Featured Publications
Dr. Blair has been featured in many scientific publications
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of daily cannabidiol for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis pain
Over the last 2 decades, affirmative diagnoses of osteoarthritis (OA) in the United States have tripled due to increasing rates of obesity and an aging population. Hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) is the major nontetrahydrocannabinol component of cannabis and has been promoted as a potential treatment for a wide variety of disparate inflammatory conditions. Here, we evaluated CBD for its ability to modulate the production of proinflammatory cytokines in vitro and in murine models of induced inflammation and further validated the ability of a liposomal formulation to increase bioavailability in mice and in humans. Subsequently, the therapeutic potential of both naked and liposomally encapsulated CBD was explored in a 4-week, randomized placebo-controlled, double-blinded study in a spontaneous canine model of OA. In vitro and in mouse models, CBD significantly attenuated the production of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α while elevating levels of anti-inflammatory IL-10. In the veterinary study, CBD significantly decreased pain and increased mobility in a dose-dependent fashion among animals with an affirmative diagnosis of OA. Liposomal CBD (20 mg/day) was as effective as the highest dose of nonliposomal CBD (50 mg/day) in improving clinical outcomes. Hematocrit, comprehensive metabolic profile, and clinical chemistry indicated no significant detrimental impact of CBD administration over the 4-week analysis period. This study supports the safety and therapeutic potential of hemp-derived CBD for relieving arthritic pain and suggests follow-up investigations in humans are warranted.
Liposomal Cannabidiol Delivery: A Pilot Study
Although oral cannabidiol (CBD) formulations are increasingly popular, studies show that oral CBD has a much lower bioavailability than inhaled CBD.1 This study was designed to compare the bioavailability of 2 different preparations of oral CBD, with
and without a liposomal delivery system.
Puffin Hemp (http://www.puffinhemp.com) has a patentpending liposome manufacturing technology that is used to prepare CBD products with high bioavailability, using a proprietary CELLg8 delivery system. This natural liposomal preparation is designed to increase the amount of active ingredient that is absorbed into the bloodstream. We have previously published on a similar liposomal delivery system for vitamin C, where increased absorption was observed compared with a nonliposomal product.
Next Generation of Liposomal Delivery for Cannabidiol From a Hemp Extract: A Safety Study
Liposomal-encapsulated Ascorbic Acid: Influence on Vitamin C Bioavailability and Capacity to Protect Against Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury
Intravenous administration of vitamin C has been shown to decrease oxidative stress and, in some instances, improve physiological function in adult humans. Oral vitamin C administration is typically less effective than intravenous, due in part to inferior vitamin C bioavailability. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of oral delivery of vitamin C encapsulated in liposomes. On 4 separate randomly ordered occasions, 11 men and women were administered an oral placebo, or 4 g of vitamin C via oral, oral liposomal, or intravenous delivery. The data indicate that oral delivery of 4 g of vitamin C encapsulated in liposomes (1) produces circulating concentrations of vitamin C that are greater than unencapsulated oral but less than intravenous administration and (2) provides protection from ischemia–reperfusion-mediated oxidative stress that is similar to the protection provided by unencapsulated oral and intravenous administrations.
How rouge can impact on-line TOC analyzers
Rouge or colloidal iron oxide that is present in pharmaceutical water system, poses a significant challenge in moving total organic carbon (TOC) from a lab-based release to online release. Rogue deposition can alter online TOC analyzer performance within months of installation by changing cell constants and blocking ultraviolet light of quartz oxidation cells. When UV light is blocked, oxidation of organics to carbon dioxide is inhibited that leads to underreporting of TOC, making oxidation and analysis times longer than the expected time in the water sample. Also, analyzers that use membrane technology to separate carbon dioxide from the sample matrix are at greater risk because of colloidal fouling and reduced carbon dioxide efficiency. Reduced membrane performance can lead to inaccuracy, drift, and instability. Three strategies can help mitigate such effects of rouge. These include dynamic endpoint detection, rouge detection sensors and oxidation cell maintenance kits.
Detection and Quantification of Carboxylic Acid Excursions in Ultrapure Water Using an On-line TOC Analyzer
In a recent paper by Hanson (1), the author described carboxylic acid breakthrough in several high-purity water polish loops at Texas Instrument (TI) fabs in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Hanson was able to trace the source of these organic acids back to the plants feedwater and attributed acid formation to implementation of a new municipal water ozonation system. The carboxylic acids were apparently ozonation by-products that were not destroyed before leaving the water treatment facility. The level of incoming carboxylic acids that lead to the high-purity water breakthrough was not explicitly given, but data indicates concentrations of 200 to 400 parts per billion (ppb) were necessary (1). The levels of carboxylic acid that reached the wafer fab were also not given, but due to the efficiency of the high-purity water plant for removing ionic contamination, we assume levels were ranging between 5 to 20 parts per billion (ppb).
Liposomal Hemp Extract for the Management of Cachexia
The onset of cachexia, a body-wasting condition, is an ominous sign -- it occurs in up to 80% of patients with cancer and is the ultimate cause of death in up to 20% of these patients. Moreover, cachexia can make treatment for cancer more difficult and less effective. With no approved treatment for cachexia, some pateints have experimented with cannabis to increase their appetite. Findings on the use of cannabis as a treatment for cachexia have shown some promise; however, well-designed clinical trials of cannabinoids are necessary to provide guidance to both physicans and patients regarding formulation and dose.
- Pharmacokinetic Analyses of Liposomal Multivitamin/Mineral Formulations
- Liposomal Mineral Absorption
- CBD Treatment For Osteoarthritis in Canines
- Liposomal Cannabidiol Delivery: A Pilot Study
- Next Generation of Liposomal Delivery for Cannabidiol From a Hemp Extract
- Liposomal-encapsulated Ascorbic Acid
- How rouge can impact on-line TOC analyzers
- Detection and Quantification of Carboxylic Acid Excursions in Ultrapure Water Using an On-line TOC Analyzer
- Liposomal Hemp Extract for the Management of Cachexia
Companies Blogs & Articles Pharmacokinetic Analyses of Liposomal Multivitamin/Mineral Formulations
Ingestion of a liposomal MVM supplement differentially affects the concentrations of
some vitamins and minerals appearing in the blood, volume distribution, clearance rates, and elimination from the blood compared to a non-liposomal MVM supplement. These findings are important because they are the first to demonstrate that coating a MVM supplement with liposomes can affect the PK profile of several vitamins and minerals within the MVM supplement and thereby influence nutrient bioavailability. With additional research, this may serve as a more efficient way to deliver vitamins and minerals in dietary supplements. However, additional research is needed to determine the impact of coating a MVM supplement with liposomes on tissue uptake, metabolic function, and health. Additionally, it would be interesting to determine whether ingesting individually coated vitamins and minerals with liposomes within a MVM supplement rather than coating the outside of a MVM supplement may yield differential effects on vitamin and mineral bio-availability. Nevertheless, the present findings support contentions that surrounding a MVM supplement with liposomes affects the bioavailability of individual nutrients contained in the MVM supplement.
Liposomal Mineral Absorption: A Randomized Crossover Trial
Multivitamin/mineral (MVM) supplements are one of the most popular dietary supplement categories. The purpose of this analysis was to determine if a novel liposomal delivery mechanism improves mineral absorption from an MVM product. In a randomized crossover trial, 25 healthy participants (12 females, 13 males) completed two testing sessions in which blood samples were collected at baseline and 2, 4, and 6 h following the ingestion of either a liposomal MVM or a nutrient-matched standard MVM. Analysis of MVM products indicated an elemental iron content of 9.4 and 10.1 mg (~50% U.S. FDA Daily Value) and an elemental magnesium content of 22.0 and 23.3 mg (~5% U.S. FDA Daily Value) in the liposomal and standard MVM products, respectively. Blood samples were analyzed for concentrations of iron and magnesium using colorimetric assays. Changes in mineral concentrations were analyzed using linear mixed models, and pharmacokinetic parameters were compared between conditions. For iron, statistically significant condition × time interactions were observed for percent change from baseline (p = 0.002), rank of percent change from baseline (p = 0.01), and raw concentrations (p = 0.02). Follow-up testing indicated that the liposomal condition exhibited larger changes from baseline than the standard MVM condition at 4 (p = 0.0001; +14.3 ± 18.5% vs. -6.0 ± 13.1%) and 6 h (p = 0.0002; +1.0 ± 20.9% vs. -21.0 ± 15.3%) following MVM ingestion. These changes were further supported by a 50% greater mean incremental area under the curve in the liposomal condition (33.2 ± 30.9 vs. 19.8 ± 19.8 mcg/dL × 6 h; p = 0.02, Cohen's d effect size = 0.52). In contrast, no differential effects for magnesium absorption were observed. In conclusion, iron absorption from an MVM product is enhanced by a liposomal delivery mechanism.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of daily cannabidiol for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis pain
Over the last 2 decades, affirmative diagnoses of osteoarthritis (OA) in the United States have tripled due to increasing rates of obesity and an aging population. Hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) is the major nontetrahydrocannabinol component of cannabis and has been promoted as a potential treatment for a wide variety of disparate inflammatory conditions. Here, we evaluated CBD for its ability to modulate the production of proinflammatory cytokines in vitro and in murine models of induced inflammation and further validated the ability of a liposomal formulation to increase bioavailability in mice and in humans. Subsequently, the therapeutic potential of both naked and liposomally encapsulated CBD was explored in a 4-week, randomized placebo-controlled, double-blinded study in a spontaneous canine model of OA. In vitro and in mouse models, CBD significantly attenuated the production of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α while elevating levels of anti-inflammatory IL-10. In the veterinary study, CBD significantly decreased pain and increased mobility in a dose-dependent fashion among animals with an affirmative diagnosis of OA. Liposomal CBD (20 mg/day) was as effective as the highest dose of nonliposomal CBD (50 mg/day) in improving clinical outcomes. Hematocrit, comprehensive metabolic profile, and clinical chemistry indicated no significant detrimental impact of CBD administration over the 4-week analysis period. This study supports the safety and therapeutic potential of hemp-derived CBD for relieving arthritic pain and suggests follow-up investigations in humans are warranted.
Liposomal Cannabidiol Delivery: A Pilot Study
Although oral cannabidiol (CBD) formulations are increasingly popular, studies show that oral CBD has a much lower bioavailability than inhaled CBD.1 This study was designed to compare the bioavailability of 2 different preparations of oral CBD, with
and without a liposomal delivery system.
Puffin Hemp (http://www.puffinhemp.com) has a patentpending liposome manufacturing technology that is used to prepare CBD products with high bioavailability, using a proprietary CELLg8 delivery system. This natural liposomal preparation is designed to increase the amount of active ingredient that is absorbed into the bloodstream. We have previously published on a similar liposomal delivery system for vitamin C, where increased absorption was observed compared with a nonliposomal product.
Next Generation of Liposomal Delivery for Cannabidiol From a Hemp Extract: A Safety Study
Liposomal-encapsulated Ascorbic Acid: Influence on Vitamin C Bioavailability and Capacity to Protect Against Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury
Intravenous administration of vitamin C has been shown to decrease oxidative stress and, in some instances, improve physiological function in adult humans. Oral vitamin C administration is typically less effective than intravenous, due in part to inferior vitamin C bioavailability. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of oral delivery of vitamin C encapsulated in liposomes. On 4 separate randomly ordered occasions, 11 men and women were administered an oral placebo, or 4 g of vitamin C via oral, oral liposomal, or intravenous delivery. The data indicate that oral delivery of 4 g of vitamin C encapsulated in liposomes (1) produces circulating concentrations of vitamin C that are greater than unencapsulated oral but less than intravenous administration and (2) provides protection from ischemia–reperfusion-mediated oxidative stress that is similar to the protection provided by unencapsulated oral and intravenous administrations.
How rouge can impact on-line TOC analyzers
Rouge or colloidal iron oxide that is present in pharmaceutical water system, poses a significant challenge in moving total organic carbon (TOC) from a lab-based release to online release. Rogue deposition can alter online TOC analyzer performance within months of installation by changing cell constants and blocking ultraviolet light of quartz oxidation cells. When UV light is blocked, oxidation of organics to carbon dioxide is inhibited that leads to underreporting of TOC, making oxidation and analysis times longer than the expected time in the water sample. Also, analyzers that use membrane technology to separate carbon dioxide from the sample matrix are at greater risk because of colloidal fouling and reduced carbon dioxide efficiency. Reduced membrane performance can lead to inaccuracy, drift, and instability. Three strategies can help mitigate such effects of rouge. These include dynamic endpoint detection, rouge detection sensors and oxidation cell maintenance kits.
Detection and Quantification of Carboxylic Acid Excursions in Ultrapure Water Using an On-line TOC Analyzer
In a recent paper by Hanson (1), the author described carboxylic acid breakthrough in several high-purity water polish loops at Texas Instrument (TI) fabs in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Hanson was able to trace the source of these organic acids back to the plants feedwater and attributed acid formation to implementation of a new municipal water ozonation system. The carboxylic acids were apparently ozonation by-products that were not destroyed before leaving the water treatment facility. The level of incoming carboxylic acids that lead to the high-purity water breakthrough was not explicitly given, but data indicates concentrations of 200 to 400 parts per billion (ppb) were necessary (1). The levels of carboxylic acid that reached the wafer fab were also not given, but due to the efficiency of the high-purity water plant for removing ionic contamination, we assume levels were ranging between 5 to 20 parts per billion (ppb).
Liposomal Hemp Extract for the Management of Cachexia
The onset of cachexia, a body-wasting condition, is an ominous sign -- it occurs in up to 80% of patients with cancer and is the ultimate cause of death in up to 20% of these patients. Moreover, cachexia can make treatment for cancer more difficult and less effective. With no approved treatment for cachexia, some pateints have experimented with cannabis to increase their appetite. Findings on the use of cannabis as a treatment for cachexia have shown some promise; however, well-designed clinical trials of cannabinoids are necessary to provide guidance to both physicans and patients regarding formulation and dose.
Additional Publications
- Blair, E., Verrico, C., Wesson, S., Konduri, V., Hofferek, C. J., Vazquez-Perez, J., … Halpert, M. M. (2020, April 24). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of… : PAIN. Retrieved from https://journals.lww.com/pain/Abstract/9000/A_randomized,_double_blind,_placebo_controlled.98420.aspx
- Blair, E. (2020). Liposomal Cannabidiol Delivery: A Pilot Study. American Journal of Endocannabinoid Medicine , 2(1), 19–21.
- Blair E.: “Next Generation of Liposomal Delivery for Cannabidiol From a Hemp Extract: A Safety Study” American Journal of Endocannabinoid Medicine, 2019 Nov; p 20-22.
- Davis JL, Paris HL, Beals JW, Binns SE, Giordano GR, Scalzo RL, Schweder MM, Blair E, Bell C.: “Liposomal-encapsulated Ascorbic Acid: Influence on Vitamin C Bioavailability and Capacity to Protect Against Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.” Nutr Metab Insights, 2016 Jun 20; 9:25-30.
- Blair, E.; Stange, T.; “How Rouge Can Impact On-Line TOC Analyzers.” Ultrapure Water, Jan. 2008, p13-18 and Cover.
- Stange, T.; Lu, Z.; Blair, E.; “Detection and Quantification of Carboxylic Acid Excursions in Ultrapure Water Using an On-line TOC Analyzer.” Semiconductor Pure water and Chemicals conference proceedings, 2007, 173-186.
Academic Publications
- Blair, E.; Sulc, F.; Farmer, P. J. “Biomimetic NOx Reductions by Heme Models and Proteins” N4 Macrocyclic Metal Complexes, J. H. Zagal, F. Bedioui, J. P. Dodelet eds. Springer, 2006, Chp. 4, pp. 149-190. (ISBN 0-387-29429-X)
- Blair, E. “Electrochemical Degradation Pathways of 1,1,1-trichloroethane by Immobilized P450 CYP119 in Extreme Temperature and pH Environments.” Interface, 2005, 4; 54-55.
- Kuznetsov, V.; Blair, E.; Farmer, P. J.; Poulos, T.; Peferitti, A.; Sevrioukova, I.; “The Putidaredoxin Reductase-Putidaredoxin Electron Transfer Complex: Theoretical and Experimental Study.” J.Biol.Chem. 2005, 280; 16135–16142.
- Blair, E.; Greaves, J.; Farmer, P. J.; “High Temperature Electrocatalysis Using Thermophilic P450 CYP119: Dehalogenation of CCl4 to CH4.” J. Am.Chem. Soc. 2004, 126(28); 8632-8633.
- Immoos, C.E.; Chou, J.; Bayachou, M.; Blair, E.; Farmer, P.J.; “Electrocatalytic Reductions of Nitrite, Nitric Oxide, and Nitrous Oxide by Thermophilic Cytochrome P450 CYP119 in Film- Modified Electrodes and an Analytical Comparison of Its Catalytic Activities with Myoglobin.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126(15); 4934-4942.
- Blair, E.; Nikles, J. A.; Nikles, D. E.; Rogers, L. M.; Rogers, R. D.; Stabler, D.; Street, S. C.; “Molecular Structure of the Amine-Quinone Model Compound, 2,5-bis(dimethylamino)-1,4- benzoquinone.” Polymer Preprint, 2000, 41(1); 318.
