Encapsulation of drug reservoirs in fibers by emulsion electrospinning: morphology characterization and preliminary release assessment

In this paper, we prepared composite fibers via electrospinning from either W/O or O/W emulsion. SEM images demonstrate the beads-in-string structures in these fibers and proved this technique to be an effective method for microencapsulation. As a practical application, Ca-alginate microspheres, which serve as reservoirs for hydrophilic drugs, were prepared in a reverse emulsion and then incorporated into poly (l-lactic acid) (PLLA) fibers by electrospinning. With the bovine serum albumin (BSA) loaded into the microspheres, the beads-in-string structure thus entrapped hydrophilic proteins in hydrophobic polymeric matrix. In the in vitro release test, BSA, which was released from composite fibers, achieved prolonged release profiles and lower burst release rates than those from naked Ca-alginate microspheres. In comparison with other well-established techniques to prepare microcapsules, such as solvent evaporation and spray-drying techniques, emulsion electrospinning features partly competing, partly complementary characteristics. Extension to other emulsion systems will be able to fabricate new types of functional structures.     

静电纺丝制备担载神经生长因子的聚乳酸纤维的工艺研究

目的:研究担载神经生长因子(NGF)的聚乳酸纤维乳液法静电纺丝的制备工艺,从电压、溶液浓度等工艺条件进行探索,通过扫描电镜对纤维的形态结构进行观察,旨在找到最佳纺丝制备条件,并观察该条件下纤维的体外释放行为和细胞活性。方法:将NGF水溶液分散于聚乳酸(PLLA)溶液中,通过W/O乳液法制备静电纺丝纤维。分别从电压8 k V、10 k V、12 k V,浓度梯度90mg/m L、100 mg/m L、110 mg/m L进行静电纺丝纤维的制备,对纤维的形态等进行表征。使用ELISA对NGF体外释放动力学进行检测,用Alamer Blue试剂考察纤维释放液对于PC12悬浮细胞增殖的影响。结果:浓度和电压对电纺纤维制备影响很大。当浓度过大时,易堵塞纺丝喷头且纤维弯曲,过小时纤维粗细差异较大。电压过大或过小时纤维弯曲情况严重,甚至出现缠绕现象。当浓度为100 mg/m L,电压为10 k V时制备的乳液法静电纺丝聚乳酸纤维直径粗细均匀,具有较好形态。在该条件下的制备的纤维NGF体外有效释放13天,释放液可以促进PC12细胞的增殖。结论:担载NGF的聚乳酸纤维乳液法最佳静电纺丝制备条件为:PLLA溶液浓度100 mg/m L、电压10 k V,该条件下制备的担载NGF的聚乳酸纤维体外释放可累计释放13天,其释放液可有效促进PC12细胞的增殖,为进一步研究担载NGF的聚乳酸纤维导管奠定了一定的工艺基础。     

Self-assembly of polypeptide-containing ABC-type triblock copolymers in aqueous solution and its pH dependence

Self-assembling of novel biodegradable ABC-type triblock copolymer poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(L-lactide)-poly(L-glutamic acid) (PEG-PLLA-PLGA) is studied. In aqueous media, it self-assembles into a spherical micelle with the hydrophobic PLLA segment in the core and the two hydrophilic segments PEG and PLGA in the shell. With the lengths of PEG and PLLA blocks fixed, the diameter of the micelles depends on the length of the PLGA block and on the volume ratio of H(2)O/dimethylformamide (DMF) in the media. When the PLGA block is long enough, morphology of the self-assembly is pH-dependent. It assembles into the spherical micelle in aqueous media at pH 4.5 and into the connected rod at or below pH 3.2. The critical micelle concentration (cmc) of the copolymer changes accordingly with decreasing solution pH. Both aggregation states can convert to each other at the proper pH value. This reversibility is ascribed to the dissociation and neutralization of the COOH groups in the LGA residues. When the PLGA block is short compared to the PEG or PLLA block, it assembles only into the spherical micelle at various pH values.     

Fabrication and characterization of electrospun chitosan nanofibers formed via templating with polyethylene oxide

Chitosan is an abundantly common, naturally occurring, polysaccharide biopolymer. Its biocompatible, biodegradable, and antimicrobial properties have led to significant research toward biological applications such as drug delivery, artificial tissue scaffolds for functional tissue engineering, and wound-healing dressings. For applications such as tissue scaffolding, formation of highly porous mats of nanometer-sized fibers, such as those fabricated via electrospinning, may be quite important. Previously, strong acidic solvents and blending with synthetic polymers have been used to achieve electrospun nanofibers containing chitosan. As an alternative approach, in this work, polyethylene oxide (PEO) has been used as a template to fabricate chitosan nanofibers by electrospinning in a core-sheath geometry, with the PEO sheath serving as a template for the chitosan core. Solutions of 3 wt % chitosan (in acetic acid) and 4 wt % PEO (in water) were found to have matching rheological properties that enabled efficient core-sheath fiber formation. After removing the PEO sheath by washing with deionized water, chitosan nanofibers were obtained. Electron microscopy confirmed nanofibers of approximately 250 nm diameter with a clear core-sheath geometry before sheath removal, and chitosan nanofibers of approximately 100 nm diameter after washing. The resultant fibers were characterized with IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, and the mechanical and electrical properties were evaluated.     

Formation of core-shell type biodegradable polymeric micelles from amphiphilic poly(aspartic acid)-block-polylactide diblock copolymer

Poly(aspartic acid)-block-polylactide diblock copolymers (PAsp-b-PLAs) having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments of various lengths were synthesized. These PAsp-b-PLA diblock copolymers formed polymeric micelles consisting of a hydrophobic PLA core and a hydrophilic, pH-sensitive PAsp shell in aqueous solution. The effects of the segment length of both the PLA and the PAsp portions and the pH of the solution on the shapes and sizes of the PAsp-b-PLA polymeric micelles were investigated. The results indicated a balance between the effects of electrostatic repulsion, hydrogen bonding in the PAsp shell layer, and hydrophobic interactions in the PLA core determine the sizes of the PAsp-b-PLA polymeric micelles. Moreover, the PAsp-b-PLA polymeric micelles did not possess any cytotoxic activity against L929 fibroblast cells. The obtained polymeric micelle should be useful for biodegradable biomedical materials such as drug delivery vehicle.     

Hydrophobically modified hydroxyethyl starch: synthesis, characterization, and aqueous self-assembly into nano-sized polymeric micelles and vesicles

Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) is a water soluble semisynthetic polysaccharide that is used as a plasma volume expander and cryoprotectant. In order to produce a fully biodegradable amphiphilic polymer, HES was esterified with lauric, palmitic, and stearic acids under mild reaction conditions using dicyclohexyl carbodiimide (DCC) and dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP). The molar substitution of the acyl chains (MSfatty acid) was determined with 1H NMR spectroscopy, while the conformational state of the hydrocarbon chains in the graft copolymer was determined using Raman spectroscopy. Furthermore, the aqueous self-assembly of the modified polymer was studied using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results show the formation of 20 to 30 nm micelles, and 250 to 350 nm polymeric vesicles. Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy was used to study the microenvironment of a hydrophobic spin probe loaded inside the formed nanodispersion. It was possible to identify the location of the probe and its distribution between the micelles and vesicles. Finally, the hydrophobically modified HES might find use as a potential drug carrier, warranting the future investigation of its ability to encapsulate and deliver drug candidates.     

Core/Shell nanoparticles with lecithin lipid cores for protein delivery

Core/shell nanoparticles with lipid core, were prepared and characterized as a sustained delivery system for protein. The lipid core is composed of protein-loaded lecithin and the polymeric shell is composed of Pluronics (poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) triblock copolymer, F-127). Based on the preparation method in the previous report by us, the freeze-drying of protein-loaded lecithin was performed in the F-127 aqueous solution containing trehalose used as a cryoprotectant to form stabilized core/shell nanoparticles. Cryo-TEM (transmittance electron microscopy) and a particle size analyzer were used to observe the formation of stabilized core/shell nanoparticles. For the application of core/shell nanoparticles as a protein drug carrier, lysozyme and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were loaded into the core/shell nanoparticles by electrostatic interaction, and the drug release pattern was observed by manipulating the polymeric shell.     

Development and Testing of X-Ray Imaging-Enhanced Poly-L-Lactide Bone Screws

Nanosized iron oxide particles exhibit osteogenic and radiopaque properties. Thus, iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles were incorporated into a biodegradable polymer (poly-L-lactic acid, PLLA) to fabricate a composite bone screw. This multifunctional, 3D printable bone screw was detectable on X-ray examination. In this study, mechanical tests including three-point bending and ultimate tensile strength were conducted to evaluate the optimal ratio of iron oxide nanoparticles in the PLLA composite. Both injection molding and 3D printing techniques were used to fabricate the PLLA bone screws with and without the iron oxide nanoparticles. The fabricated screws were implanted into the femoral condyles of New Zealand White rabbits. Bone blocks containing the PLLA screws were resected 2 and 4 weeks after surgery. Histologic examination of the surrounding bone and the radiopacity of the iron-oxide-containing PLLA screws were evaluated. Our results indicated that addition of iron oxide nanoparticles at 30% significantly decreased the ultimate tensile stress properties of the PLLA screws. The screws with 20% iron oxide exhibited strong radiopacity compared to the screws fabricated without the iron oxide nanoparticles. Four weeks after surgery, the average bone volume of the iron oxide PLLA composite screws was significantly greater than that of PLLA screws without iron oxide. These findings suggested that biodegradable and X-ray detectable PLLA bone screws can be produced by incorporation of 20% iron oxide nanoparticles. Furthermore, these screws had significantly greater osteogenic capability than the PLLA screws without iron oxide.     

Ammonolysis-induced solvent removal: a facile approach for solidifying emulsion droplets into PLGA microspheres

An ammonolysis-based microencapsulation technique useful for the preparation of biodegradable microspheres was described in this study. A dispersed phase consisting of poly- d, l-lactide- co-glycolide, progesterone, and methyl chloroacetate was emulsified in an aqueous phase. Upon addition of ammonia solution, the emulsion droplets were quickly transformed into poly- d, l-lactide- co-glycolide microspheres laden with progesterone. Rapid solvent removal was accompanied by ammonolysis. The chemical reaction converted water-immiscible methyl chloroacetate to water-miscible chloroacetamide and methanol. Chloroacetamide formation was proved by (1)H NMR and ESI-MS studies. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the microspheres contained only small amounts of residual methyl chloroacetate. Incorporation efficiencies of progesterone ranged from 64.3 +/- 1.1 to 72.8 +/- 0.3%, depending upon microsphere formulations. X-ray powder diffractometry analysis substantiated that no polymorphic transition of progesterone occurred during microencapsulation. To evaluate the feasibility of this new method against the commonly used microencapsulation method, microspheres were also prepared by a typical dichloromethane-based solvent evaporation process. The important attributes of microspheres prepared from both methods were characterized for comparison. The new ammonolysis-based microencapsulation process showed interesting features distinct from those of the solvent evaporation process. The microencapsulation process reported in this study might be applicable in loading pharmaceuticals into various polymeric microspheres.     

Improving biocatalytic activity of enzyme-loaded nanofibers by dispersing entangled nanofiber structure

A simple and efficient way of dispersing hydrophobic nanofibers in aqueous solution was devised, and its utility in production and application of enzyme-loaded nanofibers was demonstrated. Polystyrene-based nanofibers were produced via an electro-spinning process. A small amount of maleic anhydride group in the polystyrene fiber was used for covalent attachment of lipase onto the fiber surface. The pristine polystyrene nanofibers are hydrophobic and aggregate in water, forming a tightly collapsed clump. These nanofibers can be dispersed in a surfactant-free aqueous solution via a simple alcohol pretreatment. The tightly aggregated electro-spun polystyrene nanofibers can be dispersed into a loosely entangled structure in aqueous alcohol solution. Once treated with aqueous alcohol solution, the polystyrene nanofibers remain dispersed even in DI water as long as the nanofibers are not dried during the washing step. The dispersion of polystyrene nanofibers increases the enzyme loading up to approximately 8 times and augments the steady-state conversion of a continuous flow reactor filled with enzyme-loaded nanofibers.     

Flurbiprofen release from eudragit RS and RL aqueous nanosuspensions: a kinetic study by DSC and dialysis experiments

The present work investigated the release of Flurbiprofen (FLU) from Eudragit RS100 (RS) and Eudragit RL100 (RL) nanosuspensions to a biological model membrane consisting of Dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) multilamellar vesicles (MLV). This release was compared with those observed from solid drug particles as well as with dialysis experiments. Nanosuspensions were prepared by a modification of Quasi-Emulsion Solvent Diffusion technique. Drug release was monitored by the Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). FLU dispersed in MLV affects the transition temperature (T(m)) of DMPC liposomes, causing a shift towards lower values. The temperature shift is modulated by the drug fraction present in the aqueous lipid bilayer suspension. DSC was also performed, after increasing incubation periods at 37 degrees C, on suspensions of blank liposomes added to fixed amounts of unloaded and FLU-loaded nanosuspensions, as well as to powdered free drug. T(m) shifts, caused by the drug released from the polymeric system or by free-drug dissolution during incubation cycles, were compared with those caused by free drug increasing molar fractions dispersed directly in the membrane during their preparation. These results were compared with the drug release and were followed by a classical dialysis technique. Comparing the suitability of the 2 different techniques in order to follow the drug release as well as the differences between the 2 RL and RS polymer systems, it is possible to confirm the efficacy of DSC in studying the release from polymeric nanoparticulate systems compared with the "classical" release test by dialysis. The different rate of kinetic release could be due to void liposomes, which represent a better uptaking system than aqueous solution in dialysis experiments.     

NGF电纺纤维的体外缓释研究

目的:研究担载神经生长因子(NGF)的静电纺丝纤维的表征,考察NGF电纺纤维对于周围神经修复的效果。方法:将NGF水溶液分散于PLLA溶液,通过W/O乳液法制备静电纺丝纤维,对纤维的形态、力学性能等进行表征,Elisa方法测定NGF的体外释放动力学,Alamer Blue法检测试剂来考察纤维释放液对于PC12细胞增殖的影响。结果:NGF电纺纤维具备良好的形态和力学性质,直径为500-900 nm,纤维具备三维多孔结构。纤维的最大拉伸应力为2.50±0.41 MPa。电纺纤维中NGF在体外可有效释放9天,累积释放量接近3000 pg。细胞活性实验结果显示,第1、3、5、7天释放液的荧光强度与对照组相比有显著差异。结论:担载NGF的乳液法静电纺丝纤维有促进缺损周围神经修复的潜质。     

乳液法神经生长因子（NGF）电纺纤维的体外研究

目的：使用乳液法制备含有神经生长因子（NGF）的电纺纤维,研究其外观形貌和机械强度等物理性能,以及制备过程中NGF活性的变化,纤维中NGF的担载量和纤维体外释放动力学,评价其能否成为理想的神经修复材料,为进一步将NGF电纺纤维应用于周围神经修复奠定基础。方法：将NGF水溶液分散于PLLA溶液,通过W／O乳液法制备静电纺丝缓释纤维,对纤维的外观形貌等物理性能等进行表征,使用Elisa方法测定制备过程中NGF活性的保持以及体外释放动力学。结果：NGF电纺纤维具备类似细胞外基质（ECM）的良好外观形貌和一定的机械强度,其中NGF活性保持19．58％士6．05％,体外有效释放11天。结论：本文制备的乳液法NGF电纺纤维具备良好的物理性能,能够持续缓释有效剂量的NGF,适合作为神经修复材料进行进一步研究。     

New amphiphilic poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)/ poly(L-lactide) triblock copolymers

A new series of cationic, thermo-sensitive, and biodegradable poly(L-lactide)-poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)-poly(L-lactide) (PLLA-PEOz-PLLA) triblock copolymers were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization. With increasing molecular weight and crystallinity of hydrophobic PLLA blocks, the critical micellization concentrations (CMC) occurred at lower concentration. The PLLA-PEOz-PLLA aqueous solution was transparent at room temperature. Heating the solution resulted in precipitations, which were caused by the combination of dehydration of water around PEOz and the aggregations of PLLA segments. Acid/base titration profiles indicated that PLLA-PEOz-PLLA were protonated at neutral and acidic conditions. Considerable buffering capacity was found over the entire pH range. The specific PLLA-PEOz-PLLA triblock copolymers with thermal- and pH-sensitive properties can be tailored by varying the compositions and can be applied as controlled release carries for biomedical applications.     

Encapsulation of proteins in biodegradable polymeric microparticles using electrospray in the Taylor cone-jet mode

Solvent extraction (or evaporation from a W(1)/O/W(2)-dispersion), coacervation, and spray drying methods are commonly employed to encapsulate protein drugs in polymeric microparticles for sustained delivery applications. To overcome the limitations of these methods, a novel electrospray method was developed to encapsulate a model protein drug-bovine serum albumin (BSA) in biodegradable polymeric microparticles and examine the feasibility of the process in not denaturing the protein. Microparticles of approximately 20 microm diameter with corrugated surfaces and smooth surfaces were observed by scanning electron microscope. Confocal laser scanning microscope images showed that BSA was distributed evenly in microparticles. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was employed to investigate the protein integrity of BSA released from the polymer matrix after 38 days. No protein degradation was observed during the 38 days release. The secondary structure of released BSA was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and circular dichroism (CD), which suggested that the released BSA was almost identical to native BSA. The encapsulation efficiency could reach 76% by adjusting the amount of the additive Pluronic F127 and processing parameters. The release profile could be tailored by the fabrication process and the sustained release of BSA could endure for more than 1 month. More than 80% of the bioactivity of BSA (evaluated by BSA ELISA kit) could be maintained after releasing from polymer matrix. Findings of the present study demonstrate that this novel electrospray method is a promising approach to encapsulate bioactive materials such as proteins, enzymes, antibiotics, and DNA fragments in biodegradable polymeric particles.     

Novel Intramedullary-Fixation Technique for Long Bone Fragility Fractures Using Bioresorbable Materials

Almost all of the currently available fracture fixation devices for metaphyseal fragility fractures are made of hard metals, which carry a high risk of implant-related complications such as implant cutout in severely osteoporotic patients. We developed a novel fracture fixation technique (intramedullary-fixation with biodegradable materials; IM-BM) for severely weakened long bones using three different non-metallic biomaterials, a poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) woven tube, a nonwoven polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) fiber mat, and an injectable calcium phosphate cement (CPC). The purpose of this work was to evaluate the feasibility of IM-BM with mechanical testing as well as with an animal experiment. To perform mechanical testing, we fixed two longitudinal acrylic pipes with four different methods, and used them for a three-point bending test (N = 5). The three-point bending test revealed that the average fracture energy for the IM-BM group (PLLA + CPC + PHA) was 3 times greater than that of PLLA + CPC group, and 60 to 200 times greater than that of CPC + PHA group and CPC group. Using an osteoporotic rabbit distal femur incomplete fracture model, sixteen rabbits were randomly allocated into four experimental groups (IM-BM group, PLLA + CPC group, CPC group, Kirschner wire (K-wire) group). No rabbit in the IM-BM group suffered fracture displacement even under full weight bearing. In contrast, two rabbits in the PLLA + CPC group, three rabbits in the CPC group, and three rabbits in the K-wire group suffered fracture displacement within the first postoperative week. The present work demonstrated that IM-BM was strong enough to reinforce and stabilize incomplete fractures with both mechanical testing and an animal experiment even in the distal thigh, where bone is exposed to the highest bending and torsional stresses in the body. IM-BM can be one treatment option for those with severe osteoporosis.     

Polyelectrolyte nanoparticles based on water-soluble chitosan-poly(l-aspartic acid)-polyethylene glycol for controlled protein release

Water-soluble chitosan (WSC)-poly(l-aspartic acid) (PASP)-polyethylene glycol (PEG) nanoparticles (CPP nanoparticles) were prepared spontaneously under quite mild conditions by polyelectrolyte complexation. These nanoparticles were well dispersed and stable in aqueous solution, and their physicochemical properties were characterized by turbidity, FTIR spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and zeta potential. PEG was chosen to modify WSC-PASP nanoparticles to make a protein-protective agent. Investigation on the encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of the bovine serum albumin (BSA)-loaded CPP nanoparticles was also conducted. Encapsulation efficiency was obviously decreased with the increase of initial BSA concentration. Furthermore, its in vitro release characteristics were evaluated at pH 1.2, 2.5, and 7.4. In vitro release showed that these nanoparticles provided an initial burst release, followed by a slowly sustained release for more than 24 h. The BSA released from CPP nanoparticles showed no significant conformational change compared with native BSA, which is superior to the BSA released from nanoparticles without PEG. A cell viability study suggested that the nanoparticles had good biocompatibility. This nanoparticle system was considered promising as an advanced drug delivery system for the peptide and protein drug delivery.     

Synthesis and characterization of bovine serum albumin-coated nanocapsules loaded with indocyanine green as potential multifunctional nanoconstructs

We have synthesized and characterized bovine serum albumin (BSA)-coated polymeric nanocapsules (NCs) loaded with indocyanine green (ICG), an FDA-approved near infrared chromophore. Poly(allylamine) hydrochloride was electrostatically crosslinked with phosphate anions to form nanoconstructs encapsulating ICG. BSA was conjugated onto the polymeric NCs via glutaraldehyde. BSA-coated ICG-containing nanocapsules (BSA-ICG NCs) were characterized by FTIR and optical spectroscopy, SEM, and zeta-potential measurements. Using normal human endocervical epithelial cells, we demonstrate the effectiveness of BSA-ICG NCs for intracellular optical imaging in vitro. These nanoconstructs may potentially serve as a multifunctional platform for combined optical imaging, phototherapy, and drug delivery.     

Interaction of retinol with dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and their formation of small dispersed particles.

Stable aqueous dispersions of all-trans-retinol (vitamin A, VA) were obtained by sonication with dipalmitoylphos-phatidylcholine (DPPC) in the VA mole fraction range 0.1-0.7. In order to clarify the dispersal mechanism, the dispersed particles were characterized and the interaction between VA and DPPC was investigated using several physicochemical techniques. Dynamic light scattering measurements showed that the diameter of the dispersed particles was 50-70 nm. A limited amount of VA was incorporated into DPPC bilayer membranes (approximately 5 mol%). The trapped aqueous volume inside the particles was determined fluorometrically using the aqueous space marker calcein and the volume in the VA/DPPC particles was decreased markedly with the addition of VA into small unilamellar vesicles of DPPC. The decline in the fraction of vesicular particles was also confirmed by fluorescence quenching of N-dansylhexadecylamine in the DPPC membrane by the addition of the quencher CuSO4. These results indicate that the excess VA separated from the DPPC bilayers is stabilized as emulsion particles by the DPPC surface monolayer.     

Direct observation of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) depolymerase adsorbed on polyester thin film by atomic force microscopy

Poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate] (PHB) depolymerases adsorbed on poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) thin film were directly observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). A PLLA thin film of 100 nm thickness was prepared on a silicon wafer by spin-cast method. The PLLA thin film was treated at 220 degrees C and quenched to room temperature, resulting in the formation of a completely amorphous film with a smooth surface. Then, the PHB depolymerases from Pseudomonas stutzeri YM1006 and Ralstonia pickettii T1 were dispersed on the amorphous PLLA thin film. Direct AFM observation has revealed that the PHB depolymerases bind in an elliptic shape on the surface of the PLLA thin film and that a small ridge is created around each enzyme molecule. After removal of the enzymes with 40% ethanol aqueous solution, small hollows were found on the PLLA thin film. These results suggest that a PHB depolymerase interacts with polyester molecules during their adsorption to make a hollow on the substrate surface.