Dextran hydrogels protein loaded

Figures 4, 5 and 13 show the release of proteins form macroscopic dextran-based hydrogels. For therapeutic applications of these protein-loaded gels, injectable dosage forms like microspheres are preferred. Extensive research has been done so far on the preparation of microspheres based on biodegradable polymers (e.g. PLGA). However, for the preparation of these microspheres, organic solvents are used which might cause denaturation of the encapsulated protein (see Introduction). Furthermore, the use of organic solvents has environmental and clinical drawbacks.

Chen FM, Zhao YM, Sun HH, Jin T, Wang QT, Zhou W, Wu ZF, Jin Y (2007) Novel gly-cidyl methacrylated dextran (dex-gma)/gelatin hydrogel scaffolds containing microspheres loaded with bone morphogenetic proteins formulation and characteristics. J Control Release 118(1) 65—77... 

Chen F, Wu Z, Wang Q. et al. Preparation and biological characteristics of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2-loaded dextran-co-gelatin hydrogel microspheres, in vitro and in vivo studies. Pharmacology 2005 75 133-44. 

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