Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Doxycycline Loaded Collagen-Chitosan Composite Scaffold for the Accelerated Healing of Diabetic Wounds
10:49

Doxycycline Loaded Collagen-Chitosan Composite Scaffold for the Accelerated Healing of Diabetic Wounds

Published on: August 21, 2021

A doxycycline loaded, controlled-release, biodegradable fiber for the treatment of aortic aneurysms

A Yamawaki-Ogata1, R Hashizume, M Satake

  • 1Department of Cardiac Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan.

Biomaterials
|October 5, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Local delivery of doxycycline controlled-release biodegradable fiber (DCRBF) effectively treats aortic aneurysms (AA) in mice by reducing inflammation and preserving tissue. This localized approach offers a promising alternative to systemic drug administration for AA.

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Vascular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Aortic aneurysm (AA) pathogenesis involves extracellular matrix degradation and inflammation, with matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) playing a key role.
  • Systemic doxycycline (DOXY) can control AA by regulating MMPs but may cause adverse effects.
  • Local drug delivery strategies are being explored to enhance therapeutic efficacy and minimize side effects for AA treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential of a locally administered doxycycline controlled-release biodegradable fiber (DCRBF) for treating aortic aneurysms (AA) in a mouse model.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of DCRBF in modulating protease activity, inflammation, and extracellular matrix components in AA.

Main Methods:

  • DCRBF was fabricated using electrospinning of polylactic acid (PLA) and DOXY.
  • DCRBF was tested in vitro with smooth muscle cells (SMCs), macrophages, and aortic tissue, and in vivo on abdominal aortic aneurysms in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.
  • Gene and protein expression of proteases (MMPs), elastin, inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α), and growth factors (IGF-1, TGF-β1) were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Local DCRBF administration significantly decreased MMP-12 in SMCs and MMP-9/-12 in macrophages.
  • DCRBF treatment increased TGF-β1 and Lox gene expression in SMCs.
  • In aortic tissue, DCRBF preserved elastin content and reduced MMP-2 and -9 levels, while in vivo studies showed increased IGF-1 and TIMP-1 and decreased IL-6 and TNF-α.

Conclusions:

  • Local administration of DCRBF demonstrates significant therapeutic potential for aortic aneurysms.
  • DCRBF effectively modulates key molecular pathways involved in AA pathogenesis, including protease activity and inflammation.
  • This localized delivery system presents a promising alternative therapeutic strategy for AA, potentially overcoming limitations of systemic drug administration.

More Related Videos

A New Murine Model of Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair08:51

A New Murine Model of Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Published on: July 7, 2013

Novel and Innovative Hybrid Technique for Type A Aortic Dissection06:26

Novel and Innovative Hybrid Technique for Type A Aortic Dissection

Published on: March 28, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Site-Targeted Drug Delivery Systems: Polymeric Carriers01:24

Site-Targeted Drug Delivery Systems: Polymeric Carriers

Polymeric carriers enhance targeted drug delivery by increasing efficacy while minimizing off-target effects. These carriers comprise a biodegradable polymeric backbone integrated with functional elements that enable targeting, improve physicochemical properties, and regulate drug release.Targeting MechanismsThe targeting ability of polymeric carriers is mediated by a homing device, which is a molecular recognition component designed to selectively bind to specific tissues or cells. Monoclonal...
Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Rate-Programmed I01:22

Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Rate-Programmed I

Rate-programmed drug delivery systems (DDS) are designed to release drugs at specific, controlled rates to maintain consistent therapeutic levels. These systems are categorized based on their release mechanisms, including dissolution-controlled DDS, diffusion-controlled DDS, and combined dissolution-diffusion-controlled DDS.In dissolution-controlled DDS, the release rate depends on the slow dissolution of the drug itself or the surrounding matrix. Drugs with inherently slow dissolution rates,...
Oral Drug Delivery Systems: Continuous-Release Systems01:26

Oral Drug Delivery Systems: Continuous-Release Systems

Continuous-release drug delivery systems offer a strategic approach to maintaining therapeutic drug levels over extended periods following oral administration. By modulating the release rate of active pharmaceutical ingredients, these systems minimize fluctuations in plasma concentrations, which enhances clinical efficacy and reduces the need for frequent dosing. Such characteristics make them particularly advantageous in managing chronic diseases where patient adherence and stable drug...
Aneurysm III: Interprofessional Care01:26

Aneurysm III: Interprofessional Care

Aneurysm management involves either conservative medical therapy or surgical intervention, depending on the size and symptoms of the aneurysm. Conservative management is generally reserved for smaller, asymptomatic aneurysms, while larger or symptomatic aneurysms often necessitate surgical repair.Conservative Medical TherapyFor small, asymptomatic aneurysms, particularly abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) less than 5.5 centimeters in diameter, conservative medical therapy is recommended. This...
Atherosclerosis III: Management01:26

Atherosclerosis III: Management

Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Site-Targeted01:24

Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Site-Targeted

Site-targeted drug delivery systems enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing systemic toxicity and treatment costs. Unlike conventional methods, these systems ensure precise drug delivery, improving bioavailability and reducing side effects. Targeted drug delivery is classified into three levels. First-order targeting directs drugs to the capillary beds of specific organs or tissues. Second-order targets specific cell types, such as tumor cells, using receptor-mediated interactions.