[Optimization and property evaluation of gelatin microspheres for embolization].
OBJECTIVE
To optimize the preparation of gelatin microspheres for embolization and to evaluate the physicochemical properties of the optimized  microspheres.


METHODS
The gelatin microspheres were prepared using emulsification crosslink method. The response surface methodology (RSM)  was used in order to achieve gelatin microspheres with satisfactory degradable time and elasticity. The response values considered in this study were  degradable time and elasticity, and the factors were the concentration of formaldehyde solution and the time of cross-linking reaction. The optimized  microspheres were achieved by RSM. The properties of the optimized microspheres were investigated, including degradable time, elasticity, particle size,  ratio of water absorption and the swelling ratio.


RESULTS
The elasticity of the optimized microspheres was appropriate. The degradable time of the  optimized microspheres was 2-3 weeks. The average diameter for dried gelatin microsphere was 377.6 μm, and for wet gelatin microsphere was 535.6 μm.  The gelatin microsphere achieved the rate of water absorption balance at 20 min, and the average swelling ratio of gelatin microsphere was 41.9%.


CONCLUSIONS
The gelatin microspheres optimized by RSM seemed to be suitable for clinical embolization according to the physicochemical properties.
Department of Pharmaceutics, Peking University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Ya-nan
YN
Wu
Dai-chao
DC
Cui
Ying-ying
YY
Liu
Tian-yuan
TY
Fan
D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D004548:Elasticity; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D004655:Emulsions; D005780:Gelatin / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008863:Microspheres; D010316:Particle Size
D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D004655:Emulsions; D005780:Gelatin