Figures & data
Table 1 Molecular weights, particle size, TEM and phycocyanin-loading capacity of PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI)
Figure 1 Cumulative releasing profile of phycocyanin from phycocyanin/PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI).
Abbreviation: PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI), poly(ethylene glycol)-b-(poly(l-glutamic acid)-g-polyethylenimine).
![Figure 1 Cumulative releasing profile of phycocyanin from phycocyanin/PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI).Abbreviation: PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI), poly(ethylene glycol)-b-(poly(l-glutamic acid)-g-polyethylenimine).](/cms/asset/7450422d-65d6-4a60-8ac4-b39a56abe7ea/dijn_a_190938_f0001_c.jpg)
Figure 2 Histopathologic change of liver injury.
Notes: Light microscopy images (×400) in Sham group (A), I/R group (B), phycocyanin group (C) and phycocyanin/PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI) group (D), respectively. Quantitative injury scores, expressed as the mean ± SD, are shown in (E). *Significant increase relative to the Sham group (P<0.01). **Significant decrease relative to the I/R group (P<0.01). ***Significant decrease relative to the I/R group (P<0.01).
Abbreviation: PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI), poly(ethylene glycol)-b-(poly(l-glutamic acid)-g-polyethylenimine).
![Figure 2 Histopathologic change of liver injury.Notes: Light microscopy images (×400) in Sham group (A), I/R group (B), phycocyanin group (C) and phycocyanin/PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI) group (D), respectively. Quantitative injury scores, expressed as the mean ± SD, are shown in Figure 4 (E). *Significant increase relative to the Sham group (P<0.01). **Significant decrease relative to the I/R group (P<0.01). ***Significant decrease relative to the I/R group (P<0.01).Abbreviation: PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI), poly(ethylene glycol)-b-(poly(l-glutamic acid)-g-polyethylenimine).](/cms/asset/008efd6d-a7f1-4a37-b471-a072c1970e61/dijn_a_190938_f0002_c.jpg)
Figure 3 The activities of ALT and AST on HI/RIPII for different groups of rats.
Notes: The blood of Sham, I/R, phycocyanin and phycocyanin/PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI) groups of rats were collected 12 hours after reperfusion and the activities of AST and ALT measured. Results are expressed as mean ± SD. *Significant increase from the Sham group (P<0.01). **Significant decrease from the I/R group (P<0.01). ***Significant decrease from the I/R group (P<0.01).
Abbreviations: I/R, ischemia/reperfusion; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, amino-transferase; HI/RIPII, hepatic ischemia/reperfusion-induced pancreatic islets injury; PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI), poly(ethylene glycol)-b-(poly(l-glutamic acid)-g-polyethylenimine).
![Figure 3 The activities of ALT and AST on HI/RIPII for different groups of rats.Notes: The blood of Sham, I/R, phycocyanin and phycocyanin/PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI) groups of rats were collected 12 hours after reperfusion and the activities of AST and ALT measured. Results are expressed as mean ± SD. *Significant increase from the Sham group (P<0.01). **Significant decrease from the I/R group (P<0.01). ***Significant decrease from the I/R group (P<0.01).Abbreviations: I/R, ischemia/reperfusion; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, amino-transferase; HI/RIPII, hepatic ischemia/reperfusion-induced pancreatic islets injury; PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI), poly(ethylene glycol)-b-(poly(l-glutamic acid)-g-polyethylenimine).](/cms/asset/470845c3-8147-47bf-a3e9-32eba6cd7373/dijn_a_190938_f0003_c.jpg)
Figure 4 Histopathologic change of pancreatic islet tissues damage.
Notes: Light microscopy images (×400) in Sham group (A), I/R group (B), phycocyanin group (C) and phycocyanin/PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI) group (D), respectively. Quantitative injury scores, expressed as the mean ± SD, are shown in (E). *Significant increase relative to the Sham group (P<0.01). **Significant decrease relative to the I/R group (P<0.01). ***Significant decrease relative to the I/R group (P<0.01).
Abbreviation: PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI), poly(ethylene glycol)-b-(poly(l-glutamic acid)-g-polyethylenimine).
![Figure 4 Histopathologic change of pancreatic islet tissues damage.Notes: Light microscopy images (×400) in Sham group (A), I/R group (B), phycocyanin group (C) and phycocyanin/PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI) group (D), respectively. Quantitative injury scores, expressed as the mean ± SD, are shown in Figure 6 (E). *Significant increase relative to the Sham group (P<0.01). **Significant decrease relative to the I/R group (P<0.01). ***Significant decrease relative to the I/R group (P<0.01).Abbreviation: PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI), poly(ethylene glycol)-b-(poly(l-glutamic acid)-g-polyethylenimine).](/cms/asset/39c011d8-727c-4aa7-9779-809e6538c798/dijn_a_190938_f0004_c.jpg)
Figure 5 Blood glucose (A), blood insulin (B) and insulin secretion index (C) on HI/RIPII for different groups of rats.
Notes: The blood of Sham, I/R, phycocyanin and phycocyanin/PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI) groups of rats were collected 12 hours after reperfusion and the activities of AST and ALT measured. Results are expressed as mean ± SD. (A) *Significant increase from the Sham group (P<0.01). **Significant decrease from the I/R group (P<0.01). ***Significant decrease from the I/R group (P<0.01). (B) *Significant increase from the Sham group (P<0.01). **Significant decrease from I/R group (P<0.01). ***Significant decrease from I/R groups (P<0.01). (C) *Significant decrease from the Sham group (P<0.01). **Significant increase from the I/R group (P<0.01). ***Significant increase from the I/R group (P<0.01).
Abbreviations: I/R, ischemia/reperfusion; AST, aminotransferase; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI), poly(ethylene glycol)-b-(poly(l-glutamic acid)-g-polyethylenimine).
![Figure 5 Blood glucose (A), blood insulin (B) and insulin secretion index (C) on HI/RIPII for different groups of rats.Notes: The blood of Sham, I/R, phycocyanin and phycocyanin/PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI) groups of rats were collected 12 hours after reperfusion and the activities of AST and ALT measured. Results are expressed as mean ± SD. (A) *Significant increase from the Sham group (P<0.01). **Significant decrease from the I/R group (P<0.01). ***Significant decrease from the I/R group (P<0.01). (B) *Significant increase from the Sham group (P<0.01). **Significant decrease from I/R group (P<0.01). ***Significant decrease from I/R groups (P<0.01). (C) *Significant decrease from the Sham group (P<0.01). **Significant increase from the I/R group (P<0.01). ***Significant increase from the I/R group (P<0.01).Abbreviations: I/R, ischemia/reperfusion; AST, aminotransferase; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI), poly(ethylene glycol)-b-(poly(l-glutamic acid)-g-polyethylenimine).](/cms/asset/e703fb41-d828-4371-ab90-d6cef2248e8c/dijn_a_190938_f0005_c.jpg)
Figure 6 Blood insulin (A) and metabolic rate of glucose (B) on hyperglycemic clamp test.
Notes: The blood of Sham, I/R, phycocyanin and phycocyanin/PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI) groups of rats were collected after hyperglycemic clamp test and blood insulin level and metabolic rate of glucose measured. Results are expressed as mean ± SD. (A) *Significant decrease from the Sham group (P<0.01). **Significant increase from the I/R group (P<0.01). ***Significant increase from the I/R group (P<0.01). (B) *Significant decrease from the Sham group (P<0.01). **Significant increase from the I/R group (P<0.01). ***Significant increase from I/R group (P<0.01).
Abbreviation: PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI), poly(ethylene glycol)-b-(poly(l-glutamic acid)-g-polyethylenimine).
![Figure 6 Blood insulin (A) and metabolic rate of glucose (B) on hyperglycemic clamp test.Notes: The blood of Sham, I/R, phycocyanin and phycocyanin/PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI) groups of rats were collected after hyperglycemic clamp test and blood insulin level and metabolic rate of glucose measured. Results are expressed as mean ± SD. (A) *Significant decrease from the Sham group (P<0.01). **Significant increase from the I/R group (P<0.01). ***Significant increase from the I/R group (P<0.01). (B) *Significant decrease from the Sham group (P<0.01). **Significant increase from the I/R group (P<0.01). ***Significant increase from I/R group (P<0.01).Abbreviation: PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI), poly(ethylene glycol)-b-(poly(l-glutamic acid)-g-polyethylenimine).](/cms/asset/81a8e82a-7185-4e4f-a5f8-1e39c46235f6/dijn_a_190938_f0006_c.jpg)
Figure 7 The activity of SOD and the level of MDA on HI/RIPII for different groups of rats.
Notes: The SOD activity and the MDA level of Sham, I/R, phycocyanin and phycocyanin/PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI) groups of rats were measured 12 hours after reperfusion. Results are expressed as mean ± SD. (A) *Significant decrease from the Sham group (P<0.01). **Significant increase from the I/R group (P<0.01). ***Significant increase from the I/R group (P<0.01). (B) *Significant increase from the Sham group (P<0.01). **Significant decrease from the I/R group (P<0.01). ***Significant decrease from the I/R group (P<0.01).
Abbreviations: I/R, ischemia/reperfusion; HI/RIPII, hepatic ischemia/reperfusion-induced pancreatic islets injury; MDA, malondialdehyde; PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI), poly(ethylene glycol)-b-(poly(l-glutamic acid)-g-polyethylenimine); SOD, superoxide dismutase.
![Figure 7 The activity of SOD and the level of MDA on HI/RIPII for different groups of rats.Notes: The SOD activity and the MDA level of Sham, I/R, phycocyanin and phycocyanin/PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI) groups of rats were measured 12 hours after reperfusion. Results are expressed as mean ± SD. (A) *Significant decrease from the Sham group (P<0.01). **Significant increase from the I/R group (P<0.01). ***Significant increase from the I/R group (P<0.01). (B) *Significant increase from the Sham group (P<0.01). **Significant decrease from the I/R group (P<0.01). ***Significant decrease from the I/R group (P<0.01).Abbreviations: I/R, ischemia/reperfusion; HI/RIPII, hepatic ischemia/reperfusion-induced pancreatic islets injury; MDA, malondialdehyde; PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI), poly(ethylene glycol)-b-(poly(l-glutamic acid)-g-polyethylenimine); SOD, superoxide dismutase.](/cms/asset/09b44072-27af-4e1a-bf19-c6c3e42c26b0/dijn_a_190938_f0007_c.jpg)
Figure 8 Apoptosis evaluation.
Notes: (A–E) The islet tissues of Sham, I/R, phycocyanin and phycocyanin/PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI) groups of rats were collected 12 hours after reperfusion and the apoptosis measured. Results are expressed as mean ± SD. *Significant increase from the Sham group (P<0.01). **Significant decrease from the I/R group (P<0.01). ***Significant decrease from the I/R group (P<0.01).
Abbreviations: I/R, ischemia/reperfusion; PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI), poly(ethylene glycol)-b-(poly(l-glutamic acid)-g-polyethylenimine).
![Figure 8 Apoptosis evaluation.Notes: (A–E) The islet tissues of Sham, I/R, phycocyanin and phycocyanin/PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI) groups of rats were collected 12 hours after reperfusion and the apoptosis measured. Results are expressed as mean ± SD. *Significant increase from the Sham group (P<0.01). **Significant decrease from the I/R group (P<0.01). ***Significant decrease from the I/R group (P<0.01).Abbreviations: I/R, ischemia/reperfusion; PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI), poly(ethylene glycol)-b-(poly(l-glutamic acid)-g-polyethylenimine).](/cms/asset/d13249eb-6b96-43e0-8b0b-3996618fdd85/dijn_a_190938_f0008_c.jpg)
Figure 9 ROSexpression.
Notes: (A–D) The islet tissues of Sham, I/R, phycocyanin and phycocyanin/PEG-b- (PG-g-PEI) groups of rats were collected 12 hours after reperfusion and the ROSexpression measured. The ROS expression is significantly higher in the I/R group than in the Sham group; the ROSexpression is lower in the phycocyanin group than in the I/R group; the ROS expression is significantly lower in the phycocyanin/P group than in the I/Rgroup.
Abbreviations: PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI), poly(ethylene glycol)-b-(poly(l-glutamic acid)-g-polyethylenimine); ROS, reactive oxygen species.
![Figure 9 ROSexpression.Notes: (A–D) The islet tissues of Sham, I/R, phycocyanin and phycocyanin/PEG-b- (PG-g-PEI) groups of rats were collected 12 hours after reperfusion and the ROSexpression measured. The ROS expression is significantly higher in the I/R group than in the Sham group; the ROSexpression is lower in the phycocyanin group than in the I/R group; the ROS expression is significantly lower in the phycocyanin/P group than in the I/Rgroup.Abbreviations: PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI), poly(ethylene glycol)-b-(poly(l-glutamic acid)-g-polyethylenimine); ROS, reactive oxygen species.](/cms/asset/165a4bef-eab7-4cfe-9031-3086cf869fff/dijn_a_190938_f0009_c.jpg)
Scheme 1 The structure of phycocyanin/PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI).
Abbreviations: mPEG-NH2, methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) amine; PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI), poly(ethylene glycol)-b-(poly(l-glutamic acid)-g-polyethylenimine).
![Scheme 1 The structure of phycocyanin/PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI).Abbreviations: mPEG-NH2, methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) amine; PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI), poly(ethylene glycol)-b-(poly(l-glutamic acid)-g-polyethylenimine).](/cms/asset/236df906-13a4-4522-bcb4-6d27e50b5b2c/dijn_a_190938_f0010_c.jpg)
Figure S1 The synthesis of PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI).
Abbreviations: BLG, γ-benzyl l-glutamate; BLG-NCA, γ-benzyl l-glutamate-N-carboxyanhydride; mPEG-NH2, methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) amine; PBLG, poly(γ-benzyl l-glutamate); PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI), poly(ethylene glycol)-b-(poly(l-glutamic acid)-g-polyethylenimine).
![Figure S1 The synthesis of PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI).Abbreviations: BLG, γ-benzyl l-glutamate; BLG-NCA, γ-benzyl l-glutamate-N-carboxyanhydride; mPEG-NH2, methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) amine; PBLG, poly(γ-benzyl l-glutamate); PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI), poly(ethylene glycol)-b-(poly(l-glutamic acid)-g-polyethylenimine).](/cms/asset/1a35a297-5eda-47c7-9776-8eba6805cb28/dijn_a_190938_sf0001_b.jpg)
Figure S2 Characterization of PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI) and phycocyanin/PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI).
Notes: (A) 1H NMR spectra of PEG-b-PBLG (a) and PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI) (b); (B) TEM image of PEG-b-PBLG and phycocyanin/PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI); (C) cellular viability of HIT-T15 cells cultured with different concentrations of PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI); (D) diameter of PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI) (left) and phycocyanin/PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI) complexes (right) in PB.
Abbreviations: 1H NMR, 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance; PBLG, poly(γ-benzyl l-glutamate); PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI), poly(ethylene glycol)-b-(poly(l-glutamic acid)-g-polyethyl-enimine); TEM, transmission electron microscopy.
![Figure S2 Characterization of PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI) and phycocyanin/PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI).Notes: (A) 1H NMR spectra of PEG-b-PBLG (a) and PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI) (b); (B) TEM image of PEG-b-PBLG and phycocyanin/PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI); (C) cellular viability of HIT-T15 cells cultured with different concentrations of PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI); (D) diameter of PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI) (left) and phycocyanin/PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI) complexes (right) in PB.Abbreviations: 1H NMR, 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance; PBLG, poly(γ-benzyl l-glutamate); PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI), poly(ethylene glycol)-b-(poly(l-glutamic acid)-g-polyethyl-enimine); TEM, transmission electron microscopy.](/cms/asset/51320d59-a292-4c3d-b144-46995bfe75a4/dijn_a_190938_sf0002_c.jpg)