Encapsulation and in vitro evaluation of amikacin-loaded erythrocytes.

The aim of our present work was to establish the effect of the osmolality of the hypotonic buffer on the encapsulated amount and the in vitro properties of Amikacin-loaded erythrocytes. Amikacin was encapsulated in rat erythrocytes using a hypotonic dialysis method with hypotonic buffers of different osmolalities with mean values around 90 and 150 mOsm/kg. Morphological examination of the ghost erythrocytes was accomplished using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The osmotic fragility of normal and loaded erythrocytes was tested using hypotonic solutions. Evaluation of the hematological parameters of the control and loaded erythrocytes was carried out using a hematology system analyzer. Amikacin release from loaded erythrocytes was tested in autologous plasma at 37°C over a 24-h period. The quantification of Amikacin in loaded erythrocytes and in autologous plasma was performed using an HPLC technique. A higher osmotic fragility of loaded erythrocytes was observed using a low osmolality buffer. Some hem...