Clarithromycin targeting to lung: characterization, size distribution and in vivo evaluation of the human serum albumin microspheres

Microspheres of clarithromycin have been prepared from human serum albumin using the emulsion polymerization technique. Albumin microspheres containin g the active substance were injected into the tail vein of mice. Mice were sacrificed at intervals and microspheres collected from lungs and livers. T he clarithromycin amount in microspheres was determined by reversed phase h igh performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method from the mice organs. Morphological and histopathological observations were also reported. The mi crosphere accumulation began at 10 min, and increased gradually until 6 h, then a decrease was observed. The microspheres were still present after 24 h. In the fiver sample, no microsphere accumulation was observed at any tim e. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.