Temperature-dependent release of drug from copolymers of N-isopropylacrylamide containing liposome

Thermosensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) gels containing temperature-sensitive liposomes showing temperature-dependent sol-gel transition were prepared. The surface of temperature-sensitive liposome was modified with copolymers of N-isopropylacrylamide and octadecylacrylate, which exhibited a lower critical solution temperature at around 30 degreesC. After mixing the modified temperature-sensitive liposomes with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) solution, the temperature-sensitive liposomes formed physically cross-linked gels through heating the solution above their lower critical solution temperatures. The release of drug from temperature-sensitive liposomes was determined by measuring fluorescence intensity. The drug release from temperature-sensitive liposomes in poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) gel gradually showed sustained-release with increasing temperature.