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Updated: Jul 11, 2026
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Use of Rabbit Eyes in Pharmacokinetic Studies of Intraocular Drugs
Published on: July 23, 2016
Dexamethasone-loaded poly(epsilon-caprolactone) intravitreal implants: a pilot study.
Silvia Ligório Fialho1, Francine Behar-Cohen, Armando Silva-Cunha
1Divisão de Desenvolvimento Farmacotécnico, Fundação Ezequiel Dias, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Summary
Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) implants offer a promising solution for long-term drug delivery. This study shows PCL devices provide controlled intravitreous release of dexamethasone with good ocular tolerance in rabbits.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Ophthalmology
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) is a biodegradable polymer with a slow degradation rate, ideal for sustained drug release.
- Long-term intraocular drug delivery is challenging due to the need for controlled release and biocompatibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of PCL devices for prolonged and controlled intravitreous dexamethasone release.
- To evaluate the characteristics and ocular tolerance of PCL implants for sustained drug delivery.
Main Methods:
- In vitro dexamethasone release kinetics and PCL implant degradation (mass loss, SEM) were analyzed.
- Differential scanning calorimetry assessed drug-polymer interactions.
- Short-term intraocular tolerance was evaluated in rabbit eyes.
Main Results:
- PCL implants demonstrated controlled release of 25% dexamethasone over 21 weeks.
- Low degradation rates were confirmed by mass loss and SEM.
- Preliminary results indicated good short-term intraocular tolerance in rabbit models.
Conclusions:
- PCL drug delivery systems facilitate prolonged in vitro dexamethasone release.
- PCL implants exhibit excellent short-term intraocular tolerance in rabbits.
- PCL implants show potential for long-term sustained intraocular corticosteroid delivery.
