Nazila Safaei Nikouei1, Nasim Ghasemi1, Afsaneh Lavasanifar2,3,4. 1. Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E1, Canada. 2. Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E1, Canada. alavasanifar@pharmacy.ualberta.ca. 3. Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2V4, Canada. alavasanifar@pharmacy.ualberta.ca. 4. 2-142F Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Katz Group/Rexall Centre for Pharmacy & Health Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E1, Canada. alavasanifar@pharmacy.ualberta.ca.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To assess the potential of triblock copolymers based on poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and functionalized poly(ε-caprolactone) as temperature/pH responsive gels for controlled delivery of macromolecules. METHODS: Poly(α-carboxylate-co-α-benzylcarboxylate-ε-caprolactone)-PEG-poly(α-carboxylate-co-α-benzylcarboxylate-ε-caprolactone) (PCBCL-PEG-PCBCL) was synthesized through ring opening polymerization of α-benzyl carboxylate-ε-caprolactone by PEG, followed by 30% debenzylation of the lateral blocks. The effect of Tris buffer and pH on the sol-gel transition temperature of PCBCL-PEG-PCBCL was assessed. The temperature/pH responsive release of tetramethylrhodamine-dextran (TMR-D) (10 and 40 kDa) from PCBCL-PEG-PCBCL was investigated. RESULTS: Replacement of water with Tris buffer reduced PCBCL-PEG-PCBCL sol-gel transition temperature. Thermo-reversible hydrogels were only formed at pHs ≥ 5.0, but PCBCL-PEG-PCBCL transition temperature was not affected by pH above pH 5.0. In contrast to Pluronic F127 that released 100% of TMR-D within 2 h, PCBCL-PEG-PCBCL hydrogel controlled TMR-D release efficiently at pH = 7.4 and 37°C (~27 and 11% TMRD 10 and 40 kDa release within 150 h, respectively). At 50°C or pH = 9.0, TMR-D release was increased slightly, while at room temperature or pH = 5.0, no control over TMR-D release was observed by PCBCL-PEG-PCBCL hydrogel. CONCLUSION: PCBCL-PEG-PCBCL hydrogel provides depot release of macromolecules at physiological conditions. This release can be triggered through changes in the temperature or pH.
PURPOSE: To assess the potential of triblock copolymers based on poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and functionalized poly(ε-caprolactone) as temperature/pH responsive gels for controlled delivery of macromolecules. METHODS: Poly(α-carboxylate-co-α-benzylcarboxylate-ε-caprolactone)-PEG-poly(α-carboxylate-co-α-benzylcarboxylate-ε-caprolactone) (PCBCL-PEG-PCBCL) was synthesized through ring opening polymerization of α-benzyl carboxylate-ε-caprolactone by PEG, followed by 30% debenzylation of the lateral blocks. The effect of Tris buffer and pH on the sol-gel transition temperature of PCBCL-PEG-PCBCL was assessed. The temperature/pH responsive release of tetramethylrhodamine-dextran (TMR-D) (10 and 40 kDa) from PCBCL-PEG-PCBCL was investigated. RESULTS: Replacement of water with Tris buffer reduced PCBCL-PEG-PCBCL sol-gel transition temperature. Thermo-reversible hydrogels were only formed at pHs ≥ 5.0, but PCBCL-PEG-PCBCL transition temperature was not affected by pH above pH 5.0. In contrast to Pluronic F127 that released 100% of TMR-D within 2 h, PCBCL-PEG-PCBCL hydrogel controlled TMR-D release efficiently at pH = 7.4 and 37°C (~27 and 11% TMRD 10 and 40 kDa release within 150 h, respectively). At 50°C or pH = 9.0, TMR-D release was increased slightly, while at room temperature or pH = 5.0, no control over TMR-D release was observed by PCBCL-PEG-PCBCL hydrogel. CONCLUSION:PCBCL-PEG-PCBCL hydrogel provides depot release of macromolecules at physiological conditions. This release can be triggered through changes in the temperature or pH.