Techniek 15+: Medicijntoediening - Technische Universiteit Eindhoven

Glucose oxidase-decorated polysulfide particles for glucose-sensitive drug release
Background
Episulfides polymerize with an anionic ring opening mechanism that is not sensitive to the presence of
protic compounds such as alcohols. Due to their hydrophobic nature, episulfides can even polymerize
in water emulsion (Scheme 1).
Scheme 1
Once dispersed in a water
environment,
the monomer can be
polymerized by the addition of
a base, which deprotonates the
initiator (a thiol).
The resulting polymer is a
poly(propylene sulfide) (PPS)
This polymerization can be used for producing stable particles by cross-linking the polymer chains.
The resulting particles are stable in water for months, with diameter tunable between 100-500 nm with
low dispersity; additionally they are rubbery, strongly hydrophobic and oxidizable (giving hydrophilic
particles). Their surface composition is dictated by the choice of the emulsifier, of which is known that
it is irreversibly physically entrapped in the particle.
State of the art
R S
R SH
R S
S
n
N
S
N
S
The emulsifier that guarantees the highest stability to these particles is the triblock copolymer
Pluronic ® terminated with two OH groups (scheme 1).
Bijlage 2 bij aanleermodule Medicijntoediening (docentenhandleiding) m.b.t. medicijnafgifte-systeem voor type II
diabetes patiënten