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Updated: May 16, 2026

An Injectable and Drug-loaded Supramolecular Hydrogel for Local Catheter Injection into the Pig Heart
Published on: June 7, 2015
Dual ionic interaction system based on polyelectrolyte complex and ionic, injectable, and thermosensitive hydrogel
Mi-Ran Park1, Bo-Bae Seo, Soo-Chang Song
1Center for Biomaterials, Korea Institute of Science & Technology, Seoul 130-650, Republic of Korea.
This study developed a novel hydrogel system for sustained delivery of human growth hormone (hGH). The system enhances hGH
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Sustained delivery of bioactive human growth hormone (hGH) is crucial for therapeutic applications.
- Existing delivery methods often involve frequent injections, leading to poor patient compliance.
- Developing advanced hydrogel systems can improve hGH bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a dual ionic interaction system for sustained release of human growth hormone (hGH).
- To create an injectable, thermosensitive hydrogel loaded with a polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) of hGH and protamine sulfate (PS).
- To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo performance of the PEC-loaded hydrogel for sustained hGH delivery.
Main Methods:
- Formulation of a polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) between negatively charged hGH and positively charged protamine sulfate (PS).
- Incorporation of the positively charged PEC into an anionic, injectable, thermosensitive poly(organophosphazene) hydrogel.
- In vitro and in vivo release studies, pharmacokinetic analysis in rats, and assessment of growth rate in hypophysectomized rats.
Main Results:
- The PEC formation effectively suppressed hGH diffusion, with stable complex size and zeta-potential observed.
- The PEC-loaded hydrogel demonstrated suppressed initial burst release and extended hGH release both in vitro and in vivo.
- Pharmacokinetic studies in rats showed a 13-fold increase in hGH half-life and a similar area under the curve (AUC) compared to hGH solution.
- A single injection of the hydrogel significantly increased growth rate in hypophysectomized rats compared to daily hGH injections.
Conclusions:
- The dual ionic interaction system, utilizing a PEC within an anionic thermosensitive hydrogel, is effective for sustained bioactive hGH delivery.
- This injectable hydrogel system offers a promising alternative to frequent injections, improving therapeutic outcomes for hGH-related conditions.
- The developed system demonstrates significant potential for enhanced pharmacokinetic profiles and improved growth promotion in vivo.
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