Functionalization of a porous orthopedic implant with dexamethasone, a widely used anti-inflammatory drug, encapsulated within a biodegradable polymer for controlled release could help reduce or eliminate the inflammation response by the local tissue. In this research, we investigated the possibility of using supercritical carbon dioxide (CO₂) for attaching dexamethasone-loaded PLGA (polylactic...

BACKGROUND Biodegradable poly(lactide- co -glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres are a promising carrier for vaccine delivery capable of maturing antigen-presenting cells to stimulate T-cell-mediated immune responses. However, the potential of microspheres to downregulate an allergic response in vivo is unknown. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine whether microspheres could potentiate D...

BACKGROUND Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1 ra) can be disease-modifying in posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). One limitation is its short joint residence time. We hypothesized that IL-1 ra encapsulation in poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres reduces IL-1 ra systemic absorption and provides an enhanced anti-PTOA effect. METHODS IL-1 ra release kinetics and biological acti...

A mathematical reaction-diffusion model is defined to describe the gradual decomposition of polymer microspheres composed of poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) that are used for pharmaceutical drug delivery over extended periods of time. The partial differential equation (PDE) model treats simultaneous first-order generation due to chemical reaction and diffusion of reaction products in s...

Nerve guidance channels (NGCs) promote axonal regeneration after transection injury of the peripheral nerve or spinal cord, yet this regeneration is limited. To enhance regeneration further, we hypothesize that localized delivery of therapeutic molecules combined with the NGC is required. In an attempt to achieve such an NGC, we designed and synthesized a novel NGC in which protein-encapsulated...

        The purpose of this study was to prepare and characterize microspheres loaded by cyclosporine A(CyA)-cyclodextrin (CD) complex. To achieve this goal, PLGA microspheres loaded by CyA CD complex were prepared by multiple emulsificationsolvent evaporation methods.Morphology, size, encapsulation efficiency and drug release from these microspheres were evaluated. Microscopic evaluation of mi...

OBJECTIVE To examine the biocompatibility of a novel nanohydroxyapatite/poly[lactic-co-glycolic acid] (nHA/PLGA) composite and evaluate its feasibility as a scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering. METHODS Chondrocytes of fetal rabbit were cultured with nHA/PLGA scaffold in vitro and the cell viability was assessed by MTT assay first. Cells adhering to nHA/PLGA scaffold were then observed b...

Gamma-irradiation is finding increasing use in the sterilization of pharmaceutical products. However, irradiation might also affect the performance of drug delivery systems. In this study, the influence of gamma-irradiation on the physicochemical properties of two commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) [naproxen sodium (NS) and diclofenac sodium (DS)] was investigated. The...

The poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) sponge fabricated by a gelatin porogen leaching method was filled with fibrin gel to obtain a hybrid scaffold for chondrocytes culture in vitro. The fibrin gel evenly distributed in the hybrid scaffold with visible fibrinogen fibers after drying. In vitro culture it was found that in the hybrid scaffold the chondrocytes distributed more evenly and kept a ro...

Drug (Fenbufen, FBF)-loaded poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and PLGA/gelatin nanofibrous scaffolds were fabricated via electrospinning technique. The influences of gelatin content, fiber arrangement, crosslinking time and pH value of the buffer solution on FBF release behavior of the resulting nanofibrous scaffolds were investigated, with the corresponding FBF-loaded PLGA and PLGA/gelatin...