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Missouri University of Science and Technology

Liposomal delivery of PDE5 inhibitors and UT-15C to human erythrocytes

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>"Previous studies have shown that the controlled release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) from human erythrocytes is an important mechanism for the regulation of vascular caliber. However, erythrocytes from patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) fail to release ATP in response to the physiological stimuli of exposure to low oxygen tension or mechanical deformation of a magnitude these cells would encounter in the pulmonary circulation. This defect could be a significant contributor to the increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) that is the cause of the pathological increase in vascular pressures in humans with PAH.</p><p>One important approach to the treatment of PAH is to reduce PVR with the administration of drugs such as prostacyclin or its analogs and phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. These medications can be used alone or in combination and may have serious unwanted side effects that are additive when used in combination.</p><p>Here an alternative drug delivery technique using drug-loaded liposomes is investigated that may allow for increased drug efficacy and, possibly, reduced unwanted side effects. Liposomes can encapsulate drugs and deliver them directly to specific cells. This research describes the successful incorporation and delivery of a clinically-used PDE5 inhibitor, tadalafil, via liposomes, to human erythrocytes to increase ATP release from erythrocytes exposed to the prostacyclin analog, UT-15C. This demonstrates the effectiveness of this technique and forms the basis for future <i>in vivo</i> trials to improve drug delivery and patient quality of life. Liposomal delivery, currently underutilized clinically, could represent a new treatment paradigm for patients with circulation issues"--Abstract, page iii.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Ph. D. in Chemistry
Grantor
Missouri University of Science and Technology

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Bowles, Elizabeth Anne

Subjects

dc:subject × 7

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:scholarsmine.mst.edu:doctoral_dissertations-3534

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Base URL
scholarsmine.mst.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Bowles, Elizabeth Anne. Liposomal delivery of PDE5 inhibitors and UT-15C to human erythrocytes. Missouri University of Science and Technology, https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/doctoral_dissertations/2529