title: Fabrication and characterisation of drug-loaded electrospun polymeric nanofibers for controlled release in hernia repair.
abstract: The chemical distribution and mechanical effects of drug compounds in loaded electrospun scaffolds, a potential material for hernia repair mesh, were characterised and the efficacy of the material was evaluated. Polycaprolactone electrospun fibres were loaded with either the antibacterial agent, irgasan, or the broad-spectrum antibiotic, levofloxacin. The samples were subsequently characterised by rheological studies, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), contact angle goniometry (CAG), in vitro drug release studies, antibacterial studies and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). Increased linear viscoelastic regions observed in the rheometry studies suggest that both irgasan and levofloxacin alter the internal structure of the native polymeric matrix. In vitro drug release studies from the loaded polymeric matrix showed significant differences in release rates for the two drug compounds under investigation. Irgasan showed sustained release, most likely driven by molecular diffusion through the scaffold. Conversely, levofloxacin exhibited a burst release profile indicative of phase separation at the edge of the fibres. Two scaffold types successfully inhibited bacterial growth when tested with strains of E. coli and S. aureus. Electrospinning drug-loaded polyester fibres is an alternative, feasible and effective method for fabricating non-woven fibrous meshes for controlled release in hernia repair.
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom; Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (SIPBS), University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G4 0RE, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Ivan J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Hall Barrientos
authors.affiliation: Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (SIPBS), University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G4 0RE, United Kingdom; EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Continuous Manufacturing and Crystallisation (CMAC), University of Strathclyde, Technology and Innovation Centre, 99 George Street, G1 1RD Glasgow, United Kingdom; National Physical Laboratory (NPL), Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0LW, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Paladino
authors.affiliation: Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (SIPBS), University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G4 0RE, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brozio
authors.affiliation: National Physical Laboratory (NPL), Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0LW, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Melissa K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Passarelli
authors.affiliation: National Health Service (NHS), Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley, PA2 9PN, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moug
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Black
authors.affiliation: Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (SIPBS), University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G4 0RE, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Clive G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (SIPBS), University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G4 0RE, United Kingdom; Medway School of Pharmacy, University of Kent, Medway Campus, Anson Building, Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TB, United Kingdom. Electronic address: d.lamprou@kent.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Dimitrios A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Lamprou
mesh_terms: D002224:Carbanilides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D065546:Drug Liberation; D059685:Herniorrhaphy / Q000379:methods; D064704:Levofloxacin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D012212:Rheology
chemical_list: D002224:Carbanilides; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D011091:Polyesters; C016240:polycaprolactone; D064704:Levofloxacin; C005055:cloflucarban
keywords: Drug release; Electrospinning; Hernia; Physicochemical characterisation; Scaffolds