Contrast-carrying liposomes. Current status

The goal of recent research has been to encapsulate standard, water-soluble radiographic contrast media (RCM) into liposomes, in order to direct them to reticuloendothelial tissues. Toward this end several varieties of contrast-carrying liposomes (CCLs) have been prepared. Each of these has proven effective in opacifying the liver and spleen of animals on computed tomography (CT). The suitability of two new encapsulation techniques: (1) Microemulsification (MELs), and (2) Dehydration Rehydration Vesicles (DRVs), for CCL production has been explored recently. Each of these two new preparative techniques were valuable in the effort to "scale-up" the CCL production process, leading to "pharmaceutically acceptable" preparation.