title: Starch-based microparticles as vehicles for the delivery of active platelet-derived growth factor.
abstract: In a previous work, we described the use of starch-based microparticles as vehicles for the controlled release of corticosteroids. The goal of the present work is to evaluate the potential of these microparticles to incorporate and release platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). The loading efficiency and release profile were evaluated, and PDGF was incorporated into and released from the matrix of starch-based microparticles. The release profile shows rapid release of PDGF in the first 24 h, after which there was a slow but constant release for up to 8 weeks. The maintenance of the PDGF biological activity after incorporation and release was evaluated by its mitogenic effect over osteoblastic cells, and it was shown to be comparable to that of PDGF supplemented to the culture medium. This proves that the incorporation and release did not affect the biological activity of the growth factor (GF). The results clearly demonstrate that starch-based microparticles are suitable vehicles for the incorporation and release of GFs. When combined with previous results, these materials also suggest their ability to enhance the regenerating potential of tissue engineering hybrid constructs.
authors.affiliation: 3B's Research Group-Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal. gsilva@dep.uminho.pt
authors.forename: Gabriela A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Olga P
authors.initials: OP
authors.lastname: Coutinho
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ducheyne
authors.forename: Irving M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Shapiro
authors.forename: Rui L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Reis
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004058:Diffusion; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000008:administration & dosage; D051379:Mice; D008863:Microspheres; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*; D013213:Starch / Q000737:chemistry*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D006133:Growth Substances; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D013213:Starch