Interaction of dispersed cubic phases with blood components.

The interaction of aqueous nanoparticle dispersions, e.g. based on monoolein/poloxamer 407, with blood components is an important topic concerning especially the parenteral way of administration. Therefore, the influence of human and porcine plasma on dispersed cubic phases was investigated. Particle size measurements of mixtures with plasma indicated a decrease in particle size. In cryo-transmission electron micrographs, different structures could be found, which arose from the dispersed cubic phases under plasma contact. Non-cubic structures on the particle surface were decomposed first. Several phase transitions with the formation of smaller and sometimes larger particle fractions were observed beside remaining cubic structures. A very low but detectable hemolytic activity was found for the dispersed cubic phases based on monoolein and poloxamer 407, when compared to the hemolytic activity of cubic phases based on monoolein and poloxamer 188, on soy phosphatidylcholine, glycerol dioleate and polysorbate 80 or the parenteral fat emulsion Lipofundin MCT 20%.