Genotoxicity of the poly-D,L-lactide microparticles on the human lymphocytes

Abstract

Particles generated of biodegradable material are extensively investigated as carriers for sustained drug delivery. Studies have been mainly focused on the monitoring of the drug release and of the rate of the particle degradation. However, the influence of the carrier particles on the human immune cells was only rarely addressed. In this work, the influence of the microparticles made of poly-D,L-lactide (PDLLA) on the function of human lymphocytes in a three-day culture was investigated. PDLLA microparticles have been prepared by a modified precipitation method and human lymphocytes were isolated from the blood of healthy volunteers by a Ficoll – density gradient centrifugation. Lymphocyte proliferation test and the cytochalasin B micronucleus test were used to assess the PDLLA particle effect on the lymphocytes. Results showed that PDLLA particles did not influence on the proliferation of the human lymphocytes. On the other hand, changes in the nuclei form, as well as nucleus buddings were observed. Moreover, the appearance of micronuclei could be detected. All together, these results might imply genotoxicity of the PDLLA particles, or some of the chemicals used for the particle preparation/stabilization on the human lymphocytes.