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Injectable Supramolecular Polymer-Nanoparticle Hydrogels for Cell and Drug Delivery Applications
Published on: February 7, 2021
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Progesterone binding nano-carriers based on hydrophobically modified hyperbranched polyglycerols
M Alizadeh Noghani1, D E Brooks2
1Centre for Blood Research and Departments of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3.
Nanoscale
|February 16, 2016
Summary
We developed a novel polymer (HPG-Cn-MPEG) to improve progesterone (Pro) solubility and delivery for traumatic brain injury recovery. This enhances progesterone
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Polymer Chemistry
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Progesterone (Pro) is a neurosteroid that aids recovery from traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- Poor water solubility limits Pro's clinical use.
- Novel drug delivery systems are needed to overcome Pro's limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a polymer-based system for enhanced progesterone solubility, stability, and bioavailability.
- To investigate the relationship between polymer structure and progesterone release kinetics.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and characterization of hydrophobically modified hyperbranched polyglycerol (HPG-Cn-MPEG).
- Loading of progesterone into the HPG-Cn-MPEG polymer.
- Analysis of progesterone release kinetics using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC).
- Correlation of release rates with polymer structural properties (molecular weight, alkylation, bound water).
Main Results:
- HPG-Cn-MPEG effectively enhanced progesterone solubility, stability, and bioavailability.
- Progesterone loading correlated with the hydrophobicity (alkyl carbon content) of the polymer.
- Progesterone release rate was strongly dependent on the amount of structured water within the polymer's dendritic domain.
- DSC studies provided insights into polymer-drug interactions.
Conclusions:
- HPG-Cn-MPEG is a promising carrier for improving progesterone delivery for TBI treatment.
- Polymer structure, particularly bound water content, significantly influences drug release kinetics.
- Further studies in biological systems (cells and animal models) are warranted.
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