Research

Chitosan nanoparticle-based neuronal membrane sealing and neuroprotection following acrolein-induced cell injury

Youngnam Cho^1* , Riyi Shi^1,2* and Richard Ben Borgens^1,2

¹  Center for Paralysis Research, School of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA

²  Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA

author email corresponding author email* Contributed equally

Journal of Biological Engineering 2010, 4:2doi:10.1186/1754-1611-4-2

Published:	29 January 2010

Abstract

Background

The highly reactive aldehyde acrolein is a very potent endogenous toxin with a long half-life. Acrolein is produced within cells after insult, and is a central player in slow and progressive "secondary injury" cascades. Indeed, acrolein-biomolecule complexes formed by cross-linking with proteins and DNA are associated with a number of pathologies, especially central nervous system (CNS) trauma and neurodegenerative diseases. Hydralazine is capable of inhibiting or reducing acrolein-induced damage. However, since hydralazine's principle activity is to reduce blood pressure as a common anti-hypertension drug, the possible problems encountered when applied to hypotensive trauma victims have led us to explore alternative approaches. This study aims to evaluate such an alternative - a chitosan nanoparticle-based therapeutic system.

Results

Hydralazine-loaded chitosan nanoparticles were prepared using different types of polyanions and characterized for particle size, morphology, zeta potential value, and the efficiency of hydralazine entrapment and release. Hydralazine-loaded chitosan nanoparticles ranged in size from 300 nm to 350 nm in diameter, and with a tunable, or adjustable, surface charge.

Conclusions

We evaluated the utility of chitosan nanoparticles with an in-vitro model of acrolein-mediated cell injury using PC -12 cells. The particles effectively, and statistically, reduced damage to membrane integrity, secondary oxidative stress, and lipid peroxidation. This study suggests that a chitosan nanoparticle-based therapy to interfere with "secondary" injury may be possible.