title: Platelet lysate formulations based on mucoadhesive polymers for the treatment of corneal lesions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Growth factors contained in platelet α-granules initiate and modulate tissue repair and are proposed for the treatment of soft and hard-tissue surgical conditions and in the management of non-healing wounds. Platelet lysate is a hemoderivative obtained from platelet-rich plasma and is capable of releasing a pool of growth factors. Many medical and surgical techniques have been proposed for the treatment of corneal lesions; management of these conditions remains problematic and healing with standard protocols is unattainable. The aim of this study was to develop formulations suitable for prolonging the contact of platelet lysate with the damaged cornea for the time necessary to exert a therapeutic effect.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two vehicles, one based on polyacrylic acid and one based on chitosan, were autoclaved and loaded with platelet lysate and the resultant formulations were characterized for rheology, mucoadhesion, vehicle compatibility and stability. The proliferation effect was tested on two cell culture types (rabbit corneal epithelial cells and fibroblasts). An in-vitro wound-healing test was performed on fibroblasts. In both cases the formulations were compared with platelet lysate diluted with saline at the same concentration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both formulations maintained the rheological and mucoadhesive properties of the vehicles and the proliferative activity of platelet lysate. The chitosan formulation was able to significantly enhance epithelial cell growth even after storage of up to 2 weeks (in-use conditions), while the polyacrylic acid formulation was less efficient, probably due to the characteristics of the cell model used.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The in-vitro wound-healing test performed on fibroblasts confirmed the differences between the two vehicles. The effect induced by the platelet lysate and chitosan formulation was faster than that of the polyacrylic acid formulation and complete in-vitro wound repair was achieved within 48 h.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Pavia, Viale Taramelli 12, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sandri
authors.forename: Maria Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Bonferoni
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Franca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Del Fante
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Perotti
authors.forename: Luigia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Scudeller
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Caramella
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002457:Cell Extracts / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D053657:Platelet-Rich Plasma / Q000737:chemistry*; D011817:Rabbits; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D002457:Cell Extracts; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; C006903:carbopol 940; D048271:Chitosan