Monosialoganglioside GM1 shortens the blood circulation time of liposomes in rats.

Inclusion of monosialoganglioside GM1 into liposomes significantly enhances the circulation time of liposomes in mice. Conversely, intravenously injected GM1-containing liposomes were rapidly removed from the blood circulation and accumulated in the liver and spleen in rats. In rats, increasing the GM1 content in liposomes resulted in more rapid clearance from the blood. Increasing the membrane rigidity of liposomes further increased the liver uptake of GM1-containing liposomes. The activity of GM1 in enhancing the liposome uptake by rat liver appears to be mediated by complement components.