Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026
A Comparative Study of Drug Delivery Methods Targeted to the Mouse Inner Ear: Bullostomy Versus Transtympanic Injection
Published on: March 8, 2017
Tunable ciprofloxacin delivery through personalized electrospun patches for tympanic membrane perforations
Shivesh Anand1, Alessandra Fusco2,3, Cemre Günday4
1Department of Complex Tissue Regeneration, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, 6229 ER, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
Abstract:
Approximately 740 million symptomatic patients are affected by otitis media every year. Being an inflammatory disease affecting the middle ear, it is one of the primary causes of tympanic membrane (TM) perforations, often resulting in impaired hearing abilities. Antibiotic therapy using broad-spectrum fluoroquinolones, such as ciprofloxacin (CIP), is frequently employed and considered the optimal route to treat otitis media. However, patients often get exposed to high dosages to compensate for the low drug concentration reaching the affected site. Therefore, this study aims to integrate tissue engineering with drug delivery strategies to create biomimetic scaffolds promoting TM regeneration while facilitating a localized release of CIP. Distinct electrospinning (ES) modalities were designed in this regard either by blending CIP into the polymer ES solution or by incorporating nanoparticles-based co-ES/electrospraying. The combination of these modalities was investigated as well. A broad range of release kinetic profiles was achieved from the fabricated scaffolds, thereby offering a wide spectrum of antibiotic concentrations that could serve patients with diverse therapeutic needs. Furthermore, the incorporation of CIP into the TM patches demonstrated a favorable influence on their resultant mechanical properties. Biological studies performed with human mesenchymal stromal cells confirmed the absence of any cytotoxic or anti-proliferative effects from the released antibiotic. Finally, antibacterial assays validated the efficacy of CIP-loaded scaffolds in suppressing bacterial infections, highlighting their promising relevance for TM applications.
Insights
This study developed novel biomimetic scaffolds for tympanic membrane (TM) regeneration and localized ciprofloxacin (CIP) release, offering a promising treatment for otitis media and hearing loss.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Otitis media affects millions annually, often causing tympanic membrane (TM) perforations and hearing impairment.
- Current antibiotic treatments for otitis media require high dosages due to poor drug concentration at the affected site.
- There is a need for advanced therapeutic strategies that promote TM healing and effective localized drug delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer biomimetic scaffolds for TM regeneration.
- To develop localized drug delivery systems for ciprofloxacin (CIP) release.
- To evaluate the efficacy of these scaffolds in treating otitis media.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of electrospun (ES) scaffolds by blending CIP into polymer solutions or using nanoparticle-based co-ES/electrospraying.
- Investigating different ES modalities and their combinations for controlled CIP release.
- Assessing scaffold mechanical properties, cell viability, and antibacterial efficacy.
Main Results:
- Achieved diverse release kinetic profiles from fabricated scaffolds, enabling tailored CIP concentrations.
- CIP incorporation favorably influenced the mechanical properties of the TM patches.
- Biological studies confirmed no cytotoxic or anti-proliferative effects of released CIP on human mesenchymal stromal cells.
- Antibacterial assays validated the efficacy of CIP-loaded scaffolds against bacterial infections.
Conclusions:
- The developed biomimetic scaffolds effectively promote TM regeneration and localized CIP delivery.
- These scaffolds offer a promising therapeutic approach for otitis media, addressing challenges of drug delivery and hearing restoration.
- The study highlights the potential of integrating tissue engineering and drug delivery for otologic applications.
