Asparaginase reduces the levels of asparagine in blood, which is an essential amino acid for the proliferation of lymphoblastic malign cells. Asparaginase converts asparagine into aspartic acid and ammonia. The accumulation of ammonia in the bloodstream leads to hyperammonemia, one side effect of asparaginase therapy. The asparaginase in the interface of BSA capsules showed the ability to hydrolyze the asparagine and retain the forming ammonia. The incorporation of Poloxamer 407 in the capsule formulation increased the fixation of ammonia. This capacity to retain ammonia can be due to electrostatic interactions and retention of ammonia at the surface of the capsules. The developed BSA/asparaginase capsules did not cause significant cytotoxic effect on mouse leukemic macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. The new BSA/asparaginase capsules could potentially be used in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia preventing hyperammonemia associated with asparaginase therapy.

Albumin/asparaginase capsules prepared by ultrasound to retain ammonia

254th National Meeting (2017)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.