Biodegradable microspheres as carriers for native superoxide dismutase and catalase delivery

The purpose of this research was to encapsulate superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in biodegradable microspheres (MS) to obtain suitable sustained protein delivery. A modified water/oil/water double emulsion method was used for poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and poly(D,L-lactide) PLA MS preparation co-encapsulating mannitol, trehalose, and PEG400 for protein stabilization. Size, morphology, porosity, mass loss, mass balance, in vitro release and in vitro activity were assessed by using BCA protein assay, scanning electron microscopy, BET surface area, and particle-sizing techniques. In vitro activity retention within MS was evaluated by nicotinammide adenine dinucleotide oxidation and H2O2 consumption assays. SOD encapsulation efficiency resulted in 30% to 34% for PLA MS and up to 51% for PLGA MS, whereas CAT encapsulation was 34% and 45% for PLGA and PLA MS, respectively. All MS were spherical with a smooth surface and low porosity. Particle mean diameters ranged from 10 to 17 mum. CAT release was prolonged, but the results were incomplete for both PLA and PLGA MS, whereas SOD was completely released from PLGA MS in a sustained manner after 2 months. CAT results were less stable and showed a stronger interaction than SOD with the polymers. Mass loss and mass balance correlated well with the release profiles. SOD and CAT in vitro activity was preserved in all the preparations, and SOD was better stabilized in PLGA MS. PLGA MS can be useful for SOD delivery in its native form and is promising as a new depot system.