The microclimate pH in poly(D,L-lactide-co-hydroxymethyl glycolide) microspheres during biodegradation.

ABSTRACT: The microclimate pH (μpH) in biodegradable polymers, such as poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) 50/50, commonly falls to deleterious acidic levels during biodegradation, resulting in instability of encapsulated acid-labile molecules. The μpH distribution in microspheres of a more hydrophilic polyester, poly(D,L-lactide-co-hydroxymethyl glycolide) (PLHMGA), was measured and compared to that in PLGA 50/50 of similar molecular weight and degradation time scales. pH mapping in the polymers was performed after incubation under physiological conditions by using a previously validated ratiometric method employing confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Confocal μpH maps revealed that PLHMGA microspheres, regardless of copolymer composition, developed a far less acidic μpH during 4 weeks

SUBMITTER: Liu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3817572 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature