Sustained Delivery of Lactoferrin Using Poloxamer Gels for Local Bone Regeneration in a Rat Calvarial Defect Model

Lactoferrin (LF) is a multifunctional milk glycoprotein that promotes bone regeneration. Local delivery of LF at the bone defect site is a promising approach for enhancement of bone regeneration, but efficient systems for sustained local delivery are still largely missing. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of the poloxamers for sustained delivery of LF to enhance local bone regeneration. The developed LF/poloxamer formulations were liquid at room temperature (20 °C) transforming to a sustained releasing gel depot at body temperature (37 °C). In vitro release studies demonstrated an initial burst release (~50%), followed by slower release of LF for up to 72 h. Poloxamer, with and without LF, increased osteoblast viability at 72 h (p < 0.05) compared to control, and the immune response from THP-1 cells was mild when compared to the suture material. In rat calvarial defects, the LF/poloxamer group had lower bone volume than the controls (p = 0.0435). No difference was observed in tissue mineral density and lower bone defect coverage scores (p = 0.0267) at 12 weeks after surgery. In conclusion, LF/poloxamer formulations support cell viability and do not induce an unfavourable immune response; however, LF delivery via the current formulation of LF200/poloxamer gel did not demonstrate enhanced bone regeneration and was not compatible with the rat calvarial defect model.