M.I. EL GOHARY*, S.A. ALI**^#, M.M. ISMAIL*, M.H. GABER**

*Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, 11787 Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt
**Biophysics Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt

Liposomes encapsulated hemoglobin are considered as artificial oxygen carriers or blood substitutes play an important role in many diseases which need an excess of oxygen supply such as tumors. In the present study, the preparation and characterization of liposomes encapsulating bovine hemoglobin (LEBH) as potential oxygen carriers for enhancing radiotherapy treatment are carried out. First, LEBH was synthesized from 1,2-Dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine by thin film hydration method. The sample of LEBH was characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Diameter of liposomes containing hemoglobin was found to be approximately 289.5±5.02 nm as measured by (DLS) and (TEM). DSC scan of LEBH sample showed mean phase transition temperature at 71.94 °C indicating the high stability for LEBH at high temperatures through in vivo studies. Histopathological studies through the morphological changes in tumor sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin under light microscope indicated the effectiveness of the combined effect of LEBH with radiation therapy on tumor cells through the extent of induced cytotoxicity, including inflammation, cell apoptosis, cell necrosis, steatosis. The results indicated that LEBH greatly enhanced radiation effect on tumors.

Corresponding author’s e-mail: saidtaha@aucegypt.edu

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