THE USE OF GELATIN AS A VEHICLE FOR DRUG AND PEPTIDE DELIVERY

Gelatin, a naturally occurring polymer, has been investigated as a vehicle for drug delivery in two different delivery systems: microspheres and as a coating on titanium implants. The gelatin was loaded with recombinant human growth hormone (hGH) which was dispersed within the polymer matrix prior to crosslinking; it was then made into microspheres or coated onto the implants. The release of hGH was monitored in vitro using an ''in-house'' ELISA system. The effects of pH on the swelling kinetics and the physical properties of the loaded gelatin in the microsphere system were studied. In addition, the effect of ultrasound on the microspheres was investigated as a possible method for controlling the rate of release of hGH, it was demonstrated that exposure to ultrasound significantly increased hGH release. Biocompatibility of the gelatin was determined using both primary human (HOB) and rabbit (ROB) osteoblastlike cells in culture.