In vitro effects of brain derived neurotrophic factor released from microspheres.

The principal objective of these studies was to microencapsulate brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and to test its biological effects in vitro. Two types of microspheres with BDNF were prepared using biodegradable polymers: chitosan and poly-(L-lactic acid):poly-(L-glycolic acid). Depending on the procedure, sizes ranged from 1 micron to 1 mm as determined by an image analysis system. The biological assays confirmed that the released BDNF remains biologically active in vitro. Microencapsulation of BDNF and other trophic factors may represent a viable alternative to currently employed delivery systems in vivo and holds potential for eventual therapy of neurodegenerative disorders, in particular for peripheral neuropathies and CNS disorders where supplementation of neurotrophins retards or even prevents neural degeneration.