Improvement of radiosensitive liquid-core microcapsules by Yttrium polymerization

Microcapsules comprising alginate and hyaluronic acid that can be decomposed by radiation are under development. Previously, we observed that radiation efficiently decomposes microcapsules comprising alginate and hyaluronic acid in the ratio 2:1 by weight. In this study, Yttrium (Y) was added to these microcapsules to improve their decomposition by radiation. Hyaluronic acid solutions (0.1% weight/volume) were mixed into 0.2% alginate solution, and carboplatin (0.2 mmol) was added; the resultant was used for capsule preparation. Capsules were prepared by spraying the material into mixtures of 4.34% CaCl2 solution supplemented with Y at final concentrations from 0 to 1.0x10-2%. These capsules were irradiated by a single dose of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, or 2 Gy with 60Co γ-rays. Immediately after irradiation, we observed the release of the core contents of the microcapsule using a micro Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) camera. The mean diameter of the microcapsules was 37.3±7.8 μm. Maximum content of radiation-induced release was observed for liquid-core microcapsules prepared by polymerization in a 4.34% CaCl2 solution supplemented with 5.5x10-3%Y. (author)