In Situ-Formed Microparticles of PLGA from O/W Emulsions Stabilized with PVA: Encapsulation and Controlled Release of Progesterone

In situ-formed microspheres are an alternative to expensive and complex manufactured preformed systems for the controlled release of drugs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of stable O/W emulsions to entrap progesterone after in vitro precipitation of poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microparticles. This was achieved by a solvent selection based on their miscibility and capability to solubilize the drug and PLGA. Stability assays, size distribution studies, and progesterone encapsulation efficiency evaluation were carried out for the candidate formulations. After selection of the most suitable formulations, in vitro-controlled release test of progesterone were done. Results demonstrate that emulsions based on triacetin and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) aqueous solutions were useful solvent systems to obtain microspheres capable to deliver the hormone in a controlled release manner. In addition, for the first time, for these authors, PVA was successfully implemented into a continuous phase to increase the stability of in situ-formed O/W formulations.     

Controlled Release of Plasmid DNA from a Genetically Engineered Silk-Elastinlike Hydrogel

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of a genetically engineered silk-elastinlike polymer (SELP) as a matrix for the controlled release of plasmid DNA. Methods. The influences of SELP concentration, DNA concentration, SELP cure time, and buffer ionic strength on the release of DNA from SELP hydrogels were investigated. To calculate the average effective diffusivity of DNA within the hydrogels, the release data were fitted to a known equation. Results. DNA was released from SELP hydrogels by an ion-exchange mechanism. Under the conditions studied, the release rate was influenced by buffer ionic strength, SELP concentration, and SELP cure time but not DNA concentration. The apparent diffusivity of pRL-CMV plasmid DNA in SELP hydrogels ranged from 3.78 ± 0.37 × 10^-10 cm²/s (for hydrogels containing 12% w/w SELP and cured for 4 h) to 4.69 ± 2.81 × 10^-9 cm²/s (for hydrogels containing 8% w/w SELP and cured for 1 h). Conclusions. The ability to precisely customize the structure and physicochemical properties of SELPs using recombinant techniques, coupled with their ability to form injectable, in situ hydrogel depots that release DNA, renders this class of polymers an interesting candidate for further evaluation in controlled gene delivery.     

Discovery of MK-4409, a Novel Oxazole FAAH Inhibitor for the Treatment of Inflammatory and Neuropathic Pain

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Absorption of Bupivacaine after Administration of a Lozenge as Topical Treatment for Pain from Oral Mucositis

The aim was to investigate systemic exposure after administration of a novel bupivacaine lozenge in healthy individuals with normal mucosa and in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients with oral mucositis. A lozenge containing 5, 10, 25 and 50 mg bupivacaine, respectively, was administered as single dose to 10 healthy individuals, and a lozenge containing 25 mg bupivacaine was administered as single dose to 10 HNC patients with oral mucositis and as multiple doses to five patients with HNC. Blood samples were collected for 6 hr from the healthy individuals and 3 hr from the patients with HNC, respectively, after administration. The plasma concentration–time profiles of bupivacaine were fitted to pharmacokinetic models using nonlinear mixed‐effects modelling, evaluating demographics and health status as covariates. The population pharmacokinetics (PK) of bupivacaine lozenge was best described by a two‐compartment distribution model with absorption transit compartments. All the observed plasma concentrations were well below the bupivacaine concentrations (2000–2250 ng/ml) which have caused toxic symptoms. The PK model suggested that relative bioavailability was two times higher in HNC patients with oral mucositis grade 1–2 and three times higher in HNC patients with oral mucositis grade 3–4 than in the healthy individuals. Simulations showed that the plasma concentrations would be below the toxic limit after repeated dosing every second hour with 25 mg bupivacaine for five days. The 25‐mg bupivacaine lozenges were safe without systemic toxic levels of bupivacaine or risk of side effects. Based on PK simulations of repeated doses of 25 mg every two hours for 16 hr a day, the lozenges can be administered with minimum risk of exceeding the toxic limit.     

Enhancing Initial Release of Peptide from Poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) Microspheres by Addition of a Porosigen and Increasing Drug Load

The objective of this study was to evaluate formulation variables such as drug load and addition of a porosigen in achieving an increased initial release of peptide from poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres by altering carrier characteristics. Leuprolide acetate-loaded PLGA microspheres were prepared by a solvent-extraction–evaporation process and were characterized for their drug load (HPLC assay), bulk density (tapping method), size distribution (dynamic light scattering), specific surface area (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller [BET] analysis), surface morphology (scanning electron microscopy), in vitro drug release (at 37°C), and in vivo efficacy (suppression of rat serum testosterone). Increasing the drug load, and adding various amounts of calcium chloride to organic and aqueous phases of the emulsion during processing yielded particles with increased porosity, lower bulk density, higher specific surface area, and accordingly higher initial release. In an animal model, these formulations showed a faster onset of testosterone suppression compared to microspheres without higher drug load or calcium chloride. The approaches employed in this study were found to be effective in avoiding the therapeutic lag phase usually observed with microencapsulated macromolecular drugs.     

Kinetics of a Model Nucleoside (Guanosine) Release from Biodegradable Poly(dl-lactide-co-glycolide) Microspheres: A Delivery System for Long-Term Intraocular Delivery

The objective of this study was to prepare poly(dl-lactide-co-glycolide)(PLGA) microspheres containing guanosine as a model drug for intraocular administration. Microspheres were prepared by solvent evaporation technique using o/w emulsion system. The influence of composition and molecular weight of PLGA, drug loading efficiency, microsphere size, and in vitro and in vivo release rates were determined. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and FTIR studies were conducted to examine the guanosine–polymer interaction. In vitro release studies indicated that the permeant release from microspheres exhibits an initial burst followed by slow first-order kinetics. Ascending molecular weights of the polymers generated progressively slower release rates. Three different sizes of microspheres were prepared. The release continued for 7 days with a maximum of 70% of the content released within that time period. DSC and FTIR studies showed no polymer–guanosine interaction. A novel microdialysis technique was used to examine the initial release kinetics from microspheres in isolated vitreous humor. This technique was also employed to observe in vivo intravitreal release in albino rabbits. A good correlation exists between in vitro and in vivo release rates from both 75 and 140 kDa PLGA microspheres. Guanosine-loaded microspheres could be prepared for once-a-week intravitreal injection with minimum required concentration maintained throughout the dosing interval. Because the structural and solubility characteristics of guanosine are similar to those of acyclovir and ganciclovir (two acycloguanosine analogues effective against herpes simplex virus [HSV-1] and cytomegalovirus [CMV], respectively), similar biodegradable polymer-based microsphere technology can be employed for the long-term intraocular delivery of these two drugs.