducing dose frequency and consequently, RIF-induced hepatotoxicity. Keywords: hepatotoxicity mannose nanoparticles PLGA rifampicin tuberculosis”