A BSA nanoparticle study for a new drug delivery system

MACARENA SIRI; MARIANO GRASSELLI; SILVIA DEL V. ALONSO

Caxambú

Congreso; XXVIII Reuniao Annual da FeSBE; 2013

Introduction: Serum albumin is the most abundant plasma protein in blood. It?s major function is to maintain the oncotic pressure needed for proper distribution of body fluids between intravascular compartments and body tissues. It also acts as a plasma carrier by non-specifically binding several hydrophobic steroid hormones and as a transport protein for hemin and fatty acids. A BSA nanoparticle was synthetized by gamma irradiation. Form this a new molecule of a 20 nm size formed by 50 BSA molecules was obtained. Objective: The aim of this work is to start characterising this possible new drug carrier system, due to the fact that it is known that hydrophobic drugs bind to this protein. Methods: Different essays such as, T.E.M, UV- visible, FTIR, pH stability, Drug affinity competition for the carrier and Fluorescence were carried out, as well as toxicity tests in a Zebrafish model. In all of them, molecular BSA and the nanoparticle (BSAn) were compared.Results: Results showed a more stable nanoparticle, with more beta sheet composition in it?s structure. No loss of functionality of the protein was observed. Through the different pH, the BSAn did not change in comparison to it?s molecular form. Regarding the drug competition test, two drugs were used. One was a drug with antitumor effects known as Emodin and the other was Merocyanine 540. It was proved that the nanoparticle of choice has a higher affinity for the Emodin. When only the interaction of the carrier with Merocyanine was studied, results showed that the BSAn had more binding capacity for it than the BSA, and it?s affinity was also greater. Regardind toxicity essays, mobility, malformation, and heartbeat rythm were studied. In the end, it was shown that when alone, both carrier do not present significative differences, whereas, bound to Emodin, a highly toxic drug, the BSAn-Emodin biconjugate, did not present serious collateral effects, and reduced the toxicity of the drug. This was not the same for the BSA-Emodin biconjugate, which present lethal effects on the model of study. Conclusion: We conclude, based on the results, that although further studies are necessary, the BSAn may be a better drug delivery system for highly hydrophobic and toxic drugs for the organism.