Optimising the cell source and biomaterials for the generation of vascularized adipose tissue in vivo

We initially described a rat chamber model with an inserted arteriovenous pedicle which spontaneously generates 3-dimensional vascularized connective tissue (Tanaka Y et al., Br J Plast Surg 2000; 53: 51-7). More recently we have developed a murine chamber model containing reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel®) and FGF-2 that generates vascularized adipose tissue in vivo (Cronin K et al., Plast Reconstr Surg 2004; in press). We have extended this work to assess the cellular and matrix requirements for the Matrigel®- induced neo-adipogenesis. We found that chambers sealed to host fat were unable to grow new adipose tissue. In these chambers the Matrigel® became vascularized with maximal outgrowth of vessels extending to the periphery at 6 weeks. A small amount of adipose tissue was found adjacent to the vessels, most likely arising from periadventitial adipose tissue. In contrast, chambers open to interaction with endogenous adipose tissue showed abundant new fat, and partial exposure to adjacent adipose tissue clearly showed neo-adipogenesis only in this area. Addition of small amounts of free fat to the closed chamber containing Matrigel® was able to induce neo-adipogenesis. Addition of small pieces of human fat also caused neo-adipogenesis in immunocompromised (SCID) mice. Also, we found Matrigel® to induce adipogenesis of Lac-Z-tagged (Rosa-26) murine bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, and cells similar to these have been isolated from human adipose tissue. Given that Matrigel® is a mouse product and cannot be used in humans, we have started investigating alternative matrix scaffolds for adipogenesis such as the PDA-approved PLGA, collagen and purified components derived from Matrigel®, such as laminin-1. The optimal conditions for adipogenesis with these matrices are still being elucidated. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that a precursor cell source inside the chamber is essential for the generation of vascularized adipose tissue in vivo. This technique offers unique potential for the reconstruction of soft tissue defects and may enable the generation of site-specific tissue using the correct microenvironment.

Microparticle-mediated gene delivery for the enhanced expression of a 19-KDa fragment of merozoite surface protein 1 of Plasmodium falciparum

The 19 kDa carboxyl-terminal fragment of merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP119) is a major component of the invasion-inhibitory response in individual immunity to malaria. A novel ultrasonic atomization approach for the formulation of biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles of malaria DNA vaccines encoding MSP119 is presented here. After condensing the plasmid DNA (pDNA) molecules with a cationic polymer polyethylenimine (PEI), a 40 kHz ultrasonic atomization frequency was used to formulate PLGA microparticles at a flow rate of 18 mL h1. High levels of gene expression and moderate cytotoxicity in COS-7 cells were achieved with the condensed pDNA at a nitrogen to phosphate (N/P) ratio of 20, thus demonstrating enhanced cellular uptake and expression of the transgene. The ability of the microparticles to convey pDNA was examined by characterizing the formulated microparticles. The microparticles displayed Z-average hydrodynamic diameters of 1.50-2.10 lm and zeta potentials of 17.8-23.2 mV. The encapsulation efficiencies were between 78 and 83%, and 76 and 85% of the embedded malaria pDNA molecules were released under physiological conditions in vitro. These results indicate that PLGA-mediated microparticles can be employed as potential gene delivery systems to antigen-presenting cells in the prevention of malaria.

Synthesis of biodegradable polymer-mesoporous silica composite microspheres for DNA prime-protein boost vaccination

DNA vaccines or proteins are capable of inducing specific immunity; however, the translation to the clinic has generally been problematic, primarily due to the reduced magnitude of immune response and poor pharmacokinetics. Herein we demonstrate a composite microsphere formulation, composed of mesoporous silica spheres (MPS) and poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), enables the controlled delivery of a prime-boost vaccine via the encapsulation of plasmid DNA (pDNA) and protein in different compartments. Method with modified dual-concentric-feeding needles attached to a 40 kHz ultrasonic atomizer was studied. These needles focus the flow of two different solutions, which passed through the ultrasonic atomizer. The process synthesis parameters, which are important to the scale-up of composite microspheres, were also studied. These parameters include polymer concentration, feed flowrate, and volumetric ratio of polymer and pDNA-PEI/MPS-BSA. This fabrication technique produced composite microspheres with mean D[4,3] ranging from 6 to 34 μm, depending upon the microsphere preparation. The resultant physical morphology of composite microspheres was largely influenced by the volumetric ratio of pDNA-PEI/MPS-BSA to polymer, and this was due to the precipitation of MPS at the surface of the microspheres. The encapsulation efficiencies were predominantly in the range of 93-98% for pDNA and 46-68% for MPS. In the in vitro studies, the pDNA and protein showed different release kinetics in a 40 day time frame. The dual-concentric-feeding in ultrasonic atomization was shown to have excellent reproducibility. It was concluded that this fabrication technique is an effective method to prepare formulations containing a heterologous prime-boost vaccine in a single delivery system.

Preparation and characterization of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microparticles containing DNA molecules encoding a malaria vaccine candidate

Background A novel ultrasonic atomization approach for the formulation of biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles of a malaria DNA vaccine is presented. A 40 kHz ultrasonic atomization device was used to create the microparticles from a feedstock containing 5 volumes of 0.5% w/v PLGA in acetone and 1 volume of condensed DNA which was fed at a flow rate of 18ml h-1. The plasmid DNA vectors encoding a malaria protein were condensed with a cationic polymer before atomization. Results High levels of gene expression in vitro were observed in COS-7 cells transfected with condensed DNA at a nitrogen to phosphate (N/P) ratio of 10. At this N/P ratio, the condensed DNA exhibited a monodispersed nanoparticle size (Z-average diameter of 60.8 nm) and a highly positive zeta potential of 38.8mV. The microparticle formulations of malaria DNA vaccine were quality assessed and it was shown that themicroparticles displayed high encapsulation efficiencies between 82-96% and a narrow size distribution in the range of 0.8-1.9 μm. In vitro release profile revealed that approximately 82% of the DNA was released within 30 days via a predominantly diffusion controlledmass transfer system. Conclusions This ultrasonic atomization technique showed excellent particle size reproducibility and displayed potential as an industrially viable approach for the formulation of controlled release particles.

Process considerations related to the microencapsulation of plasmid DNA via ultrasonic atomization

An effective means of facilitating DNA vaccine delivery to antigen presenting cells is through biodegradable microspheres. Microspheres offer distinct advantages over other delivery technologies by providing release of DNA vaccine in its bioactive form in a controlled fashion. In this study, biodegradable poly(D,L-lactide-coglycolide) (PLGA) microspheres containing polyethylenimine (PEI) condensed plasmid DNA (pDNA) were prepared using a 40 kHz ultrasonic atomization system. Process synthesis parameters, which are important to the scale-up of microspheres that are suitable for nasal delivery (i.e., less than 20 μm), were studied. These parameters include polymer concentration; feed flowrate; volumetric ratio of polymer and pDNA-PEI (plasmid DNA-polyethylenimine) complexes; and nitrogen to phosphorous (N/P) ratio. PDNA encapsulation efficiencies were predominantly in the range 82-96%, and the mean sizes of the particle were between 6 and 15 μm. The ultrasonic synthesis method was shown to have excellent reproducibility. PEI affected morphology of the microspheres, as it induced the formation of porous particles that accelerate the release rate of pDNA. The PLGA microspheres displayed an in vitro release of pDNA of 95-99% within 30 days and demonstrated zero order release kinetics without an initial spike of pDNA. Agarose electrophoresis confirmed conservation of the supercoiled form of pDNA throughout the synthesis and in vitro release stages. It was concluded that ultrasonic atomization is an efficient technique to overcome the key obstacles in scaling-up the manufacture of encapsulated vaccine for clinical trials and ultimately, commercial applications.

Novel surgical and imaging methods of the middle ear and temporal bone

Välikorvaleikkauksiin usein liittyvän välikorvan ja kuuloluuketjun kirurgisen rekonstruktion tavoitteena on luoda olosuhteet, jotka mahdollistavat hyvän kuulon sekä välikorvan säilymisen tulehduksettomana ja ilmapitoisena. Välikorvan rekonstruktiossa on käytetty implanttimateriaaleina perinteisesti potilaan omia kudoksia sekä tarvittaessa erilaisia hajoamattomia biomateriaaleja, mm. titaania ja silikonia. Ongelmana biomateriaalien käytössä voi olla bakteerien adherenssi eli tarttuminen vieraan materiaalin pintaan, mikä saattaa johtaa biofilmin muodostumiseen. Tämä voi aiheuttaa kroonisen, huonosti antibiootteihin reagoivan infektion kudoksessa, mikä usein käytännössä johtaa uusintaleikkaukseen ja implantin poistoon. Maitohappo- ja glykolihappopohjaiset biologisesti hajoavat polymeerit ovat olleet kliinisessä käytössä jo vuosikymmeniä. Niitä on käytetty erityisesti tukimateriaaleina mm. ortopediassa sekä kasvo- ja leukakirurgiassa. Niitä ei ole toistaiseksi käytetty välikorvakirurgiassa. Korvan kuvantamiseen käytetään ensisijaisesti tietokonetomografiaa (TT). TT-tutkimuksen ongelmana on potilaan altistuminen suhteellisen korkealle sädeannokselle, joka kasvaa kumulatiivisesti, jos kuvaus joudutaan toistamaan. Väitöskirjatyö selvittää uuden, aiemmin kliinisessä työssä rutiinisti lähinnä hampaiston ja kasvojen alueen kuvantamiseen käytetyn rajoitetun kartiokeila-TT:n soveltuvuutta korvan alueen kuvantamiseen. Väitöskirjan kahdessa ensimmäisessä osatyössä tutkittiin ja verrattiin kahden kroonisia ja postoperatiivisia korvainfektioita aiheuttavan bakteerin, Staphylococcus aureuksen ja Pseudomonas aeruginosan, in vitro adherenssia titaanin, silikonin ja kahden eri biohajoavan polymeerin (PLGA) pintaan. Lisäksi tutkittiin materiaalien albumiinipinnoituksen vaikutusta adherenssiin. Kolmannessa osatyössä tutkittiin eläinmallissa PLGA:n biokompatibiliteettia eli kudosyhteensopivuutta kokeellisessa välikorvakirurgiassa. Chinchillojen välikorviin istutettiin PLGA-materiaalia, eläimiä seurattiin, ja ne lopetettiin 6 kk:n kuluttua operaatiosta. Biokompatibiliteetin arviointi perustui kliinisiin havaintoihin sekä kudosnäytteisiin. Neljännessä osatyössä tutkittiin kartiokeila-TT:n soveltuvuutta korvan alueen kuvantamiseen vertaamalla sen tarkkuutta perinteisen spiraali-TT:n tarkkuuteen. Molemmilla laitteilla kuvattiin ohimo- eli temporaaliluita korvan alueen kliinisesti ja kirurgisesti tärkeiden rakenteiden kuvantumisen tarkkuuden arvioimiseksi. Viidennessä osatyössä arvioitiin myös operoitujen temporaaliluiden kuvantumista kartiokeila-TT:ssa. Bakteeritutkimuksissa PLGA-materiaalin pintaan tarttui keskimäärin korkeintaan saman verran tai vähemmän bakteereita kuin silikonin tai titaanin. Albumiinipinnoitus vähensi bakteeriadherenssia merkitsevästi kaikilla materiaaleilla. Eläinkokeiden perusteella PLGA todettiin hyvin siedetyksi välikorvassa. Korvakäytävissä tai välikorvissa ei todettu infektioita, tärykalvon perforaatioita tai materiaalin esiin työntymistä. Kudosnäytteissä näkyi lievää tulehdusreaktiota ja fibroosia implantin ympärillä. Temporaaliluutöissä rajoitettu kartiokeila-TT todettiin vähintään yhtä tarkaksi menetelmäksi kuin spiraali-TT välikorvan ja sisäkorvan rakenteiden kuvantamisessa, ja sen aiheuttama kertasäderasitus todettiin spiraali-TT:n vastaavaa huomattavasti vähäisemmäksi. Kartiokeila-TT soveltui hyvin välikorvaimplanttien ja postoperatiivisen korvan kuvantamiseen. Tulokset osoittavat, että PLGA on välikorvakirurgiaan soveltuva, turvallinen ja kudosyhteensopiva biomateriaali. Biomateriaalien pinnoittaminen albumiinilla vähentää merkittävästi bakteeriadherenssia niihin, mikä puoltaa pinnoituksen soveltamista implanttikirurgiassa. Kartiokeila-TT soveltuu korvan alueen kuvantamiseen. Sen tarkkuus kliinisesti tärkeiden rakenteiden osoittamisessa on vähintään yhtä hyvä ja sen potilaalle aiheuttama sädeannos pienempi kuin nykyisen korva-spiraali-TT:n. Tämä tekee menetelmästä spiraali-TT:aa potilasturvallisemman vaihtoehdon erityisesti, jos potilaan tilanne vaatii seurantaa ja useampia kuvauksia, ja jos halutaan kuvata rajoitettuja alueita uni- tai bilateraalisesti.

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid): Carbon nanofiber composites for myocardial tissue engineering applications

The objective of the present in vitro research was to investigate cardiac tissue cell functions (specifically cardiomyocytes and neurons) on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) (50:50 wt.%)-carbon nanofiber (CNF) composites to ascertain their potential for myocardial tissue engineering applications. CNF were added to biodegradable PLGA to increase the conductivity and cytocompatibility of pure PLGA. For this reason, different PLGA:CNF ratios (100:0, 75:25, 50:50,25:75, and 0:100 wt.%) were used and the conductivity as well as cytocompatibility of cardiomyocytes and neurons were assessed. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy analysis characterized the microstructure, chemistry, and crystallinity of the materials of interest to this study. The results show that PLGA:CNF materials are conductive and that the conductivity increases as greater amounts of CNF are added to PLGA, from OS m(-1) for pure PLGA (100:0 wt.%) to 5.5 x 10(-3) S m(-1) for pure CNF (0:100 wt.%). The results also indicate that cardiomyocyte density increases with greater amounts of CNF in PLGA (up to 25:75 wt.% PLGA:CNF) for up to 5 days. For neurons a similar trend to cardiomyocytes was observed, indicating that these conductive materials promoted the adhesion and proliferation of two cell types important for myocardial tissue engineering applications. This study thus provides, for the first time, an alternative conductive scaffold using nanotechnology which should be further explored for cardiovascular applications. (C) 2011 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Long-Term Sustained Release of Salicylic Acid from Cross-Linked Biodegradable Polyester Induces a Reduced Foreign Body Response in Mice

There has been a continuous surge toward developing new biopolymers that exhibit better in vivo biocompatibility properties in terms of demonstrating a reduced foreign body response (FBR). One approach to mitigate the undesired FBR is to develop an implant capable of releasing anti-inflammatory molecules in a sustained manner over a long time period. Implants causing inflammation are also more susceptible to infection. In this article, the in vivo biocompatibility of a novel, biodegradable salicylic acid releasing polyester (SAP) has been investigated by subcutaneous implantation in a mouse model. The tissue response to SAP was compared with that of a widely used biodegradable polymer, poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), as a control over three time points: 2, 4, and 16 weeks postimplantation. A long-term in vitro study illustrates a continuous, linear (zero order) release of salicylic acid with a cumulative mass percent release rate of 7.34 x 10(-4) h(-1) over similar to 1.5-17 months. On the basis of physicochemical analysis, surface erosion for SAP and bulk erosion for PLGA have been confirmed as their dominant degradation modes in vivo. On the basis of the histomorphometrical analysis of inflammatory cell densities and collagen distribution as well as quantification of proinflammatory cytokine levels (TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta), a reduced foreign body response toward SAP with respect to that generated by PLGA has been unambiguously established. The favorable in vivo tissue response to SAP, as manifest from the uniform and well-vascularized encapsulation around the implant, is consistent with the decrease in inflammatory cell density and increase in angiogenesis with time. The above observations, together with the demonstration of long-term and sustained release of salicylic acid, establish the potential use of SAP for applications in improved matrices for tissue engineering and chronic wound healing.

Cell microencapsulation for therapeutic purposes: towards greater control over biocompatibility

233 p.: il.

Morphofunctional changes in a rat model of Parkinson's disease - Effects of neurotrophic factors administration

255 p.

Increased antiparkinson efficacy of the combined administration of VEGF- and GDNF-loaded nanospheres in a partial lesion model of Parkinson's disease

Current research efforts are focused on the application of growth factors, such as glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), as neuroregenerative approaches that will prevent the neurodegenerative process in Parkinson's disease. Continuing a previous work published by our research group, and with the aim to overcome different limitations related to growth factor administration, VEGF and GDNF were encapsulated in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanospheres (NS). This strategy facilitates the combined administration of the VEGF and GDNF into the brain of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) partially lesioned rats, resulting in a continuous and simultaneous drug release. The NS particle size was about 200 nm and the simultaneous addition of VEGF NS and GDNF NS resulted in significant protection of the PC-12 cell line against 6-OHDA in vitro. Once the poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) NS were implanted into the striatum of 6-OHDA partially lesioned rats, the amphetamine rotation behavior test was carried out over 10 weeks, in order to check for in vivo efficacy. The results showed that VEGF NS and GDNF NS significantly decreased the number of amphetamine-induced rotations at the end of the study. In addition, tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemical analysis in the striatum and the external substantia nigra confirmed a significant enhancement of neurons in the VEGF NS and GDNF NS treatment group. The synergistic effect of VEGF NS and GDNF NS allows for a reduction of the dose by half, and may be a valuable neurogenerative/neuroreparative approach for treating Parkinson's disease.

Development of a nanoporous and multilayer drug-delivery platform for medical implants.

Biodegradable polymers can be applied to a variety of implants for controlled and local drug delivery. The aim of this study is to develop a biodegradable and nanoporous polymeric platform for a wide spectrum of drug-eluting implants with special focus on stent-coating applications. It was synthesized by poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA 65:35, PLGA 75:25) and polycaprolactone (PCL) in a multilayer configuration by means of a spin-coating technique. The antiplatelet drug dipyridamole was loaded into the surface nanopores of the platform. Surface characterization was made by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE). Platelet adhesion and drug-release kinetic studies were then carried out. The study revealed that the multilayer films are highly nanoporous, whereas the single layers of PLGA are atomically smooth and spherulites are formed in PCL. Their nanoporosity (pore diameter, depth, density, surface roughness) can be tailored by tuning the growth parameters (eg, spinning speed, polymer concentration), essential for drug-delivery performance. The origin of pore formation may be attributed to the phase separation of polymer blends via the spinodal decomposition mechanism. SE studies revealed the structural characteristics, film thickness, and optical properties even of the single layers in the triple-layer construct, providing substantial information for drug loading and complement AFM findings. Platelet adhesion studies showed that the dipyridamole-loaded coatings inhibit platelet aggregation that is a prerequisite for clotting. Finally, the films exhibited sustained release profiles of dipyridamole over 70 days. These results indicate that the current multilayer phase therapeutic approach constitutes an effective drug-delivery platform for drug-eluting implants and especially for cardiovascular stent applications.

Evaluation of the functionality of biodegradable polymeric platforms for drug delivery systems

We present the development of a drug-loaded triple-layer platform consisting of thin film biodegradable polymers, in a properly designed form for the desired gradual degradation. Poly(dl-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA (65:35), PLGA (75:25)) and polycaprolactone (PCL) were grown by spin coating technique, to synthesize the platforms with the order PCL/PLGA (75:25)/PLGA (65:35) that determine their degradation rates. The outer PLGA (65:35) layer was loaded with dipyridamole, an antiplatelet drug. Spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) in the Vis-far UV range was used to determine the nanostructure, as well as the content of the incorporated drug in the as-grown platforms. In situ and real-time SE measurements were carried out using a liquid cell for the dynamic evaluation of the fibrinogen and albumin protein adsorption processes. Atomic force microscopy studies justified the SE results concerning the nanopores formation in the polymeric platforms, and the dominant adsorption mechanisms of the proteins, which were defined by the drug incorporation in the platforms. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

功能化乳酸类聚合物的生物应用研究

乳酸类聚合物具有广泛的生物学和医学应用潜力，但是乳酸类聚酯主链缺少活性位点限制了其应用的范围。用聚乙二醇与聚乳酸共聚进行改性，可以提高担载水溶性药物的效率和控释能力；氨基酸改性再偶联生物分子可以实现乳酸类聚合物的生物功能化和生物智能化的应用。本论文以功能化乳酸类聚合物为研究对象，按照聚乳酸生物功能由低级到高级的顺序分别考察了乳酸类聚合物作为载药纤维、表面活性材料、蛋白质固载和纯化材料、以及靶向药物载体等在一些生物领域的应用，并获得结果如下：1） 聚乙二醇改性的聚乳酸嵌段共聚物纺丝担载阿霉素，具有体内和体外的长效缓释作用；2）以biotin/PLL—PLA—PEG制备的高分子涂层，具有良好的特异性固载生物分子；3）将biotin/PLL—PLA—PEG与PLGA共混制备生物活性纤维，则特异性的固载蛋白质；4）用聚半胱氨酸改性聚乳酸合成PCys—PLA，再和PLGA共混制备纤维，再表面偶联还原型谷胱甘肽，则可以捕获谷胱甘肽转移酶；5）将folate/PLL—PLA—PEG制备成胶束，则具备了叶酸受体介导的生物智能化靶向送药的功能，尤其是在动物肿瘤模型的试验中表现了良好的叶酸受体靶向性。

可生物降解电纺丝超细纤维

电纺丝技术是一种用来制备超细纤维的方法，成本低廉、简单易行。近十年来，电纺丝技术在理论研究和实验参数研究等方面都取得了不小的进展。由电纺丝技术制备的超细纤维直径至少比传统的纺丝工艺低1-3个数量级，因此，在增强复合材料、过滤系统、防护衣、光学和电学器件及生物医药等方面都显示出巨大的应用潜力。尤其是在生物医药领域，电纺丝超细纤维可广泛用作组织工程支架、药物传输与控制释放的载体及创伤敷料等，这也是国际上的一个研究热点。但由于电纺丝过程的复杂性和实验参数的多样性，制备直径分布范围窄的纤维一直是电纺丝的难点之一，另外，以电纺丝超细纤维作为药物传输与释放的载体也是近两年才刚刚发展起来的，还不十分成熟，经常会存在药物的突释现象。针对以上问题，本论文以可生物降解高分子材料PLA、PLGA（80／20）和PCL进行电纺丝，系统地研究了溶剂体系、表面活性剂、鲜溶液流速、喷丝口直径及环境温度与空气流动速度等因素对电纺丝过程及纤维形貌和直径分布的影响，同时对电纺丝纤维的性质进行了分析。在此基础上，我们研究了PLLA和PCL电纺丝超细纤綷的酶降解行为，并实现了PLLA纤维对抗癌药紫杉醇和1. 以氯仿、氯仿/丙酮、1、2-二氯乙烷及氯仿/1,2-氯乙烷为溶剂体系，制备了PLA、PCL和PLGA（80／20）的电纺丝超细纤维。当氯仿与丙酮的体积比为1：1时为最佳溶剂体系，电纺丝过程和纤维形貌都得到较大的改善。阳离子表面活性剂节基三乙基氯化按（TBBAC）和阴离子表面活性剂十二烷基硫酸钠（SDS）的加入也可以显著改善电纺丝过程和纤维的直径分布，而非离子表面活性剂脂肪醇聚氧乙烯醚（AEO10）的改善程度较小。压力较大或喷丝口直径较粗时，则会由于溶液流量的增大而造成纤维的粘连。空气流速较大时，则纤维会由于空气的对流速度加快而发生缠绕和卷曲。2．PLLA、PCL和PLGA（80／20）超细纤维毡的孔隙率都较大，分别达到89％、68％和80％，因此，PLLA和PCL纤维的力学性能都远远低于膜。3．电纺丝过程会使纤维中的高分子链产生一定的排列和高度的取向，但由于纤维的固化速度很快，高分子链来不及进行规整排列而形成结晶，因此，DSC和WXAD的结果都显示，PCL纤维毡的结晶度要比相应的膜低。对于PLLA纤维毡来说，由于Tg在室温以上，在进行DSC测试的升温过程中，会由于分子链的运动而使结晶度升高。4．蛋白酶K在Tris-HCL缓冲液中略显正电性，因而阴离子表面活性剂对蛋白酶K会有一定的吸附作用，而阳离子表面活性剂对蛋白酶K在纤维表面的吸附则有一定的阻碍作用，因此，含有5wt％SDS的PLLA纤维的酶降解速率比含有swt％TEBAC的PLLA纤维稍快。虽然纤维中PLLA的分子链可能高度取向，但在整个降解过程中，PLLA纤维样品都处在非晶状态，没有明显的结晶行为。5．与PLLA纤维的降解情况恰好相反，由于脂肪酶PS在磷酸盐缓冲液（PBS）缓冲液中显示较强的负电性，因而阳离子表面活性剂TEBAC会对脂肪酶PS有吸附作用，从而含有5wt％TEBAC的PCL纤维降解速度较快，而阴离子表面活性剂SDS会对脂肪酶PS在纤维表面的吸附有阻碍作用，因此，降解反应在含有5wt％SDS的PCL纤维中几乎不能发生。DSC和WAXD的结果均显示，在降解过程中，含有5wt％TEBAC的PCL纤维的结晶度明显升高。这有两个可能原因：一是脂肪酶PS对PCL纤维的降解是优先发生在无定形区：二是因为降解实验是在37℃的条件下进行的，该温度在PCL的Tg之上和TC温度附近，因而，具有高度排列和取向的PCL纤维就会由于分子链的运动而产生结晶，造成结晶度的提局。6，在电纺丝溶液中加入利福平、紫杉醇和阿霉素等药物，同样会改善电纺丝过程，使纤维直径降低，分布变窄。7．SEM照片和药物控制释放实验均显示，药物模型利福平或抗癌药紫杉醇完全被包埋在PLLA纤维内部，同时，利福平一PLLA纤维和紫杉醇－PLLA纤维在含蛋白酶K的Tris-HCl缓冲液中的释放遵循零级动力学，完全没有突释现象。PLLA纤维的降解速度是药物释放的主导因素。这是在国际范围内首次取得这样的结果，从而使电纺丝超细纤维药物剂型的发展取得了本质上的进步。8．药物在溶剂体系中的溶解性及与高分子材料的相容性是影响药物能否被纤维成功包埋的直接因素，一般脂溶性药物易于被脂溶性的高分子纤维包埋。因此，水溶性的盐酸阿霉素难于被包埋在脂溶性的PLLA纤维内部，在纤维外面和表面存在大量盐酸阿霉素的颗粒。相应地，其药物释放行为存在明显的突释现象，这主要是由纤维外面和表面的盐酸阿霉素的溶解、扩散造成的。而经去盐酸化的阿霉素的脂溶性较好，因此，在PLLA纤维中的包埋及释放行为均得到明显的改善，可实现阿霉素的恒速释放，无突释行为。9．SEM照片显示，药物模型利福平被完全包埋在PLGA（80／20）纤维内部，利福平-PLGA（80／20）纤维在PBS中的释放速率是随着纤维中利福平含量的增加而增加的，利福平的含量越大，其释放速率越快。在释放前期，利福平的扩散起主导作用，而在释放后期，其释放行为则是利福平扩散和PLGA（80／20）降解的双重作用结果。适当增加利福平在纤维中的含量（30wt％），则可以获得恒速的释放行为。10．PBS中TEBAC或SDS浓度的增加会在一定程度上使利福平-PLGA（80／20）纤维的释放速率加快，这主要是由于表面活性剂会降低PBS的表面张力，增加水对PLGA（80／20）纤维的浸润能力，从而加快了利福平的扩散速度。