A new tissue-polymer hybrid drug delivery system for artificial corneas

Autor: S Kanayama, T Shen, S Garty, R. T. Barrett
Rok vydání: 2009
Předmět:
Zdroj: Acta Ophthalmologica. 87
ISSN: 1755-3768
1755-375X
DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2009.2171.x
Popis: Purpose We developed and evaluated a new hybrid tissue-polymer drug delivery system using lyophilized cornea and synthetic hydrogel. The feasibility of this system as a carrier and a drug delivery system for an artificial cornea (Boston Keratoprosthesis) was evaluated in vitro while non-modified cornea tissue was used as a control. Methods Corneal tissue from the eye bank was first lyophilized. The tissue-polymer hybrid was synthesized by reconstituting the lyophilized cornea in a norfloxacin-loaded hydrogel solution followed by polymerization. Four different tissue-hydrogel compositions of varying hydrophobicity were synthesized and characterized over one month for the swelling and the drug release profile. Unmodified cornea tissue was used as a control. The mechanical strength and suture characteristics of the hybrid system and unmodified cornea were evaluated as a carrier for Boston K-pro using an artificial anterior chamber. Results Both the hybrid-system and the control show excellent mechanical properties as carriers for the Boston K-pro. They withstood similar challenges of intrachamber pressures (50-70 mmHg) for wound stability. In vitro drug release analysis demonstrates a longer and more controlled drug release profile for the hybrid system as compared to the control. The most hydrophobic hybrid construct shows a release that is above the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration 90 of Staphylococcus epidermidis for the first two days. Conclusion The new hybrid tissue-polymer system shows sufficient mechanical stability to serve as a carrier for the Boston K-pro. This system has the potential to simplify storage and distribution of donor tissue as a carrier for artificial cornea in developing countries where donor tissue is otherwise not readily available.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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