title: Drug delivery properties of macroporous polystyrene solid foams.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Polymeric porous foams have been evaluated as possible new pharmaceutical dosage forms.
  
  
  METHODS
  These materials were obtained by polymerization in the continuous phase of highly concentrated emulsions prepared by the phase inversion temperature method. Their porosity, specific surface and surface topography were characterized, and the incorporation and release of active principles was studied using ketoprofen as model lipophilic molecule.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Solid foams with very high pore volume, mainly inside macropores, were obtained by this method. The pore morphology of the materials was characterized, and very rough topography was observed, which contributed to their nearly superhydrophobic properties. These solid foams could be used as delivery systems for active principles with pharmaceutical interest, and in the present work ketoprofen was used as a model lipophilic molecule.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Drug incorporation and release was studied from solid foam disks, using different concentrations of the loading solutions, achieving a delayed release with short lag-time.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology Dpt., R+D Associated Unit to CSIC, University of Barcelona (UB), Joan XXIII s/n, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Canal
authors.forename: Rosa Maria
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Aparicio
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vilchez
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Esquena
authors.forename: Maria José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: García-Celma
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004655:Emulsions; D007660:Ketoprofen / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D016062:Porosity; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004655:Emulsions; D011137:Polystyrenes; D007660:Ketoprofen