Synthesis of a Novel Amphiphilic Quaternized Chitosan and Its Distribution in Rats

Abstract

A novel amphiphilic chitosan derivative, N-[(2-hydroxy-3-N,N-dimethylhexadecyl ammonium)propyl]chitosan chloride (N-CQCs), was prepared with a degree of substitution (DS) of 15.58%. N-CQCs was positively charged and its zeta potential was +28.4 mV. The introduction of a long carbon chain with a quaternary ammonium salt group into the chitosan backbone enabled N-CQCs to be lipotropic and hydrophilic. According to the hypothesis of the hypocholesterolemic effect of N-CQCs, its organ distribution in rats was investigated 48 h after administration via gavage using fluorescein isothiocyanate labeling. N-CQCs showed lower cytotoxicity. The plasma half-life of N-CQCs in rats was 48 h and the plasma AUC_{0–48 h} ^P was 371.70 μg/ml per h, suggesting that N-CQCs remained in body for a long time. The results also showed that the accumulation in adipose tissue and gastrointestinal tract was higher than in thymus, kidney, liver and spleen at 48 h after administration. It could be presumed that N-CQCs play an important part in the metabolic process of body fat. Adipose tissue and gastrointestinal tract were the probable interaction sites of N-CQCs and body fat.

Keywords:

• QUATERNIZED CHITOSAN
• ORGAN DISTRIBUTION
• PLASMA CONCENTRATION
• ADIPOSE TISSUE
• CYTOTOXICITY