A biodegradable drug delivery system for the treatment of postoperative inflammation

Int J Pharm. 2008 Mar 20;352(1-2):240-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2007.10.054. Epub 2007 Nov 17.

Abstract

Cataract surgery is often performed in patients suffering from associated pathologies. Our goal is to develop a biodegradable drug delivery system (DDS) combined with the artificial intraocular lens (IOL). DDS were manufactured using poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide), or PLGA, and were loaded with triamcinolone acetonide (TA). The loading capacity was approximately 1050 microg of TA per DDS. The higher the molecular weight of PLGA (34,000, 48,000 and 80,000Da), the slower was the release of TA in vitro. Cataract surgery was performed on the right eye of rabbits. IOL was inserted with (i) no DDS, (ii) unloaded DDS PLGA48000, (iii) one loaded DDS PLGA48000, (iv) two loaded DDS. The number of inflammatory cells and the protein concentration were measured in the aqueous humor (AH). Unloaded DDS showed good ocular biocompatibility. One DDS PLGA48000 loaded with TA significantly reduced postoperative ocular inflammation. Two loaded DDS PLGA48000 was even more effective in inhibiting such inflammation. On long-term observation (days 63 and 84), reduction of inflammation could be obtained by insertion of one DDS PLGA48000 and a second DDS PLGA80000. Therefore, our "all in one" system is very promising since it could replace oral treatment and reduce the number of intraocular injections.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Aqueous Humor / metabolism
  • Cataract Extraction / adverse effects*
  • Chemistry, Pharmaceutical
  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • Drug Carriers*
  • Drug Compounding
  • Inflammation / etiology
  • Inflammation / prevention & control*
  • Lactic Acid / chemistry*
  • Lens Implantation, Intraocular / adverse effects*
  • Lenses, Intraocular*
  • Models, Animal
  • Molecular Weight
  • Polyglycolic Acid / chemistry*
  • Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer
  • Prosthesis Design
  • Rabbits
  • Solubility
  • Technology, Pharmaceutical
  • Triamcinolone Acetonide / chemistry
  • Triamcinolone Acetonide / pharmacokinetics
  • Triamcinolone Acetonide / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • Drug Carriers
  • Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer
  • Polyglycolic Acid
  • Lactic Acid
  • Triamcinolone Acetonide