title: Delivery of the antibiotic gentamicin sulphate from precipitation cast matrices of polycaprolactone.
abstract: Microporous, poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) matrices were loaded with the aminoglycoside antibiotic, gentamicin sulphate (GS) using the precipitation casting technique by suspension of powder in the PCL solution prior to casting. Improvements in drug loading from 1.8% to 6.7% w/w and distribution in the matrices were obtained by pre-cooling the suspension to 4 degrees C. Gradual release of approximately 80% of the GS content occurred over 11 weeks in PBS at 37 degrees C and low amounts of antibiotic were measured up to 20 weeks. The kinetics of release could be described effectively by the Higuchi model with the diffusion rate constant (D) increasing from of 1.7 to 5.1 microg/mg matrix/day(0.5) as the drug loading increased from 1.4% to 8.3% w/w. GS-loaded PCL matrices retained anti-bacterial activity after immersion in PBS at 37 degrees C over 14 days as demonstrated by inhibition of growth of S. epidermidis in culture. These findings recommend further investigation of precipitation-cast PCL matrices for delivery of hydrophilic molecules such as anti-bacterial agents from implanted, inserted or topical devices.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
authors.forename: H-I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Aston Pharmacy School, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Perrie
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. Electronic address: allancoombes@kingston.ac.uk.
authors.forename: A G A
authors.initials: AGA
authors.lastname: Coombes
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D005079:Excipients; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D007700:Kinetics; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010316:Particle Size; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D016062:Porosity; D011208:Powders; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000187:drug effects; D013535:Suspensions
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005079:Excipients; D005839:Gentamicins; D011091:Polyesters; D011208:Powders; D013535:Suspensions; C016240:polycaprolactone