Nanoengineered drug-releasing Ti wires as an alternative for local delivery of chemotherapeutics in the brain

Figures & data

Figure 1 Scheme of drug-releasing implants for local delivery of therapeutics in the brain based on Ti wire with titania nanotube (TNT) arrays on the surface generated by electrochemical anodization. Dopamine (brain neurotransmitter) and doxorubicin (anticancer drug) were used as model drugs.

Abbreviations: Ti, titanium; TiO₂, titanium dioxide; TNT, titania nanotube.

Figure 2 SEM images of titania nanotube (TNT) arrays generated on Ti wires by electrochemical anodization. (A) TNT/Ti wire implant, (B and C) low and high resolution image showing fractures of TNT film, (D–F) cross-sectional image and the top TNT surface showing typical nanotube structures.

Abbreviations: SEM, scanning electron microscope; TNT, titania nanotube; Ti, titanium.

Figure 3 Thermogravimetric (TGA) graphs showing drug loading of (A) dopamine and (B) doxorubicin into TNT/Ti wire.

Abbreviations: TGA, thermogravimetric analysis; TNT, titania nanotube; Ti, titanium.

Table 1 Drug release characteristics of two drugs (dopamine and doxorubicin) from TNT/Ti wire showing their drug loading and release characteristics (% and mass) during burst and 8-days release period

Drug loaded into TNT/Ti	Amount loaded drug	Cumulative drug release (% and μg)				Rate of drug release
		6 hours	2 days	4 days	8 days	Burst release	After burst release
Dopamine	170 μg	60%	70%	80%	100%	17 μg/hour	9 μg/day
		100 μg	120 μg	135 μg	170 μg
Doxorubicin	1200 μg	25%	36%	50%	100%	50 μg/hour	112 μg/day
		300 μg	435 μg	620 μg	1200 μg

Abbreviations: TNT, titania nanotube; Ti, titanium.

Figure 4 Drug release graphs showing cumulative release (% and mass) from TNTs/Ti implants for (A and B) dopamine and (C and D) doxorubicin. Both total and burst releases are presented.

Abbreviations: TNT, titania nanotube; Ti, titanium.