In vivo uptake of polyisobutyl cyanoacrylate nanoparticles by rat liver Kupffer, endothelial, and parenchymal cells.

Polyalkyl cyanoacrylate nanoparticles were previously developed as a biodegradable, ultrafine, solid drug carrier. Distribution studies in the rat showed an intense and rapid hepatic uptake. This liver accumulation appears to represent, to a certain extent, extracellularly bound nanoparticles. During liver perfusion, 15-20% of the liver-associated nanoparticles were washed out. The cellular distribution of strongly cell-associated nanoparticles was determined. At different intervals after injection of radioactive nanoparticles to rats, the cells were isolated according to a recently developed, low-temperature procedure during which processing of the carrier was inhibited. At all tested times, a relatively intense capture by Kupffer cells in comparison with endothelial and especially parenchymal cells was observed. This distribution pattern was not influenced by the size of the nanoparticles (0.08-0.215-micron diameter). This specific interaction of nanoparticles with Kupffer cells opens possibilities for the treatment of some parasitic diseases involving this cell type.