Development of Vancomycin Delivery Systems Based on Autologous 3D Platelet-Rich Fibrin Matrices for Bone Tissue Engineering

• Main Authors: Arita Dubnika, Karina Egle, Marite Skrinda-Melne, Ingus Skadins, Jayakumar Rajadas, Ilze Salma
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-07-01
• Series: Biomedicines
• Subjects: platelet-rich fibrin; drug delivery; liposomes; microcapsules; vancomycin; phospholipids
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/9/7/814

Autologous platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is derived from the blood and its use in the bone tissue engineering has emerged as an effective strategy for novel drug and growth factor delivery systems. Studies have approved that combined therapy with PRF ensures higher biological outcomes, but patients still undergo additional treatment with antibiotic drugs before, during, and even after the implantation of biomaterials with PRF. These systematically used drugs spread throughout the blood and lead not only to positive effects but may also induce adverse side effects on healthy tissues. Vancomycin hydrochloride (VANKA) is used to treat severe <i>Staphylococcal</i> infections but its absorption in the target tissue after oral administration is low; therefore, in this study, we have developed and analyzed two kinds of VANKA carriers—liposomes and microparticles in 3D PRF matrices. The adjustment, characterization, and analysis of VANKA carriers in 3D PRF scaffolds is carried out in terms of encapsulation efficiency, drug release kinetics and antibacterial activity; furthermore, we have studied the micro- and macrostructure of the scaffolds with microtomography.