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Updated: Oct 23, 2025
Multi-Scale Modification of Metallic Implants With Pore Gradients, Polyelectrolytes and Their Indirect Monitoring In vivo
Published on: July 1, 2013
Development and evaluation of a novel biodegradable implants with excellent inflammatory response suppression effect
Rangrang Fan1, Di Chuan2, Huan Hou2
1State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, No. 17, Renminnan Road, Chengdu, 610041, PR China; Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, PR China.
Purpose:
Dexamethasone (Dex) is a widely used drug for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, however, long-term systemic use of Dex is associated with serious adverse effects. The objective of the present study was to develop an implantable device to avoid side effects and realize a controlled release of Dex at the implant site.
Methods:
Hydrophobic Dex was incorporated into biodegradable polyesters derived from PCL and Pluronic® L64 (PCL-Pluronic L64-PCL, PCLC) by hot-melt extrusion (HME) method to prepare Dex/PCLC implantable devices. Drug loading and encapsulation efficiency, a series of physicochemical properties, and in vivo features of the implants were studied.
Results:
The maximum value of the drug loading and encapsulation efficiency for the Dex/PCLC implants were up to 47% and 94%, respectively. Incorporation of Dex resulted in accelerated crystallization of PCLC, decreased the wettability, increased contact angles and viscosity, and accelerated Dex release rate and degradation rate from the implants in vivo. Moreover, Dex/PCLC implants showed excellent biocompatibility. Furthermore, the inflammatory response to the Dex/PCLC implants was less severe than that to the positive control group.
Conclusion:
All these results suggested that Dex/PCLC implants might be a safe and controlled local drug delivery system with excellent inflammatory response suppression effect.
