Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
CHAPTER
15
Membr
anes and Human
Health
OUTLINE
A. Liposomes as Drug-Delivery Agents 339
1. Gout
B. Effect of Dietary Lipids on Membrane
Structure/Function
339
348
2. Liposomes
340
1. Trans Fatty Acids
348
3. Leishmaniasis
342
2. Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)
350
4. Development of Liposomes that
Avoid the RES
Summary
352
343
5. Stealth Liposomes
344
References
353
6. Thermo-Liposomes
344
7. pH-Sensitive Liposomes
346
A. LIPOSOMES AS DRUG-DELIVERY AGENTS
The complexity of membrane structure and functions outlined in this topic supports
a wealth of potential targets to alleviate human afflictions. Indeed, drug companies have
taken notice and made membranes a major area for future drug development. A thorough
survey of these approaches is far too large to address here. Instead a few representative
examples are discussed below.
1. Gout
For decades it has been appreciated that most life processes are in some way related to
membranes. Many examples of clever experiments designed to test possible disease mecha-
nisms of action adorn the literature. An early example by Gerald Weissmann (
Figure 15.1
)
in 1972
[1]
typifies this approach. (Gerald Weissmann is also known for coining the term
'liposome'.) His experiment involved understanding the molecular mechanism of gout.
