Microparticle entrapment for drug release from porous-surfaced bone implants

Abstract

Metallic bone implants face interfacial concerns, such as infection and insufficient bone formation. Combination of drug-loaded microparticles with the implant surface is a promising approach to reducing the concerns. The present study reports a simple method for this purpose. Drug-loaded chitosan and alginate microparticles were separately prepared by emulsion methods. Dry microparticles were introduced into porous titanium (Ti) coatings on Ti discs, and induced to agglomerate in pores by wetting with water. Agglomerates were stably entrapped in the pores: 77–82% retained in the coating after immersion in a water bath for 7 d. Discs carrying drug-loaded microparticles showed a rapid release within 6 h and a subsequent slow release up to 1 d. After coculture with Staphylococcus epidermidis for 24 h, the discs formed inhibition zones, confirming antibacterial properties. These suggest that the microparticle entrapment-based method is a promising method for reducing some of the bone–implant interfacial concerns.

• Antibiotics
• bone implant
• drug release
• microparticles
• surface

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

This study was supported by National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program, 2012CB933600), National Natural Science Foundation of China (71172188, 81071456), and Construction Program for Innovative Research Team of Universities of Sichuan (14TD0050).