Injectable gellan gum-based nanoparticles-loaded system for the local delivery of vancomycin in osteomyelitis treatment

Infection spreading in the skeletal system leading to osteomyelitis can be prevented by the prolonged administration of antibiotics in high doses. However systemic antibiotherapy, besides its inconvenience and often low efficacy, provokes numerous side effects. Thus, we formulated a new injectable nanoparticle-loaded system for the local delivery of vancomycin (Vanc) applied in a minimally-invasive way. Vanc was encapsulated in poly(Llactide- co-glycolide) nanoparticles (NPs) by double-emulsification. The size (258 ± 11 nm), polydispersity index (0.240 ± 0.003) and surface potential (-25.9 ± 0.2 mV) of NPs were determined by dynamic light scattering and capillary electrophoresis measurements. They have a spherical morphology and a smooth topography as observed using atomic force microscopy. Vanc loading and encapsulation efficiencies were 8.8 ± 0.1 and 55.2 ± 0.5 %, respectively, based on fluorescence spectroscopy assays. In order to ensure injectability, NPs were suspended in gellan gum and cross-linked with $Ca^{2+}$; also a portion of dissolved antibiotic was added to the system. The resulting system was found to be injectable (extrusion force 11.3 ± 1.1 N), reassembled its structure after breaking as shown by rheology tests and ensured required burst release followed by sustained Vanc delivery. The system was cytocompatible with osteoblast-like MG-63 cells (no significant impact on cells’ viability was detected). Growth of Staphylococcus spp. reference strains and also those isolated from osteomyelitic joints was inhibited in contact with the injectable system. As a result we obtained a biocompatible system displaying ease of application (low extrusion force), self-healing ability after disruption, adjustable drug release and antimicrobial properties

Gentamicin loaded PLGA nanoparticles as local drug delivery system for the osteomyelitis treatment

Since there are more and more cases of multiresistance among microorganisms, rational use of antibiotics (especially their systemic vs. local application) is of great importance. Here we propose polymeric nanoparticles as locally applied gentamicin delivery system useful in osteomyelitis therapy. Gentamicin sulphate (GS) was encapsulated in the poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA 85:15) nanoparticles by double emulsification (water/oil/water, W1/O/W2). The nanoparticles were characterized by dynamic light scattering, laser electrophoresis and atomic force microscopy. UV-vis spectroscopy (O-phthaldialdehyde assay, OPA) and Kirby-Bauer tests were used to evaluate drug release and antimicrobial activity, respectively. Physicochemical characterization showed that size, shape and drug solubilization of the nanoparticles mainly depended on GS content and concentration of surface stabilizer (polyvinyl alcohol, PVA). Laser electrophoresis demonstrated negative value of zeta potential of the nanoparticles attributed to PLGA carboxyl end group presence. Drug release studies showed initial burst release followed by prolonged 35-day sustained gentamicin delivery. Agar-diffusion tests performed with pathogens causing osteomyelitis (Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, both reference strains and clinical isolates) showed antibacterial activity of GS loaded nanoparticles (GS-NPs). It can be concluded that GS-NPs are a promising form of biomaterials useful in osteomyelitis therapy

Injectable hybrid delivery system composed of gellan gum, nanoparticles and gentamicin for the localized treatment of bone infections

Objectives: Bone infections are treated with antibiotics administered intravenously, antibiotic-releasing bone cements or collagen sponges placed directly in the infected area. These approaches render limited effectiveness due to the lack of site specificity and invasiveness of implanting cements and sponges. To address these limitations, we developed a novel polysaccharide hydrogel-based injectable system that enables controlled delivery of gentamicin (GENT). Its advantages are minimal invasiveness, and localized and finely regulated release of the drug. Methods: GENT was incorporated both directly within the gellan gum hydrogel and into poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles embedded into the hydrogel. Results: We confirmed the injectability of the system and measured extrusion force was 15.6 ± 1.0 N, which is suitable for injections. The system set properly after the injection as shown by rheological measurements. Desired burst release of the drug was observed within the first 12 h and the dose reached ~27% of total GENT. Subsequently, GENT was released gradually and sustainably: ~60% of initial dose within 90 days. In vitro studies confirmed antimicrobial activity of the system against Staphylococcus spp. and cytocompatibility with osteoblast-like cells. Conclusions: Developed injectable system enables minimally invasive, local and sustained delivery of the pharmaceutically relevant doses of GENT to combat bone infections.</p

Nanofibrillar hydrogel scaffolds from recombinant protein-based polymers with integrin- and proteoglycan-binding domains

This study describes the design, production, and testing of functionalized variants of a recombinant protein-based polymer that forms nanofibrillar hydrogels with self-healing properties. With a view to bone tissue engineering applications, we equipped these variants with N-terminal extensions containing either (1) integrin-binding (RGD) or (2) less commonly studied proteoglycan-binding (KRSR) cell-adhesive motifs. The polymers were efficiently produced as secreted proteins using the yeast Pichia pastoris and were essentially monodisperse. The pH-responsive protein-based polymers are soluble at low pH and self-assemble into supramolecular fibrils and hydrogels at physiological pH. By mixing functionalized and nonfunctionalized proteins in different ratios, and adjusting pH, hydrogel scaffolds with the same protein concentration but varying content of the two types of cell-adhesive motifs were readily obtained. The scaffolds were used for the two-dimensional culture of MG-63 osteoblastic cells. RGD domains had a slightly stronger effect than KRSR domains on adhesion, activity, and spreading. However, scaffolds featuring both functional domains revealed a clear synergistic effect on cell metabolic activity and spreading, and provided the highest final degree of cell confluency. The mixed functionalized hydrogels presented here thus allowed to tailor the osteoblastic cell response, offering prospects for their further development as scaffolds for bone regeneration.</p