Purpose: To examine physiochemical characteristics and drug release properties of cisplatin powder and lipiodol mixtures formed by a glass membrane emulsification device compared with a 3-way stopcock.
Materials and methods: Seven different types of mixtures were evaluated: cisplatin powder and lipiodol directly mixed (suspension), complete cisplatin solution and lipiodol mixed by a 3-way stopcock or the device (emulsion), incomplete cisplatin solution and lipiodol mixed by a 3-way stopcock or the device (solid-in-water emulsion), and contrast material and cisplatin suspension mixed by a 3-way stopcock or the device (solid-in-oil emulsion).
Result: The percentages of water-in-oil were 98.08 ± 0.27% in the emulsion formed by the device, while 70.3 ± 4.63% in the emulsion formed by a 3-way stopcock (P = 0.037). Solid-in-water and solid-in-oil emulsions formed by the device showed 98.09 ± 0.38% and 98.70 ± 0.40% of water-in-oil, respectively, whereas both solid-in-water and solid-in-oil emulsions formed by a 3-way stopcock showed 0.00%. Homogenous droplet sizes were shown by using the device. The half release times of cisplatin in the emulsions formed by the device were 197 ± 19, 244 ± 24 and 478 ± 52 min, respectively, which were significantly longer than the emulsion formed by a 3-way stopcock of 8 ± 8 min (P = 0.046-0.050). Suspension showed the longest release time; however, the viscosity was lowest.
Conclusion: The glass membrane emulsification device formed almost 100% water-in-oil, whereas 3-way stopcock produced 100% oil-in-water when incomplete solution or suspension was mixed. Slower cisplatin release was shown in the emulsions formed by the device.
Keywords: Arterial embolization; Cisplatin; Emulsion; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Lipiodol.