Comparing encapsulation efficiency and ultrasound-triggered release for protein between phospholipid-based microbubbles and liposomes.

This work was to compare the encapsulation efficiency and ultrasound-triggered release for protein between microbubbles and liposomes. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as a model. Final ratios between BSA and HPC in microbubbles and liposomes were 1:5, 1:7 and 1:10, respectively. Morphologic characteristics and contrast enhancement of loaded microbubbles and liposomes were measured. Encapsulation efficiency and ultrasound-stimulated release profile were detected. The mean size of loaded microbubbles and liposomes was 3.4 microm and 1.7 microm, respectively. Encapsulation efficiency of microbubbles had an inverse relationship with the ratio between BSA and HPC, while loaded liposomes remained nearly unchanged in the designed range of the ratio between BSA and HPC. Microbubbles resulted in significant enhancement of CnTi images. After ultrasound, more than 90% of the entrapped BSA was released from microbubbles, but less than 5% of BSA released from liposomes. Microbubbles are a promising delivery system for proteins.