Effect of alginate‐chitosan sustained release microcapsules for transhepatic arterial embolization in VX2 rabbit liver cancer model

Two lipid‐solid dispersion loading Norcantharidin sustained‐released microspheres of alginate‐chitosan (NCTD/LSD‐ACMs) were prepared via the emulsification‐gelation method. The effects of microspheres for transarterial hepatic chemoembolization were evaluated in VX2 rabbit liver cancer model. The VX2 animal model was established by biopsy needle, divided randomly into four groups, and disposed with three preparations including NCTD/LSD‐ACMs (60–120 μm), NCTD/LSD‐ACMs(120–200 μm), and NCTD solution through the hepatic arteries compared with the untreated group (control group). The serum of all rabbits before and at 3, 7, and 14 days after embolization was collected to determine the level of aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The AST level increased in the three treated groups on the first day compared with the control group (p < 0.05), and was higher in the two embolization groups (with no significant difference, p >0.05) than that in the NCTD group (p < 0.05). The tumor growth rates, which were significantly decreased in the two embolization groups compared with that in the control group, and the degree of liver cell necrosis assessed by the histopathological specimens, were used to evaluate the embolization effect. Liquefactive necrosis and coagulative necrosis were observed in the two embolization groups. The results showed that NCTD/LSD‐ACMs are a potential candidate for embolization of liver cancer. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 101A: 3192–3200, 2013.