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At least 649 records · Page 36Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Efficient intracellular delivery of rifampicin to alveolar macrophages using rifampicin-loaded PLGA microspheres: effects of molecular weight and composition of PLGA on release of rifampicin.

Monodispersed PLGA microspheres containing rifampicin (RFP) have been prepared by solvent evaporation method using a Shirasu porous glass (SPG) membrane. The microspheres were spherical and their average diameter was about 2 microm. The loading efficiency of rifampicin was dependent on the molecular weight of PLGA. The higher loading efficiency was obtained by the usage of PLGA with the lower molecular weight, which may be caused by the interaction of the amino groups of rifampicin with the terminal carboxyl groups of PLGA. PLGA with the monomer compositions of 50/50 and 75/25, of lactic acid/glycolic acid, were used in this study. From rifampicin-loaded PLGA microspheres formulated using PLGA with the molecular weight of 20,000, rifampicin was released with almost constant rate for 20 days after the lag phase was observed for the initial 7 days at pH 7.4. On the other hand, from rifampicin-loaded PLGA microspheres formulated using PLGA with the molecular weight of 5000 or 10,000, almost 90% of rifampicin-loaded in the microspheres was released in the initial 10 days. Highly effective delivery of rifampicin to alveolar macrophages was observed by the usage of rifampicin-loaded PLGA microspheres. Almost 19 times higher concentration of rifampicin was found to be incorporated in alveolar macrophages when rifampicin-loaded PLGA microspheres were added to the cell culture medium than when rifampicin solution was added.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Biodegradation and biocompatibility of contraceptive-steroid-loaded poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) injectable microspheres: in vitro and in vivo study.

PURPOSE: A controlled-release drug delivery of contraceptive steroids levonorgestrel (LNG) and ethinyl estradiol (EE) has been developed by successful encapsulation of LNG and EE in poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) microspheres. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Smooth, spherical, steroid-loaded PLG microspheres with a mean size of 10-25 microm were prepared by using the water/oil/water double-emulsion solvent evaporation method. RESULTS: In vitro release profiles showed an increased burst release of LNG/EE on Week 1; thereafter, the release was sustained. At the end of Week 7, the release of LNG/EE from 1:5 and 1:10 PLG microspheres was 75.64% and 62.55%. respectively. In vitro degradation studies showed that the PLG microspheres maintained surface integrity up to Week 8 and then eroded completely by Week 20. In an in vivo study, the serum concentration of LNG/EE in rats showed a triphasic release response, with an initial burst release of 8 ng/mL LNG and 14 pg/mL EE on Day 1; thereafter, a controlled release of the drugs to the systemic circulation was maintained until Week 15, maintaining constant drug levels of 2 ng/mL LNG and 3-4 pg/mL EE in the blood. Histological examination of steroid-loaded PLG microspheres injected intramuscularly into the thigh muscle of Wistar rats showed minimal inflammatory reaction, demonstrating that contraceptive-steroid-loaded microspheres were biocompatible. CONCLUSION: This controlled-release and biocompatible nature of the PLG microspheres may have potential application in contraceptive therapy.

Absorbable Implants↗
PubMed2005

Flow-through ultrasonic emulsification combined with static micromixing for aseptic production of microspheres by solvent extraction.

Final sterilisation of drug-loaded polymeric microspheres is problematic as dry heat or steam sterilisation are not applicable, and gamma-irradiation may result in radiolytic scission of the polymer chains, and potentially damage the bioactive compound. Therefore, aseptic production is the method of choice to obtain a sterile product. A novel process for the production of microspheres is introduced based on the principle of double emulsion-solvent extraction. The process uses a flow-through ultrasonic cell for the preparation of the primary emulsion, in combination with a static micromixer for the production of the double emulsion. Because of its small scale, the equipment is readily accommodated in a laminar air-flow cabinet or an isolator. Thanks to the low technical complexity and easy handling of the process, only minimal manual interventions is required. Finally, the possibility for in-place cleaning and sterilisation makes the equipment and process well suited for aseptic microsphere preparation. Microspheres were prepared from poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), and bovine serum albumin (BSA) served as model protein for microencapsulation. The BSA-in-PLGA (w/o) emulsions produced by the ultrasonic flow-through cell exhibited mean droplet sizes of <700 nm. Further processing into microspheres of 15-40 microm mean diameter resulted in approx. 70% BSA encapsulation efficiency. Batch-to-batch reproducibility was excellent. Microsphere batches produced under aseptic conditions to assure product sterility exhibited no microbial contamination when examined by a simplified sterility test. The presented technology offers great potential for aseptic microsphere production for batch-sizes suitable, e.g. for clinical investigations. Complete validation of product sterility would, however, demand more extended tests.

Emulsions↗
PubMed2004

Preparation and in vitro evaluation of Eudragit microspheres containing acetazolamide.

The aim of this study was to prepare and evaluate Eudragit (RS and RL) microspheres containing acetazolamide. Microspheres were prepared by solvent evaporation method using acetone/liquid paraffin system. The influence of formulation factors (stirring speed, polymer:drug ratio, type of polymer, ratio of the combination of polymers) on particle size, encapsulation efficiency and in vitro release characteristics of the microspheres were investigated. The yields of preparation and the encapsulation efficiencies were high for all formulations the microspheres were obtained. Mean particle size changed by changing the polymer:drug ratio or the stirring speed of the system. Although acetazolamide release rates from Eudragit RS microspheres were very slow and incomplete for all formulations, they were fast from Eudragit RL microspheres. When Eudragit RS was added to Eudragit RL microsphere formulations, release rates slowed down and achieved the release profile suitable for peroral administration.

Acetazolamide↗
PubMed2004

Preparation and characterisation of poly(vinyl alcohol)/cyclodextrin microspheres as matrix for inclusion and separation of drugs.

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) microspheres containing cyclodextrin (CD) were obtained by chemical cross-linking with glutaraldehyde of an acidified mixture solution of PVA and alpha-, beta- or gamma-CD. The amount of linked CD in microspheres, estimated by tetrazolium blue method, decreases in the order beta- > gamma- > alpha-CD. The dimensions of PVA/gamma-CD microspheres are much higher than those of PVA/alpha- and beta-CD. The cross-linking density of microspheres was estimated by the amount of iodine retained by the polymer matrix. The pore size as well as the porous volume of PVA/CD microspheres decrease significantly on increasing the amount of glutaraldehyde, but are enough large to permit the access of drugs to the CD cavity. In order to test the PVA/CD microsphere inclusion ability, the microspheres were packed in a glass column and the liquid chromatographic behaviour by isocratic elution of different drugs or typical organic compounds, taken as model drugs, was investigated.

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical↗
PubMed2004

Effect of polymerization conditions on the network properties of dex-HEMA microspheres and macro-hydrogels.

Dextran-hydroxy-ethyl-methacrylate (dex-HEMA) hydrogels in the form of microspheres are an attractive system for the controlled delivery of protein drugs. In this work, the microspheres were prepared by a water-in-water emulsion polymerization process. The polymerization reaction was initiated by potassium peroxodisulfate (KPS) and catalyzed by N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED). The effect of the initiator concentration, reaction temperature and pH on the mechanical and network properties of the microspheres were investigated. The size and size distribution of the microspheres, equilibrium water content, and methacrylate conversion were also determined. The mechanical properties of single microspheres were measured by a micromanipulation technique and the rheological characteristics of the same material in the form of macroscopic hydrogel slabs were determined by a controlled stress rheometer. The results showed that the Young's moduli of the microspheres and of macroscopic slabs measured by these two methods were in good agreement. Higher KPS initiator concentrations resulted in a more rapid polymerization with a shorter gelation and lag time, and a higher Young's modulus of the gels. An increase in temperature also resulted in a more rapid polymerization with a shorter gelation and lag time. However, the Young's modulus of the gels decreased with an increase in polymerization temperature. The pH had no significant effect on the mechanical properties of the microspheres. This study demonstrates that the network properties of dex-HEMA hydrogels can be tailored by the polymerization conditions, which opens the possibility to modulate the release rate of entrapped compounds.

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical↗
PubMed2005

Nasal administration of carbamazepine using chitosan microspheres: in vitro/in vivo studies.

The nasal route is used both for local therapies and, more recently, for the systemic administration of drugs, as well as for the delivery of peptides and vaccines. In this study the nasal administration of Carbamazepine (CBZ) has been studied using microspheres constituted by chitosan hydrochloride (CH) or chitosan glutamate (CG). Blank microspheres were also prepared as a comparison. The microspheres were produced using a spray-drying technique and characterized in terms of morphology (scanning electron microscopy, SEM), drug content, particle size (laser diffraction method) and thermal behaviour (differential scanning calorimetry, DSC). In vitro drug release studies were performed in phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). In vivo tests were carried out in sheep using the microparticles containing chitosan glutamate, chosen on the basis of the results of in vitro studies. The results were compared to those obtained after the nasal administration of CBZ (raw material) alone. For the evaluation of in vivo data statistical analysis was carried out using the unpaired t-test. Spray-drying was a good technique of preparation of CBZ-loaded microspheres. The loading of the drug into the polymeric network always led to an increase in the dissolution rate compared to CBZ raw material. The microspheres obtained using chitosan glutamate had the best behaviour both in vitro and in vivo. They increased the drug concentration in the serum when compared to the nasal administration of the pure drug (Cmax 800 and 25 ng/ml for microspheres and pure drug, respectively). The results obtained indicate that the loading of CBZ in chitosan glutamate microspheres increases the amount of the drug absorbed through the nose.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed2006

Alginate microspheres prepared by internal gelation: development and effect on insulin stability.

Recombinant human insulin was encapsulated within alginate microspheres by the emulsification/internal gelation technique with the objective of preserving protein stability during encapsulation procedure. The influence of process and formulation parameters was evaluated on the morphology and encapsulation efficiency of insulin. The in vitro release of insulin from microspheres was studied under simulated gastrointestinal conditions and the in vivo activity of protein after processing was assessed by subcutaneous administration of extracted insulin from microspheres to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Microspheres mean diameter, ranging from 21 to 287 microm, decreased with the internal phase ratio, emulsifier concentration, mixer rotational speed and increased with alginate concentration. Insulin encapsulation efficiency, near 75%, was not affected by emulsifier concentration, mixer rotational speed and zinc/insulin hexamer molar ratio but decreased either by increasing internal phase ratio and calcium/alginate mass ratio or by decreasing acid/calcium molar ratio and alginate concentration. A high insulin release, above 75%, was obtained at pH 1.2 and under simulated intestinal pH a complete dissolution of microspheres occurred. Extracted insulin from microspheres decreased hyperglycemia of diabetic rats proving to be bioactive and showing that encapsulation in alginate microspheres using the emulsification/internal gelation is an appropriate method for protein encapsulation.

Alginates↗
PubMed2006

Preparation and improvement of release behavior of chitosan microspheres containing insulin.

Chitosan microsphere has potential applications in orally and other mucosally administration of protein and peptide drug, because it shows excellent mucoadhesive and permeation enhancing effect across the biological surfaces. The control of the size and size distribution of chitosan microsphere is necessary in order to improve its reproducibility, bioavailability and repeatable release behavior. Furthermore, it is a big challenge how to maintain the chemical stability of protein drug and improve its release behavior in the preparation of chitosan microspheres, because conventional crosslinking method by glutaraldehyde cannot be used in encapsulation of protein drug containing amino group. In this study, we established a method to prepare uniform-sized microsphere, and solve above problems by combining a special membrane emulsification technique and a step-wise crosslinking method. The preparative condition was optimized, and the chemical stability of protein, encapsulation efficiency, and release behavior were compared with conventional preparative method of drug-loaded chitosan microspheres. As a result, fairly uniform chitosan microspheres were obtained with a coefficient of variation (C.V.) value less than 11%, and the step-wise crosslinking method developed specially for membrane emulsification method provided the microspheres with higher encapsulation efficiency (80%), higher chemical stability of insulin (>95%), lower burst release and steady release behavior.

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical↗
PubMed2006

Effect of temperature-increase rate on drug release characteristics of dextran microspheres prepared by emulsion solvent evaporation process.

Microspheres containing theophylline (TH) were prepared from a hydrophobic dextran derivative by an emulsion solvent evaporation process using an acetone/liquid paraffin system. The effects of solvent evaporation rate on particle properties and drug release characteristic of the microspheres were evaluated. The solvent evaporation rate was controlled by the rate of increase in temperature of the water bath, ranging 7.5-30 degrees C/h. Drug release from the microspheres was examined using JPXIV 2nd fluid (pH 6.8) containing 0.1% Tween 80, and was found to be greatly affected by the solvent evaporation rate. The percentage of drug released until 8h varied; from 28% to 84% for 30 and 7.5 degrees C, respectively. Differential scanning calorimetry and powder X-ray diffraction studies revealed that TH partially interacted with the polymer and drug crystallinity was maintained intact in the microspheres. According to scanning electron microscopy observations, all microspheres showed a well-formed spherical particle with a solid interior. The appearances of the microspheres were, however, extremely different. Microspheres prepared at 30 degrees C/h had a very smooth surface, while those prepared at 7.5-15 degrees C/h had a rough surface with large craters. These findings demonstrated that the surface morphology and drug release characteristic were controlled by the rate of increase of temperature.

Crystallization↗
PubMed2006

Degradation behaviour of microspheres prepared by spray-drying poly(D,L-lactide) and poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) polymers.

Polymeric microsphere degradation must be taken into account in the design of drug delivery systems to be injected in in vivo systems, thus a prior analysis of in vitro degradation behaviour of microspheres appears to be necessary. In this study degradation characteristics of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and poly(D,L-lactide) (PLA) microspheres prepared by the spray-drying technique have been examined. It was found that a slow decrease in molecular weight took place during the first stage of degradation, and the value of the rate constant decreased with the increase of the percentage of lactic acid of the polymer in a linear way. Thus, the period of time of this first stage decreased with the increase of content of glycolidyl units of the polymer, and it was the unique stage observed in PLA microspheres after 5 months of study. During this period of time, significant mass loss was not observed in the microspheres. The second stage of degradation of PLGA microspheres showed a larger rate constant, whose value increased with the content of glycolidyl units of the polymer. Mass loss was observed from number-average molecular weight about 6000. A sharp decrease of glass transition temperature (T(g)) was observed coinciding with the start of mass loss. This fact was accompanied by a physical change of the samples, fusion of microspheres to form large particles, which also fusion to form a unique mass of polymer; moment from that the degradation process was quicker.

Biocompatible Materials↗
PubMed2006

Evaluation of ibuprofen-loaded microspheres prepared from novel copolyesters.

The utility of two novel linear random copolyesters to encapsulate and control the release of ibuprofen, via microspheres, was investigated. Various manufacturing parameters, including temperature, disperse phase volume and polymer:ibuprofen ratios were altered during the microsphere production. The effects of these changes on the morphological characteristics of the microspheres, yield, drug loading, encapsulation efficiency and drug release rates were examined. The diameter of the microspheres ranged from 36 to 89 microm and showed both smooth and ridged surfaces. Microsphere diameter was probably determined by the internal phase volume, while surface morphology was controlled by manufacturing temperature. Greater encapsulation efficiency was obtained by increasing the polymer:ibuprofen ratio and by reducing the internal phase volume. For all batches there was an initial burst drug release into phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) over the first 2-4h, which was followed by a much slower release rate over the remaining time period. Drug release rates during both these phases were dependent upon the amount and nature of the polymer in the microspheres, noting that the more hydrophilic polymer provided faster release rates. Ibuprofen solubility appeared to play a dominant role in controlling release, although both encapsulation efficiency and microsphere morphology were also contributing factors.

Analgesics, Non-Narcotic↗
PubMed2006

Alginate microspheres of isoniazid for oral sustained drug delivery.

In the present study, spherical microspheres able to prolong the release of INH were produced by a modified emulsification method, using sodium alginate as the hydrophilic carrier. The shape and surface characteristics were determined by scanning electron microscopy using gold sputter technique. Particle sizes of both placebo and drug-loaded formulations were measured by SEM and the particle size distribution was determined by an optical microscope. The physical state of the drug in the formulation was determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The release profiles of INH from microspheres were examined in simulated gastric fluid (SGF pH 1.2) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF pH 7.4). Gamma-scintigraphic studies were carried out to determine the location of microspheres on oral administration and the extent of transit through the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The microspheres had a smoother surface and were found to be discreet and spherical in shape. The particles were heterogeneous with the maximum particles of an average size of 3.719mum. Results indicated that the mean particle size of the microspheres increased with an increase in the concentration of polymer and the cross-linker as well as the cross-linking time. The entrapment efficiency was found to be in the range of 40-91%. Concentration of the cross-linker up to 7.5% caused increase in the entrapment efficiency and the extent of drug release. Optimized isoniazid-alginate microspheres were found to possess good bioadhesion (72.25+/-1.015%). The bioadhesive property of the particles resulted in prolonged retention in the small intestine. Microspheres could be observed in the intestinal lumen at 4h and were detectable in the intestine 24h post-oral administration, although the percent radioactivity had significantly decreased (t(1/2) of (99m)Tc=4-5h). Increased drug loading (91%) was observed for the optimized formulation suggesting the efficiency of the method. Nearly 26% of INH was released in SGF pH 1.2 in 6h and 71.25% in SIF pH 7.4 in 30h. No significant drug-polymer interactions were observed in FT-IR studies. Dissolution and gamma-scintigraphy studies have shown promising results proving the utility of the formulation for enteric drug delivery.

Adhesiveness↗
PubMed2004

Poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(acrylic acid) sequential interpenetrating network pH-sensitive microspheres for the delivery of diclofenac sodium to the intestine.

Sequential interpenetrating network (IPN) of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) were prepared and crosslinked with glutaraldehyde (GA) to form pH-sensitive microspheres by the water-in-oil (w/o) emulsification method. Microspheres were used to deliver a model anti-inflammatory drug, diclofenac sodium (DS), to the intestine. The formed IPN was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses were done on the drug-loaded microspheres to confirm the polymorphism of DS. Results indicated a molecular level dispersion of DS in the IPN. Microspheres formed were spherical with the smooth surfaces as evidenced by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Particle size and size distribution was studied using laser light diffraction particle size analyzer. Particle size analysis was also done by optical microscope for the selected microspheres; the change in diameter of the microspheres when soaked in different media at different time intervals was measured by optical microscope. Microspheres showed a pulsatile swelling behavior when the pH of the swelling media was changed. The swelling data were fitted to an empirical equation to understand the phenomenon of water transport as well as to calculate the diffusion coefficient (D). Values of D in acidic media were lower than those found in basic media. The values of D decrease with increasing crosslinking of the matrix. In-vitro release studies have been performed in 1.2 and 7.4 pH media to simulate gastric and intestinal conditions. The results indicated a dependence on the pH of the release media, extent of crosslinking and the amount of drug loading.

Acrylic Resins↗
PubMed2004

Study of gamma-irradiation effects on aciclovir poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic) acid microspheres for intravitreal administration.

Gamma-irradiation effects on aciclovir poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) microspheres, with gelatin as additive, were studied. Microspheres with a 2:2:10 aciclovir:gelatin:polymer ratio were prepared by the solvent evaporation method and sterilised by gamma-irradiation at a dose of 25 kGy. Loading efficiency, morphology (particle size analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM)), physical chemistry (infrared (IR) absorption spectrophotometry, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction and gel permeation chromatography (GPC)) and in vitro release assays for 73 days were performed to evaluate the sterilisation effect on microsphere characteristics. After gamma-irradiation, no surface changes were observed by SEM. Microparticle mean diameter and aciclovir loading efficiency were not affected by gamma-ray exposition. IR spectroscopy, DSC and X-ray diffraction showed no modification of the bulk properties of the microspheres or their components. The controlled release profiles of aciclovir-loaded microspheres for 73 days were not altered upon exposure to gamma-irradiation. GPC measurements showed a decrease in molecular weight of the polymer. The sterilisation method is adequate because microspheres underwent no change after exposition to gamma-irradiation. These favourable properties of the aciclovir-loaded microspheres make them a suitable system for the intravitreal treatment of herpes virus infections, in an animal model.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed2005

Stability of insulin during the erosion of poly(lactic acid) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres.

In recent years, the acylation of peptides during the erosion of poly(lactic acid) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres has been described in the literature. To investigate whether insulin is prone to the covalent attachment of lactic or glycolic acid, insulin-loaded PLA and PLGA microspheres containing 5% bovine insulin were manufactured using a w/o/w multiple emulsion-solvent evaporation technique. Microspheres were characterized for their insulin encapsulation efficiency and release characteristics in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C. Moreover, the stability of the peptide during 18 days of release was evaluated using HPLC and HPLC-MS techniques. The results showed that the insulin loading efficiencies of PLA and PLGA microspheres were 75.18% and 79.63%, respectively. The microspheres were spherical with relatively porous surfaces with an average diameter of 40 and 53 mum, respectively. Insulin release from the microspheres was characterized by an initial burst, which was attributed to the amount of protein located on or close to the microsphere surface. The total ion chromatogram (TIC) of insulin samples extracted after 18 days of erosion in phosphate buffer pH 7.4 at 37 degrees C revealed that deamidation was the major mechanism of instability. Surprisingly, no acylation products were found. Control experiments in concentrated lactic acid solutions confirmed a minimal reactivity of the peptide under these conditions.

Drug Stability↗
PubMed2005

Heparin-loaded zein microsphere film and hemocompatibility.

Zein was studied as a drug-eluting coating film composed of zein microspheres for cardiovascular devices (e.g. stent). In vitro 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) analysis showed that both zein film and its degraded product had better biocompatibility compared with Corning culture plate on the growth of human umbilical veins endothelial cells (HUVECs, p<0.05, n=6), and the effect of zein degraded product on HUVECs was dose-dependent. The best result was obtained at 0.3 mg/ml of the addition. The encapsulation efficiency of heparin and heparin loading varied with the amount of both zein and heparin, and the highest encapsulation efficiency (heparin 1.33 mg/ml and zein 16 mg/ml) was 22.77+/-1.33% (n=3). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation indicated that the zein film was made of microspheres in diameter from nano- to micrometer, which could be controlled. Sizes of heparin-loaded zein microspheres changed before and after release of heparin because of conglutination among zein microspheres. Release rate of heparin from microsphere film reached to 33.5+/-1.2% within 12 h, and began to get into subsequent "slow release" phase; about 55% of the entrapped heparin was released after 20 days. Both zein film and heparin-loaded zein microsphere film were effective in suppressing platelet adhesion, and the heparin-loaded film showed a better anticoagulation as determined with thrombin time (TT) assay. These results suggest that zein film could be used directly as a new type of coating material for its better biocompatibility with HUVECs. Moreover, the heparin-loaded zein microsphere film can significantly improve the hemocompatibility.

Anticoagulants↗
PubMed2005

Mobility of model proteins in hydrogels composed of oppositely charged dextran microspheres studied by protein release and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching.

In this paper, the release of proteins from a novel self-gelling hydrogel based on biodegradable dextran microspheres is investigated. The protein-loaded macroscopic gels are obtained by hydration of mixtures of oppositely charged hydroxyethyl methacrylate-derivatized dextran microspheres with a protein solution. In media of low ionic strength (100 mM Hepes pH 7.0) it was found that the release of the entrapped model proteins (lysozyme, BSA and IgG) was slower than in saline (150 mM NaCl, 100 mM Hepes pH 7.0). The reason behind this observation is that substantial adsorption of the proteins onto the microspheres' surface and/or absorption in the microspheres takes place. Confocal images showed that independent of their crosslink density the microspheres are impermeable for BSA and IgG. BSA, bearing a negative charge at neutral pH, was adsorbed onto the surface of positively charged microspheres. Lysozyme, which is positively charged at neutral pH, was able to penetrate into the negatively charged microspheres. In saline, the gels showed continuous release of the different proteins for 25 to 60 days. Importantly, lysozyme was quantitatively and with full preservation of its enzymatic activity released in about 25 days. This emphasizes the protein friendly technology to prepare the protein-loaded gels. Mathematical modeling revealed that protein release followed Fick's second law, indicating that the systems are primarily diffusion controlled. These results show that these hydrogels are very suitable as injectable matrix for diffusion-controlled delivery of pharmaceutically active proteins.

Adsorption↗