INTRAARTICULAR THERAPY OF EXPERIMENTAL ARTHRITIS WITH A DERIVATIVE OFTRIAMCINOLONE ACETONIDE INCORPORATED IN LIPOSOMES

Triamcinolone acetonide-21-palmitate was synthesized and incorporated into liposomes for intra-articular treatment of an experimentally-indu ced arthritis in the knee joints of rabbits. The liposomal formulation was more efficient than free triamcinolone acetonide in solution in s uppressing the arthritis. Using radioactive tracers, it was found that triamcinolone acetonide-21-palmitate incorporated into liposomes was retained in the articular cavity, together with the liposomal lipids, for a much longer period than free triamcinolone acetonide, and this c orrelated with its anti-inflammatory effect.