Donald C. Monkhouse

A three-dimensional osteochondral composite scaffold for articular cartilage repair

There is a recognized and urgent need for improved treatment of articular cartilage defects. Tissue engineering of cartilage using a cell-scaffold approach has demonstrated potential to offer an alternative and effective method for treating articular defects. We have developed a unique, heterogeneous, osteochondral scaffold using the TheriForm three-dimensional printing process. The material composition, porosity, macroarchitecture, and mechanical properties varied throughout the scaffold structure. The upper, cartilage region was 90% porous and composed of D,L-PLGA/L-PLA, with macroscopic staggered channels to facilitate homogenous cell seeding. The lower, cloverleaf-shaped bone portion was 55% porous and consisted of a L-PLGA/TCP composite, designed to maximize bone ingrowth while maintaining critical mechanical properties. The transition region between these two sections contained a gradient of materials and porosity to prevent delamination. Chondrocytes preferentially attached to the cartilage portion of the device, and biochemical and histological analyses showed that cartilage formed during a 6-week in vitro culture period. The tensile strength of the bone region was similar in magnitude to fresh cancellous human bone, suggesting that these scaffolds have desirable mechanical properties for in vivo applications, including full joint replacement.

In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluations of Biodegradable Implants for Hormone Replacement Therapy: Effect of System Design and PK-PD Relationship

This investigation evaluated the feasibility of using subdermally implantable devices fabricated by nonconventional 3-dimensional printing technology for controlled delivery of ethinyl estradiol (EE2). In vitro release kinetics of EE2 and in vivo pharmacokinetics pharmacodynamics in ovariectomized New Zealand White rabbits were carried out to study 3 implant prototypes: implant I (single-channel EE2 distribution in polycaprolactone polymer core), implant II (homogeneous EE2 distribution in polycaprolactone polymer matrix), and implant III (concentration-gradient EE2 distribution in polycaprolactone and poly(dl-lactide-co-glycolide) (50∶50 matrix). EE2 was found to be released from all the implants in a nonlinear pattern with an order of implant III>implant II>implant I. The noncompartmental pharmacokinetic analysis of plasma EE2 profiles in rabbits indicated a significant difference (p>.05) in Cmax, tmax, and mean residence time between implant I and implants II and III, but no difference in the area under the plasma concentration time curves calculated by trapezoidal rule (AUC) among the implants. For pharmacodynamic studies, endogenous follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were observed to be suppressed following implantation of all implants, which demonstrated that a therapeutically effective dose of EE2 had been delivered. Furthermore, the noncompartmental analysis of plasma FSH and LH profiles in rabbits showed a significant difference (p<.05) in AUC and the mean residence time between implant III and implants I and II. A good in vivo/in vitro relationship was observed between daily amounts of EE2 released and plasma profiles of EE2 for all implants. This relationship suggests that plasma profiles of EE2 could be predicted from in vitro measurement of daily amount of EE2 released Therefore, performing in vitro drug release studies may aid in the development of an EE2 implant with the desired in vivo release rate.

Evaluation of Critical Formulation Factors in the Development of a Rapidly Dispersing Captopril Oral Dosage Form

Abstract New methods of manufacture have enabled the creation of novel dosage forms with unique rapid-dispersion properties. This study combines one such technique with a statistical experimental design to develop dosage forms from captopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor used to treat cases of hypertensive emergency. The TheriForm™ process, a novel microfabrication technique, was used to build the dosage forms in a layer-by-layer fashion. Three key formulation factors were chosen for the design of experiments. A modified central composite design (Box-Behnken design) was used to maximize the efficiency of the experiments. A total of 13 distinct formulations were fabricated and tested, using mannitol as the bulk excipient. In addition, three replicates of the center point were tested to assess variability and experimental error. These formulations were tested for speed of dispersion (flash time), active content, hardness, friability, and moisture absorption. Regression analysis was performed to fit data responses to quadratic equations. Excellent dose accuracy (95% to 102% of target) and content uniformity (between 1.03% to 2.84%) were observed from all experimental formulation batches. As expected, the choice of powder additive (maltitol, maltodextrin, polyvinyl pyrrolidone), level of additive (2.5% to 7.5%), and saturation level of the binder liquid (45% to 65%) were all found to be significant factors for the TheriForm process. The regression analysis suggested that a rapidly dispersing dosage form of optimal physical properties would be obtained when a powder mixture of mannitol (97.5%) and maltitol (2.5%) is used at a saturation level of 45%. In conclusion, rapidly dispersing captopril oral dosage forms were successfully fabricated and tested. A wide range of physical properties, flash time, and hardness, were determined experimentally, and the effects of key formulation factors were identified.