Synthesis and Evaluation of Low Molecular Weight Chitosan-Acetylcysteine Conjugate for Renal Targeting Therapy
CAO Xiao-jing1, CAI Zhe1, TAN Xue-ying2*
1.The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China; 2. Ningbo University Affiliated Yangming Hospital, Yuyao 315400, China
Abstract��OBJECTIVE To synthesize low molecular weight chitosan-acetylcysteine (LMWC-NAC) conjugate and investigate its renal targeting profile and the rapeutic effects in model mice with acute kidney injury (AKI).METHODS NAC was conjugated to LMWC by EDC/NHS reaction and the LMWC-NAC conjugate was identified by 1H-NMR. The cellular uptake of LMWC-NAC conjugate and megalin receptor involved in this process was investigated in vitro. In addition, the tissue distribution of ICG-labelled LMWC-NAC conjugate was investigated in nude mice. AKI were induced by LPS intraperitoneal injection (20 mg��kg-1).The parameters including Scr, BUN, inflammatory factors (TNF-�� and IL-1��),and oxidative stress (MDA) were determined and renal histology was observed.RESULTS LMWC-NAC conjugate was successfully synthesized by the amide interaction.The in vitro studies demonstrated that the uptake of LMWC-NAC conjugate was mediated by the megalin receptor on HK-2 cells, and the tissue distribution experiment indicated that LMWC-NAC conjugate was mainly accumulated in the kidney.LMWC-NAC conjugate significantly suppressed Scr, BUN, inflammatory factors and oxidative stress (P<0.01) and improved kidney injury. CONCLUSION LMWC-NAC conjugate showed good renal targeting profile and effect in recovering renal functions, which indicates the potential of LMWC-NAC conjugate as a safe and efficient drug delivery system for the treatment of AKI.
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2017, Vol. 52 
