Liposomes: a new approach to gold therapy?

Gold sodium thiomalate (GST) can be encapsulated in egg phophatidyl choline (and cholesterol) vesicles. Leakage from vesicles at room temperature is negligible allowing storage for at least 6 days prior to use. Intravenous injection of GST encapsulated in egg phosphatidyl choline vesicles results in: 1) delayed blood clearance, 2) enhanced uptake by the liver and spleen, 3) reduced uptake by the kidney, 4) reduced 24 hr urine excretion, and 5) enhanced uptake by inflamed tissues compared to free GST given by the same route. Thus, our preliminary findings suggest that egg phosphatidyl choline vesicles may be a suitable carrier of GST for parenteral administration.