In vitro characteristics of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres incorporating gelatin particles loading basic fibroblast growth factor.
OBJECTIVE
To construct a sustained drug release system for basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). With this special system, bFGF can be used to repair an injured peripheral nerve, injured spinal cord, or as a carrier for other drugs that need to be released over a long time.


METHODS
Microsphere composite was prepared by encapsulating bFGF into gelatin particles with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) as its outer-coating. The encapsulation was conducted by a phase separation method.


RESULTS
The average diameter of the gelatin particle-PLGA microsphere composite was 5-18 mum, and bFGF-loading efficiency was up to 80.5%. The bFGF releasing experiment indicated that this new composite system could release bFGF continuously and protect bFGF from denaturation.


CONCLUSIONS
A modified approach was successfully employed to develop a biodegradable system for sustained release of the drug of bFGF in vitro.
Li
Shao-Hong
SH
Key Laboratory for Biomechanical and Tissue Engineering, State Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineerin, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China.
Cai
Shao-Xi
SX
Liu
Bing
B
Ma
Kai-Wang
KW
Wang
Zhen-Ping
ZP
Li
Xiao-Kun
XK
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D005780:Gelatin / Q000737:chemistry*; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D008863:Microspheres; D010316:Particle Size; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D011108:Polymers; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; D005780:Gelatin