Silk polymer-based adenosine release: therapeutic potential for epilepsy

Biomaterials. 2008 Sep;29(26):3609-16. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2008.05.010. Epub 2008 Jun 2.

Abstract

Adenosine augmentation therapies (AAT) make rational use of the brain's own adenosine-based seizure control system and hold promise for the therapy of refractory epilepsy. In an effort to develop an AAT compatible with future clinical application, we developed a novel silk protein-based release system for adenosine. Adenosine releasing brain implants with target release doses of 0, 40, 200, and 1000ng adenosine per day were prepared by embedding adenosine containing microspheres into nanofilm-coated silk fibroin scaffolds. In vitro, the respective polymers released 0, 33.4, 170.5, and 819.0ng adenosine per day over 14 days. The therapeutic potential of the implants was validated in a dose-response study in the rat model of kindling epileptogenesis. Four days prior to the onset of kindling, adenosine releasing polymers were implanted into the infrahippocampal cleft and progressive acquisition of kindled seizures was monitored over a total of 48 stimulations. We document a dose-dependent retardation of seizure acquisition. In recipients of polymers releasing 819ng adenosine per day, kindling epileptogenesis was delayed by one week corresponding to 18 kindling stimulations. Histological analysis of brain samples confirmed the correct location of implants and electrodes. We conclude that silk-based delivery of around 1000ng adenosine per day is a safe and efficient strategy to suppress seizures.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine / therapeutic use*
  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Biocompatible Materials / therapeutic use
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry*
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy*
  • Epilepsy / physiopathology
  • Fibroins / chemistry
  • Hippocampus / surgery
  • Humans
  • Kindling, Neurologic
  • Male
  • Materials Testing
  • Microspheres
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Prostheses and Implants
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Silk / chemistry*

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Drug Carriers
  • Polymers
  • Silk
  • Fibroins
  • Adenosine