Novel optimized drug delivery systems for enhancing spinal cord injury repair in rats

DRUG DELIVERY, 2021 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10717544.2021.2009937 · Published: November 15, 2021

Spinal Cord Injury Pharmacology Neurology

Simple Explanation

This research focuses on developing better drug delivery systems for spinal cord injury (SCI) treatment in rats. The goal is to improve neurological function by delivering drugs effectively to the injured tissue. Two novel drug delivery systems were created: one using sustained-release microspheres mixed with Laponite hydrogels (Lap/MS@Mel) for in situ injection, and another using nanospheres coated with platelet membranes (PM/MS@Mel) for intravenous delivery. These systems aim to provide stable, prolonged drug release, target the injury site precisely, and reduce side effects by controlling the inflammatory response and promoting tissue repair.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Lap/MS@Mel hydrogels continuously released melatonin for at least 28 days in vitro, showing a more stable sustained release and better neural recovery ability in SCI rats.
2
PM/MS@Mel nanoparticles, when administered intravenously, effectively targeted the spinal cord injury site and improved nerve function repair compared to uncoated microspheres.
3
Both drug delivery systems demonstrated neuroprotective effects, reduced oxidative stress and inflammation, and enhanced the regulation of macrophage/microglia polarization towards an M2 phenotype.

Research Summary

The study successfully designed and synthesized two novel optimized drug delivery microspheres, Lap/MS@Mel and PM/MS@Mel, for treating spinal cord injury in rats. The Lap/MS@Mel system facilitates prolonged melatonin delivery to the damaged spinal cord via in situ injection, while the PM/MS@Mel system uses nanoscale MS for intravenous delivery, increasing biocompatibility and precision of delivery. Both systems exhibited neuroprotective effects, restrained oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions, and enhanced the shift of macrophages/microglia to an M2 phenotype, suggesting their potential as clinically feasible therapeutic approaches for SCI.

Practical Implications

Clinical Translation

The two delivery systems offer different administration routes, catering to the clinical complexity of SCI patients.

Targeted Therapy

The platelet membrane coating enhances biocompatibility and precision delivery, reducing off-target effects.

Biomaterial Design

The use of Laponite hydrogels and PLGA microspheres provides a stable and sustained drug release profile.

Study Limitations

1
The study was conducted on rats, and further research is needed to validate these findings in human clinical trials.
2
The long-term effects and potential toxicity of the drug delivery systems were not fully evaluated.
3
The specific mechanisms by which the drug delivery systems influence macrophage/microglia polarization require further investigation.

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