Degradative-release as a function of drug structure from LDI-glycerol polyurethanes

Naphthalene analogs with differing hydroxyl and amine functionality were incorporated into degradable polyurethane foams synthesized from lysine diisocyanate and glycerol to determine if chemical structure can be used in controlled release systems. Excitation and emission spectra of the various naphthalene analogs in aqueous solution were collected to ensure they were capable of being quantitatively detected in aqueous solution at low concentrations. The fluorescence stability of the compounds was assessed over a 2-week period at 70°C; the analogs were all found to exhibit signal decay to varying degrees. Polyurethane foam materials containing the naphthalene analogs were synthesized and examined via scanning electron microscopy; incorporating naphthalene ligands did not grossly alter the polyurethane morphology. The analog distribution was then assessed via fluorescence microscopy, and the naphthalene analogs were found evenly dispersed throughout the polyurethane materials. Foam samples containing various analogs were then incubated in PBS buffer solution (pH 7.4) at 4, 22, 37 and 70°C for 11-weeks. Temperature dependent release of naphthalene analogs from the polyurethane foams was found to depend upon the functional groups present on the naphthalene analog. These results suggest that the chemical structure of a drug plays a unique role in controlling release from hydrolytically degradable drug delivery systems.