壳聚糖微球/纳米羟基磷灰石/聚乳酸-羟基乙酸复合支架制备及其蛋白缓释效果:与单纯纳米羟基磷灰石/聚乳酸-羟基乙酸支架、壳聚糖微球的比较

背景:骨组织工程骨构建中如何使生长因子持续高效发挥作用是影响成骨速度和质量的关键,现多以各种材料的微球或支架作为缓释载体,但缓释作用有待提高。目的:实验拟制备壳聚糖微球,然后复合到纳米羟基磷灰石/聚乳酸-羟基乙酸支架上,形成双重缓释作用,并测量对牛血清白蛋白的释放效果。方法:以牛血清白蛋白为模型药物,采用乳化交联法制备壳聚糖微球。将微球与纳米羟基磷灰石、聚乳酸-羟基乙酸按一定比例混合,以冰粒子为致孔剂,采用冷冻干燥法制备壳聚糖微球/纳米羟基磷灰石/聚乳酸-羟基乙酸复合支架。利用扫描电镜、激光粒度分析仪、压泵仪和力学性能测试仪检测复合支架的形态性能,考察药物在缓释支架上的体外释放规律。结果与结论:所制备的壳聚糖微球形态良好,呈规则圆球形,粒径集中分布在20～40μm,微球药物包封率为86.5%,载药量为0.8%,随牛血清白蛋白初始用量的增加,载药量可升高至2.6%,但包封率下降至74.1%。壳聚糖微球能均匀分布在聚乳酸-羟基乙酸支架上,形成壳聚糖微球/纳米羟基磷灰石/聚乳酸-羟基乙酸复合支架,孔径为100～400μm,孔隙率80%,压缩强度为1.1～2.3MPa,10周降解率为26.5%。单纯纳米羟基磷灰石/聚乳酸-羟基乙酸支架其牛血清白蛋白在36h累积释放量达85%以上,壳聚糖微球其牛血清白蛋白10d累积释放量为33.6%,复合支架其牛血清白蛋白40d累积释放量为81.5%。结果证实包埋壳聚糖微球的纳米羟基磷灰石/聚乳酸-羟基乙酸支架其压缩强度和降解速率合适,对蛋白类药物具有良好的缓释作用,有望作为组织工程的支架材料和生长因子的缓释载体。     

利福平/聚乳酸-聚羟基乙酸缓释微球的制备及特性

背景：虽然国内外有很多制备利福平/聚乳酸-聚羟基乙酸共聚物(poly lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer,PLGA)微球的报道,但这些微球粒径多在10 μm左右,不适合与磷酸钙骨水泥复合制备成具有良好降解性的抗结核修复材料。 目的：制备大粒径利福平/PLGA缓释微球,观察其理化特性和体外缓释特性。 方法：以PLGA为载体,将利福平分散于PLGA的有机溶剂中,采用复乳溶剂挥发法制备利福平/ PLGA缓释微球。光镜和扫描电镜下观察微球的形态特征,测定微球平均直径和跨距,高效液相色谱法测定载药量和包封率,以溶出法和高效液相色谱法观察其体外释药特性,并拟合药物体外释放曲线建立曲线方程。 结果与结论：利福平/PLGA微球电镜观察呈圆球形,分散性好,粘连少,粒径分布集中,平均粒径(80.0±9.4) μm。载药量、包封率分别为(33.18±1.36)%,(54.79±1.13)%。体外缓释试验显示突释期内微球释放度为(14.66±0.18)%,前3 d累计释放度(18.09±0.45)%,到42 d体外累积释放度达到(92.17±1.23)%。提示利福平/PLGA微球具有良好的缓释效果,是一种较为理想的抗结核药物的载体材料和释放系统;PLGA是良好的药物缓释载体,可以用来制备载药缓释微球。     

生长因子缓释系统复合纳米支架材料修复犬下颌骨缺损

背景：支架材料联合细胞因子构建组织工程骨不受血管化和细胞培养因素的限制,这种构建模式可能诱导出较大体积的实用型组织工程骨。 目的：观察壳聚糖纳米微球/纳米羟基磷灰石/聚乳酸-羟基乙酸复合生长因子缓释支架修复犬下颌骨临界骨缺损的能力。 方法：取杂种犬12条,制作双侧下颌骨临界骨缺损模型,一侧植入复合生长因子骨形态发生蛋白2、转化生长因子β1及血管内皮生长因子165的壳聚糖纳米微球/纳米羟基磷灰石/聚乳酸-羟基乙酸缓释支架(实验组),另一侧植入壳聚糖纳米微球/纳米羟基磷灰石/聚乳酸-羟基乙酸缓释支架(对照组),术后4,8,12周取下颌骨标本行X 射线、组织学及免疫组织化学检查。 结果与结论：实验组术后不同时间点X射线灰度值及骨钙素积分吸光度值均高于对照组(P < 0.05),表明复合生长因子的支架材料修复骨缺损的成骨能力优于未复合生长因子的支架材料。组织学观察结果显示,实验组术后不同时间点成骨时间及效果均优于对照组,表明复合生长因子骨形态发生蛋白2、转化生长因子β1及血管内皮生长因子165的壳聚糖纳米微球/纳米羟基磷灰石/聚乳酸-羟基乙酸缓释支架可更快更有效地促进骨缺损修复。     

载ADM-PLGA纳米微球的ADM-PLGA-NHAC制备及其对人骨肉瘤MG63细胞的抑制作用

目的　研制载阿霉素(ADM)的聚乳酸-羟基乙酸共聚物(PLGA)纳米微球的纳米羟基磷灰石/胶原复合支架（ADM-PLGA-NHAC）,研究其性质及体外释药特点,探讨其体外抑制人骨肉瘤MG63细胞的作用,为骨肉瘤的治疗提供新策略。 方法　以纳米羟基磷灰石及胶原为原料制备纳米羟基磷灰石/胶原支架并在其中加载ADM-PLGA纳米微球, 通过扫描电子显微镜、体外释放行为等手段评价载药支架材料的性能。以CCK8法、活-死染色评价该复合支架的浸提液在体外对人骨肉瘤MG63细胞株的抗肿瘤活性。 结果　复合支架的孔径多在100~200 μm,孔隙率约为82%,微球与支架间结合较为紧密。复合支架具有良好的缓释特性,28 d内能持续缓慢释放阿霉素。复合支架的浸提液对骨肉瘤MG63细胞生长有明显的抑制作用。 结论　制备的ADM-PLGA-NHAC复合支架具有良好的药物缓释特性及抗肿瘤效应,是一种具有良好应用前景的抗骨肉瘤骨修复材料。     

载羟基喜树碱聚乳酸-羟基乙酸微球的制备及相关性能研究

目的制备一种载羟基喜树碱的聚乳酸-羟基乙酸(PLGA)缓释微球,并考察其相关性能。方法采用乳化-溶剂挥发法制备羟基喜树碱PLGA微球,用扫描电子显微镜观察载药微球表面形态,测定平均粒径及跨距,高效液相色谱检测包封率、载药率及体外释放情况,改良寇氏法计算小鼠半数致死量。结果制备的载药PLGA微球呈圆球形,表面光滑,无粘连,平均粒径30.8μm,跨距0.9,包封率为85.5%、载药率4.28%,在体外28 d累积释放药物81.4%。羟基喜树碱小鼠静脉注射的半数致死量为18.4 mg/kg,肌内注射半数致死量为71.3 mg/kg,而羟基喜树碱PLGA微球肌内注射的半数致死量为138.5 mg/kg。结论乳化-溶剂挥发法制备的羟基喜树碱PLGA微球粒径适宜,包封率、载药率高,缓释效果好,毒性低,具有潜在的临床应用价值。     

聚乳酸/壳聚糖纳米纤维/纳米羟基磷灰石支架与兔软骨细胞的相容性

背景：传统的支架材料存在疏水性强,材料表面缺乏细胞表面受体特异结合的生物活性分子,材料的酸性降解产物易引发无菌性炎性反应等不足。根据仿生原理及软骨真实结构和构成来选择和制备组织工程软骨支架能够获得理想效果。 目的：制备聚乳酸/壳聚糖纳米纤维/纳米羟基磷灰石支架,评价其与兔膝关节软骨细胞的生物相容性,探讨其应用于关节软骨组织工程的可行性。 方法：采用二次相分离技术制备聚乳酸/壳聚糖纳米纤维/纳米羟基磷灰石复合支架,将第3代新西兰兔软骨细胞接种至复合支架材料上复合培养,倒置相差显微镜下观察细胞生长情况。细胞-支架复合物在24孔板中培养5 d以后,将其植入裸鼠皮下8周。 结果与结论：聚乳酸/壳聚糖纳米纤维/纳米羟基磷灰石支架材料经化学合成后,具有合适的三维多孔结构,孔隙率为90%,孔径300~450 μm;植入裸鼠皮下8周后Ⅱ型胶原免疫组织化学染色和甲苯胺蓝染色显示细胞-支架复合物中的软骨细胞可以像天然软骨一样分泌黏多糖和Ⅱ型胶原。提示生物材料聚乳酸/壳聚糖纳米纤维/纳米羟基磷灰石对于兔软骨细胞有良好的生物相容性,可作为生物组织工程支架。     

硫酸长春新碱缓释药膜的制备及稳定性初步研究

目的制备出载硫酸长春新碱微球的胶原-壳聚糖缓释药膜,并考察该制剂的稳定性。方法采用W/O/O溶剂挥发法制备载硫酸长春新碱的聚乳酸/聚羟基乙酸共聚物(PLGA)微球,后把微球与壳聚糖、胶原溶液共混及二次冻干,制备出载硫酸长春新碱微球的胶原-壳聚糖药膜。对微球和药膜表面形态进行了电镜观察,测定了微球和药膜的包封率、载药量及药物释放,药物含量采用高效液相法检测。此外,还初步考察了缓释药膜的稳定性。结果制备的微球包封率达到79.0%±1.0%,微球药物的突释为27.2%±1.2%,制备成药膜后降低到18.0%±1.1%,采用该工艺流程制备出来的缓释药膜,药物突释明显减少。稳定性实验显示,该药膜在40℃条件下放置3个月药物含量下降到97.9%±0.1%,而高湿度或光照环境下放置10 d药物含量下降到91.4%±0.3%和91.2%±0.4%。结论药物包囊制成微球后与胶原、壳聚糖共混制备出的缓释药膜具有较好的释放特性和稳定性,有望成为一种实用的新型缓释抗肿瘤制剂。     

强的松龙纳米微球缓释膜制备及缓释特性

背景:近年来将强的松龙应用于促进周围神经损伤后功能恢复取得了良好效果,但因半衰期短、局部应用血药浓度不稳定及较大的不良反应限制了其临床应用。目的:制备强的松龙纳米微球缓释膜并对其药物缓释特性进行检测。方法:采用反胶束乳化溶剂挥发法制备强的松龙纳米微球,对载药纳米微球的形态、粒径、载药量、包封率和体外释药行为等性质进行研究;同时将纳米微球与胶原、壳聚糖、大豆卵磷脂等膜材相结合,制得复合药膜,考察复合药膜的形貌、膜中材料的相互作用及药膜的体外释药行为。结果与结论:强的松龙纳米微球具有良好的微观结构,药物均匀分布于纳米微球中,纳米微球粒径均一,表面光滑,平均粒径500 nm,包封率达90%以上,体外缓释实验药物释放良好,存在一定的药物突释现象。观察球膜结合方法制得的复合膜,可见纳米微球均匀分散于复合膜中,复合膜微观结构良好,体外缓释实验见复合膜药物释放更加稳定,无明显药物突释现象出现,显示了良好的药物释放效果。表明通过反胶束乳化溶剂挥发法和球膜结合方法制备出的强的松龙缓释膜剂具有良好的药物缓释特性。     

聚乙二醇对利福平-聚乳酸-羟基乙酸聚合物缓释微球性能的影响

背景：聚乳酸-羟基乙酸共聚物微球具有良好的生物相容性,是优良的药物缓释载体,但缓释微球的突释问题严重影响了其临床应用。 目的：观察聚乙二醇对利福平-聚乳酸-羟基乙酸聚合物缓释微球特征、载药率、包封率、体外释放规律及突释的影响。 方法：以高分子材料聚乳酸-羟基乙酸共聚物作为载体,采用复乳化-溶剂挥发法制备聚乙二醇-利福平-聚乳酸-羟基乙酸聚合物微球(实验组)和利福平-聚乳酸-羟基乙酸聚合物微球(对照组)。扫描电子显微镜观察两组聚合物缓释微球特征,高效液相色谱法检测两组微球在不同时段模拟体液中的利福平药物浓度及累计释放量,计算两组微球的载药量、包封率。 结果与结论：与对照组比较,实验组微球表面光滑、粒径减小、分散良好,包封率和载药量明显提高。实验组微球3 h内药物释放量最大,1 d左右药物释放趋于平稳稳定状态,1 d药物累计释放量小于20%;对照组微球3 h内药物释放量最大,约为实验组的1.5倍,1 d左右药物释放也趋于平稳状态。表明聚乙二醇可改善利福平-聚乳酸-羟基乙酸聚合物缓释微球的成球率,减小其粒径,增加其载药量和包封率,控制其突释现象。 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：生物材料;骨生物材料; 口腔生物材料; 纳米材料; 缓释材料; 材料相容性;组织工程全文链接：     

胶原-壳聚糖载硫酸长春新碱微球缓释药膜的研究

目的本研究制备载硫酸长春新碱(vincristinesulfate,VCR)微球的胶原-壳聚糖缓释药膜。并考察加入壳聚糖对药膜性质的影响。选定适当的胶原壳聚糖比例制备药膜。方法采用W/O/O溶剂挥发法制备VCR的聚乳酸-羟基乙酸(poly(lactic-co-glycolicacid),PLGA)微球,并对微球性质表征,采用二次冻干法制备载VCR微球的胶原-壳聚糖药膜,对药膜的表面形态、降解性质、热力学性质及释放性质进行表征,并与释放2周后的药膜进行比较。采用高效液相法分析药物含量。结果VCR制成PLGA微球后再制备成药膜,可达到双重缓释的作用,明显减少药物突释,并延缓药物释放。添加了壳聚糖的药膜降解速度明显小于单纯的胶原药膜。在体外释放实验中,微球突释为(27.2±1.2)%,而胶原药膜的突释为(20.4±1.9)%,胶原与壳聚糖比例为9∶1、4∶1、3∶2的药膜突释分别为(20.2±2.1)%、(18.0±1.1)%和(16.3±1.8)%。结论胶原壳聚糖载VCR的缓释药膜能不同程度减少药物的突释,使药物释放更加平稳缓慢,优于单纯的胶原药膜。     

聚乳酸-羟基乙酸共聚物/硅酸钙三维多孔骨组织工程支架的构建与性能

BACKGROUND: Some disadvantages exsist in commonly used poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffolds, including acidic degradation products, suboptimal mechanical properties, low pore size, poor porosity and pore connectivity rate and uncontrollable shape. OBJECTIVE: To construct a scaffold with three-dimensional (3D) pores by adding calcium silicate to improve the properties of PLGA, and then detect its degradability, mechanical properties and biocompatibility. METHODS: PLGA/calcium silicate porous composite microspheres were prepared by the emulsion-solvent evaporation method, and PLGA 3D porous scaffold was established by 3D-Bioplotter, and then PLGA/calcium silicate composite porous scaffolds were constructed by combining the microspheres with the scaffold using low temperature fusion technology. The compositions, morphology and degradability of the PLGA/calcium silicate porous composite microspheres and PLGA microspheres, as well as the morphology, pore properties and compression strength of the PLGA 3D scaffolds and PLGA/calcium silicate composite porous scaffolds were measured, respectively. Mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were respectively cultivated in the extracts of PLGA/calcium silicate porous composite microspheres and PLGA microspheres, and then were respectively seeded onto the PLGA 3D scaffolds and PLGA/calcium silicate composite porous scaffolds. Thereafter, the cell proliferation activity was detected at 1, 3 and 5 days. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Regular pores on the PLGA microspheres and internal cavities were formed, and the PH values of the degradation products were improved after adding calcium silicate. The fiber diameter, pore, porosity and average pore size of the composite porous scaffolds were all smaller than those of the PLGA scaffolds. The compression strength and elasticity modulus of the composite porous scaffolds were both higher than those of the PLGA scaffolds (P < 0.05). Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells grew well in above microsphere extracts and scaffolds. These results indicate that PLGA/calcium silicate composite porous scaffolds exhibit good degradability in vitro, mechanical properties and biocompatibility.     

Preparation and characterization of nano-hydroxyapatite/silk fibroin porous scaffolds

Novel tissue engineering scaffold materials of nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA)/silk fibroin (SF) biocomposite were prepared by freeze-drying. The needle-like nHA crystals of about 10 nm in diameter by 50-80 nm in length, which were uniformly distributed in the porous nHA/SF scaffolds, were prepared by a co-precipitation method with a size. The as-prepared nHA/SF scaffolds showed good homogeneity, interconnected pores and high porosity. XRD and FT-IR analysis suggested that the silk fibroin was in beta-sheet structure, which usually provides outstanding mechanical properties for silk materials. In this work, composite scaffolds containing as high as 70% (w/w) nHA were prepared, which had excellent compressive modulus and strength, higher than the scaffolds at low nHA content level and other porous biodegradable polymeric scaffolds often considered in bone-related tissue engineering reported previously. The cell compatibility of composite scaffolds was evaluated through cell viability by MTT assay. All these results indicated that these nHA/SF scaffold materials may be a promising biomaterial for bone tissue engineering.     

Controllable dual-release of dexamethasone and bovine serum albumin from PLGA/β-tricalcium phosphate composite scaffolds

Localized dual-drug delivery from biodegradable scaffolds is an important strategy in tissue engineering. In this study, porous poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)/β-tricalcium phosphate scaffolds containing both dexamethasone (Dex) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were prepared by incorporating Dex-loaded and BSA-loaded microspheres into the scaffolds. PLGA microspheres containing Dex or BSA were prepared by spray-drying and double emulsion/solvent evaporation, respectively. In vitro release studies indicated that microspheres prepared from PLGA in 3:1 molar ratio of L-lactide/glycolide and 89.5 kDa relative molecular mass showed prolonged release profiles compared with those prepared from PLGA in 1:1 L-lactide/glycolide molar ratio and 30.5 kDa relative molecular mass. Additionally, introduction of poly(ethylene glycol) in the PLGA chain could improve the encapsulation efficiency and reduce the release rate. Based on the above results, controllable dual-release of Dex and BSA with relatively higher or lower release rate was achieved by incorporating Dex-loaded and BSA-loaded microspheres with different release profiles into the PLGA/β-tricalcium phosphate scaffolds.     

In vitro characterization of hepatocyte growth factor release from PHBV/PLGA microsphere scaffold

Polymer scaffolds which can support cells to grow as well as deliver growth factors to the cells simultaneously have great potential for the successful regeneration of failed tissues. As popularly used vehicles to deliver anti-cancer drugs and growth factors, microspheres also show many advantages as substrates to guide the growth of cells. Therefore, we aimed to examine the feasibility of using microspheres as ideal scaffolds for liver tissue engineering. To determine the capabilities of previously used microsphere scaffold to deliver growth factors simultaneously, this work investigated a long-term (about three months) release of bovine serum albumin (BSA) from microsphere scaffolds fabricated by using two different polymers, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV, 8% PHV), poly(lactide-co-glycolide) acid (PLGA, 5050) and a blend of PLGA and PHBV. BSA served as a model for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) since both proteins have similar molecular weights and hydrophilicity. Furthermore, HGF was encapsulated into the PLGA/PHBV composite microsphere with a core-shell structure, and sustained delivery of HGF with maintained bioactivity was achieved for at least 40 days. The moderate degradation rate (about 55% loss of the initial mass) and well-preserved structure after three months of incubation indicated that the PLGA/PHBV composite microspheres would therefore be more suitable than the pure PHBV or PLGA microspheres as a scaffold for engineering liver tissue.     

Preparation and characterization of nano-hydroxyapatite/silk fibroin porous scaffolds

Novel tissue engineering scaffold materials of nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA)/silk fibroin (SF) biocomposite were prepared by freeze-drying. The needle-like nHA crystals of about 10 nm in diameter by 50–80 nm in length, which were uniformly distributed in the porous nHA/SF scaffolds, were prepared by a co-precipitation method with a size. The as-prepared nHA/SF scaffolds showed good homogeneity, interconnected pores and high porosity. XRD and FT-IR analysis suggested that the silk fibroin was in β-sheet structure, which usually provides outstanding mechanical properties for silk materials. In this work, composite scaffolds containing as high as 70% (w/w) nHA were prepared, which had excellent compressive modulus and strength, higher than the scaffolds at low nHA content level and other porous biodegradable polymeric scaffolds often considered in bone-related tissue engineering reported previously. The cell compatibility of composite scaffolds was evaluated through cell viability by MTT assay. All these results indicated that these nHA/SF scaffold materials may be a promising biomaterial for bone tissue engineering.     

Novel mesoporous silica-based antibiotic releasing scaffold for bone repair

Tissue engineering scaffolds with a micro- or nanoporous structure and able to deliver special drugs have already been confirmed to be effective in bone repair. In this paper, we first evaluated the biomineralization properties and drug release properties of a novel mesoporous silica–hydroxyapatite composite material (HMS–HA) which was used as drug vehicle and filler for polymer matrices. Biomineralization can offer a credible prediction of bioactivity for the synthetic bone regeneration materials. We found HMS–HA exhibited good apatite deposition properties after being soaked in simulated body fluid (SBF) for 7 days. Drug delivery from HMS–HA particle was in line with Fick’s law, and the release process lasted 12 h after an initial burst release with 60% drug release. A novel tissue engineering scaffold with the function of controlled drug delivery was developed, which was based on HMS–HA particles, poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and microspheres sintering techniques. Mechanical testing on compression, degradation behavior, pH-compensation effect and drug delivery behavior of PLGA/HMS–HA microspheres sintered scaffolds were analyzed. Cell toxicity and cell proliferation on the scaffolds was also evaluated. The results indicated that the PLGA/HMS–HA scaffolds could effectively compensate the increased pH values caused by the acidic degradation product of PLGA. The compressive strength and modulus of PLGA/HMS–HA scaffolds were remarkably high compared to pure PLGA scaffold. Drug delivery testing of the PLGA/HMS–HA scaffolds indicated that PLGA slowed gentamycin sulfate (GS) release from HMS–HA particles, and the release lasted for nearly one month. Adding HMS–HA to PLGA scaffolds improved cytocompatibility. The scaffolds demonstrated low cytotoxicity, and supported mesenchymal stem cells growth more effectively than pure PLGA scaffolds. To summarize, the data supports the development of PLGA/HMS–HA scaffolds as potential degradable and drug delivery materials for bone replacement.     

PLGA microsphere/calcium phosphate cement composites for tissue engineering: in vitro release and degradation characteristics

Bone cements with biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres have already been proven to provide a macroporous calcium phosphate cement (CPC) during in situ microsphere degradation. Furthermore, in vitro/in vivo release studies with these PLGA microsphere/CPC composites (PLGA/CPCs) showed a sustained release of osteo-inductive growth factor when drug was distributed inside/onto the microspheres. The goal of this study was to elucidate the mechanism behind drug release from PLGA/CPC. For this, in vitro release and degradation characteristics of a low-molecular-weight PLGA/CPC (M(w) = 5 kg/mol) were determined using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model protein. Two loading mechanisms were applied; BSA was either adsorbed onto the microspheres or incorporated inside the microspheres during double-emulsion. BSA release from PLGA microspheres and CPC was also measured and used as reference. Results show fast degrading polymer microspheres which produced a macroporous scaffold within 4 weeks, but also showed a concomitant release of acidic degradation products. BSA release from the PLGA/CPC was similar to the CPC samples and showed a pattern consisting of a small initial release, followed by a period of almost no sustained release. Separate PLGA microspheres exhibited a high burst release and release efficiency that was higher with the adsorbed samples. Combining degradation and release data we can conclude that for the PLGA/CPC samples BSA re-adsorbed to the cement surface after being released from the microspheres, which was mediated by the pH decrease during microsphere degradation.     

Surface studies of coated polymer microspheres and protein release from tissue-engineered scaffolds

The controlled release of growth factors from porous, polymer scaffolds is being studied for potential use as tissue-engineered scaffolds. Biodegradable polymer microspheres were coated with a biocompatible polymer membrane to permit the incorporation of the microspheres into tissue-engineered scaffolds. Surface studies with poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) [PLGA], and poly(vinyl alcohol) [PVA] were conducted. Polymer films were dip-coated onto glass slides and water contact angles were measured. The contact angles revealed an initially hydrophobic PLGA film, which became hydrophilic after PVA coating. After immersion in water, the PVA coating was removed and a hydrophobic PLGA film remained. Following optimization using these 2D contact angle studies, biodegradable PLGA microspheres were prepared, characterized, and coated with PVA. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to further characterize coated slides and microspheres. The release of the model protein bovine serum albumin from PVA-coated PLGA microspheres was studied over 8 days. The release of BSA from PVA-coated PLGA microspheres embedded in porous PLGA scaffolds over 24 days was also examined. Coating of the PLGA microspheres with PVA permitted their incorporation into tissue-engineered scaffolds and resulted in a controlled release of BSA.     

Surface studies of coated polymer microspheres and protein release from tissue-engineered scaffolds

The controlled release of growth factors from porous, polymer scaffolds is being studied for potential use as tissue-engineered scaffolds. Biodegradable polymer microspheres were coated with a biocompatible polymer membrane to permit the incorporation of the microspheres into tissueengineered scaffolds. Surface studies with poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) [PLGA], and poly(vinyl alcohol) [PVA] were conducted. Polymer films were dip-coated onto glass slides and water contact angles were measured. The contact angles revealed an initially hydrophobic PLGA film, which became hydrophilic after PVA coating. After immersion in water, the PVA coating was removed and a hydrophobic PLGA film remained. Following optimization using these 2D contact angle studies, biodegradable PLGA microspheres were prepared, characterized, and coated with PVA. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to further characterize coated slides and microspheres. The release of the model protein bovine serum albumin from PVA-coated PLGA microspheres was studied over 8 days. The release of BSA from PVA-coated PLGA microspheres embedded in porous PLGA scaffolds over 24 days was also examined. Coating of the PLGA microspheres with PVA permitted their incorporation into tissue-engineered scaffolds and resulted in a controlled release of BSA.     

Controlled drug release from a novel injectable biodegradable microsphere/scaffold composite based on poly(propylene fumarate)

The ideal biomaterial for the repair of bone defects is expected to have good mechanical properties, be fabricated easily into a desired shape, support cell attachment, allow controlled release of bioactive factors to induce bone formation, and biodegrade into nontoxic products to permit natural bone formation and remodeling. The synthetic polymer poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF) holds great promise as such a biomaterial. In previous work we developed poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and PPF microspheres for the controlled delivery of bioactive molecules. This study presents an approach to incorporate these microspheres into an injectable, porous PPF scaffold. Model drug Texas red dextran (TRD) was encapsulated into biodegradable PLGA and PPF microspheres at 2 microg/mg microsphere. Five porous composite formulations were fabricated via a gas foaming technique by combining the injectable PPF paste with the PLGA or PPF microspheres at 100 or 250 mg microsphere per composite formulation, or a control aqueous TRD solution (200 microg per composite). All scaffolds had an interconnected pore network with an average porosity of 64.8 +/- 3.6%. The presence of microspheres in the composite scaffolds was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy. The composite scaffolds exhibited a sustained release of the model drug for at least 28 days and had minimal burst release during the initial phase of release, as compared to drug release from microspheres alone. The compressive moduli of the scaffolds were between 2.4 and 26.2 MPa after fabrication, and between 14.9 and 62.8 MPa after 28 days in PBS. The scaffolds containing PPF microspheres exhibited a significantly higher initial compressive modulus than those containing PLGA microspheres. Increasing the amount of microspheres in the composites was found to significantly decrease the initial compressive modulus. The novel injectable PPF-based microsphere/scaffold composites developed in this study are promising to serve as vehicles for controlled drug delivery for bone tissue engineering.