Release behavior of poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) implants containing phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide

The release behavior of phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide, 5'-GCCGAGGTCCATGTCGTACGC-3' (ODN), from poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) implant was studied. The pillar shape implant was fabricated by the heating mold method. About 20% of ODN were released initially, and the subsequent pseudo-zero-order release lasted for more than 20 d from a PLGA10000 implant loaded with 8.4% ODN in phosphate buffered saline, pH 7.4. The duration of ODN release did not depend on the molecular weights of PLGA, and pseudo-zero-order release may be achieved by changing the loaded amount of ODN in fabrication of the PLGA implant. Almost the same release profiles were obtained in the pH range of 7.2 to 7.6, which is known as the physiological pH of a vitreous body. Furthermore, the duration of intact ODN release in bovine vitreous was found. The implant in the present study may possibly be applicable to intravitreal implantation for the treatment of ocular disease.