Receptor-Mediated Delivery of Astaxanthin-Loaded Nanoparticles to Neurons: An Enhanced Potential for Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Treatment

Zong-qi You; Qi Wu; Xiao-ming Zhou; Xiang-sheng Zhang; Bin Yuan; Li-li Wen; Wei-dong Xu; Sheng Cui; Xiang-long Tang; Xin Zhang; Xin Zhang; Xin Zhang

doi:10.3389/fnins.2019.00989

Frontiers in Neuroscience (Sep 2019)

Receptor-Mediated Delivery of Astaxanthin-Loaded Nanoparticles to Neurons: An Enhanced Potential for Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Treatment

Zong-qi You,
Qi Wu,
Xiao-ming Zhou,
Xiang-sheng Zhang,
Bin Yuan,
Li-li Wen,
Wei-dong Xu,
Sheng Cui,
Xiang-long Tang,
Xin Zhang,
Xin Zhang,
Xin Zhang

Affiliations

Zong-qi You: Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
Qi Wu: Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
Xiao-ming Zhou: Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
Xiang-sheng Zhang: Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
Bin Yuan: Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
Li-li Wen: Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
Wei-dong Xu: Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Southern Medical University (Guangzhou), Nanjing, China
Sheng Cui: College of Material Sciences and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
Xiang-long Tang: College of Material Sciences and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
Xin Zhang: Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
Xin Zhang: Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
Xin Zhang: Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2019.00989
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 13

Abstract

Read online

Astaxanthin (ATX) is a carotenoid that exerts strong anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory property deriving from its highly unsaturated molecular structures. However, the low stability and solubility of ATX results in poor bioavailability, which markedly hampers its application as therapeutic agent in clinic advancement. This study investigated a promising way of transferrin conjugated to poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG)-encapsulated ATX nanoparticles (ATX-NPs) on targeted delivery and evaluated the possible mechanism underlying neuroprotection capability. As a result, the ATX integrated into nanocarrier presented both well water-dispersible and biocompatible, primely conquering its limitations. More than that, the transferrin-containing ATX-NPs exhibited enhanced cellular uptake efficiency than that of ATX-NPs without transferrin conjugated in primary cortical neurons. Additionally, compared to free ATX, transferrin-containing ATX-NPs with lower ATX concentration showed powerful neuroprotective effects on OxyHb-induced neuronal damage. Taken together, the improved bioavailability and enhanced neuroprotective effects enabled ATX-NPs as favorable candidates for targeted delivery and absorption of ATX. We believe that these in vitro findings will provide insights for advancement of subarachnoid hemorrhage therapy.

Published in Frontiers in Neuroscience

ISSN: 1662-4548 (Print); 1662-453X (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
Website: http://www.frontiersin.org/neuroscience

About the journal

Abstract

Keywords