Carriers based on poly-3-hydroxyalkanoates containing nanomagnetite to trigger hormone release.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (P(3HB)) and its co-polymer P(3HB-co-3HHx) are biodegradable polymers with potential in drug delivery.
• Magnetic microcarriers offer controlled release mechanisms for lipophilic drugs.
• Progesterone is a key hormone for reproductive applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize magnetic microcarriers of P(3HB) and P(3HB-co-3HHx) for progesterone (Pg) encapsulation and controlled release.
• To investigate the effect of an external magnetic field on hormone release.
• To evaluate the potential of these microcarriers for estrous cycle synchronization.

Main Methods:

• Microparticles of P(3HB) and P(3HB-co-3HHx) containing nanomagnetite and progesterone were prepared using an oil/water emulsion technique.
• Characterization involved Infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Thermal gravimetric analysis, and Electron microscopy (TEM, SEM).
• Hormone release was studied under oscillating magnetic fields and in non-magnetic conditions.

Main Results:

• Progesterone encapsulation efficiency exceeded 70% with significant magnetite loads.
• Microparticles exhibited spherical morphology with wrinkled surfaces, ranging from 2 to 40 μm.
• An oscillating magnetic field (0.2 T) triggered significant progesterone release (6.9% for P(3HB) and 11.1% for P(3HB-co-3HHx)) after 72 hours.
• The 3HHx co-monomer enhanced progesterone release, with release profiles aligning with the Higuchi model.

Conclusions:

• Developed P(3HB) and P(3HB-co-3HHx) microcarriers effectively encapsulate progesterone and respond to magnetic fields for controlled release.
• The presence of the 3HHx co-monomer improves hormone release kinetics.
• These magnetic biopolymer microcarriers show promise for applications in reproductive management, such as estrous cycle synchronization.