Mehrdad Hamidi

Bio: Mehrdad Hamidi is an academic researcher from Zanjan University of Medical Sciences. The author has contributed to research in topics: Drug delivery & Drug carrier. The author has an hindex of 34, co-authored 119 publications receiving 4964 citations. Previous affiliations of Mehrdad Hamidi include Shiraz University of Medical Sciences & University of Zanjan.

Pharmacokinetic consequences of pegylation.

Abstract: Pegylation, generally described as the molecular attachment of polyethylene glycols (PEGs) with different molecular weights to active drug molecules or surface treatment of drug-bearing particles with PEGs, is one of the most promising and extensively studied strategies with the goal of improving the pharmacokinetic behavior of the therapeutic drugs. A variety of PEGs, both linear and branched, with different molecular weights have been exploited successfully for use in this procedure in the form of reactive PEG species. Both reversible and irreversible PEG-drug conjugates have been prepared with relative advantages/disadvantages. The main pharmacokinetic outcomes of pegylation are summarized as changes occurring in overall circulation life-span, tissue distribution pattern, and elimination pathway of the parent drug/particle. Based on these favorable pharmacokinetic consequences leading to desired pharmacodynamic outcomes, a variety of proteins/peptides as well as small molecule drugs have been pegylated and evaluated successfully. Also a number of corresponding products have been approved by the U.S. FDA for specific clinical indications and some others are underway. In this article, the chemistry, rationale, strategies, pharmacokinetic outcomes, and therapeutic possibilities of pegylated drugs are reviewed with pharmacokinetic aspects presented with more details.

Carrier erythrocytes: an overview.

Abstract: Application of erythrocytes, the most abundant cells of the human body with desirable physiologic and morphologic characteristics, in drug delivery has been exploited extensively. These cellular carriers, having remarkable biocompatibility, biodegradability, and life-span in circulation, can be loaded by a wide spectrum of compounds of therapeutic value using different chemically, as well as physically, based methods. Most of the characteristics of the erythrocytes, including shape, membrane fragility, deformability, and hematologic indices undergo some degree of irreversible changes during the loading procedure. The efflux pattern of the encapsulated compounds from the carrier erythrocytes covers a wide range between a relatively rapid release (complete release within a few hours) and no detectable release until the cell lysis. A series of methods have been tested successfully for improvement of in vitro storability of the carrier erythrocytes without any significant changes in cell biology as well as drug delivery efficacy. Carrier erythrocytes have been exploited for several potential applications, including intravenous slow release of therapeutic agents, enzyme therapy, drug targeting to reticuloendothelial system (RES), improvement of oxygen delivery to tissues, and preparation of fused cells.

Passive and active targeting in cancer therapy by liposomes and lipid nanoparticles.

Abstract: Considerable development in the application of injectable drug delivery systems for cancer therapy has occurred in the last few decades. These improvements include liposomes, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), and other nanoparticles with or without macromolecular conjugates. For example, liposomal doxorubicin modified by poly(ethylene glycol) (Doxil) was the first liposome with anti-cancer effects which was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, whereas Abraxane (modified albumin nanoparticles loaded by paclitaxel) was recently confirmed for the treatment of breast cancer. Recently, drug delivery systems by LNPs are an emerging technology with numerous advantages over conventional liposomes and chemotherapy using free drug treatment of cancer. These properties are biocompatibility, controlled and sustained release of anti-tumor drugs, and lower toxicity. Valuable experiments on these drug delivery systems offer better treatment of multidrug-resistant cancers and lower cardiotoxicity. LNPs have been presented with high functionality in chemotherapeutic targeting of breast and prostate cancer. The basis for this targeting behavior has been shown to be both passive and active targeting. The main objective of this review was an overview of the current position of the liposome-based drug delivery systems in targeted anticancer chemotherapy.

The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics

Abstract: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics A Textbook of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics for Physicians and Medical Students. By Prof. Louis Goodman and Prof. Alfred Gilman. Pp. xiii + 1383. (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1941.) 50s. net.

Handbook of Chemistry and Physics

Abstract: There is a special reason for reviewing this book at this time: it is the 50th edition of a compendium that is known and used frequently in most chemical and physical laboratories in many parts of the world. Surely, a publication that has been published for 56 years, withstanding the vagaries of science in this century, must have had something to offer. There is another reason: while the book is a standard fixture in most chemical and physical laboratories, including those in medical centers, it is not as frequently seen in the laboratories of physician's offices (those either in solo or group practice). I believe that the Handbook can be useful in those laboratories. One of the reasons, among others, is that the various basic items of information it offers may be helpful in new tests, either physical or chemical, which are continuously being published. The basic information may relate