Preparation and Characterization of PLG Microparticles by the Multiple Emulsion Method for the Sustained Release of Proteins

Arphaphat Yenying; Krissana Tangamatakul; Chayarop Supanchart; Thannaphat Jenvoraphot; Kiattikhun Manokruang; Patnarin Worajittiphon; Winita Punyodom; Donraporn Daranarong

doi:10.3390/mi13101761

Preparation and Characterization of PLG Microparticles by the Multiple Emulsion Method for the Sustained Release of Proteins

Micromachines (Basel). 2022 Oct 18;13(10):1761. doi: 10.3390/mi13101761.

Authors

Arphaphat Yenying¹, Krissana Tangamatakul¹, Chayarop Supanchart¹, Thannaphat Jenvoraphot², Kiattikhun Manokruang³, Patnarin Worajittiphon^{2

3}, Winita Punyodom^{2

3}, Donraporn Daranarong^{2

4}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
² Bioplastic Production Laboratory for Medical Application, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
³ Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
⁴ Science and Technology Research Institute, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.

Abstract

Rapid release and diminished stability are two of the limitations associated with the growth factors that are essentially used in dental applications. These growth factors are employed to enhance the quality and quantity of tissue or bone matter during regeneration. Therefore, drug delivery devices and systems have been developed to address these limitations. In this study, bovine serum albumin (BSA), as a representative growth factor, was successfully sustained by encapsulation with the medium-absorbable copolymer, poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) 70:30% mol, via the multiple emulsion method. Different PLG, PVA, and BSA concentrations were used to investigate their effects on the BSA encapsulation efficiency. The suitable ratios leading to a better characterization of microparticles and a higher encapsulation efficiency in producing encapsulated PLG microparticles were 8% (w/v) of PLG, 0.25% (w/v) of PVA, and 8% (w/v) of BSA. Furthermore, an in vitro release study revealed a bursting release of BSA from the encapsulated PLG microsphere in the early phase of development. Subsequently, a gradual release was observed over a period of eight weeks. Furthermore, to encapsulate LL-37, different proteins were used in conjunction with PLG under identical conditions with regard to the loading efficiency and morphology, thereby indicating high variations and poor reproducibility. In conclusion, the encapsulated PLG microparticles could effectively protect the protein during encapsulation and could facilitate sustainable protein release over a period of 60 days. Importantly, an optimal method must be employed in order to achieve a high degree of encapsulation efficiency for all of the protein or growth factors. Accordingly, the outcomes of this study will be useful in the manufacture of drug delivery devices that require medium-sustained release growth factors, particularly in dental treatments.

Keywords: bovine serum albumin (BSA); encapsulation efficiency; microparticles; multiple emulsion method; poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide).

Grants and funding

This research was financially supported by the Fundamental Fund 2022, Chiang Mai University; the Program Management Unit for Human Resources and Institutional Development, Research and Innovation, the Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO) [Grant Number B16F640001], and the Center of Excellence in Materials Science and Technology, Chiang Mai University. This project also received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Grant Agreement (Grant No. 871650) (MEDIPOL).