Development Of Drug Loaded Nanofiber Sutures For Ophthalmologic Application

Abstract

Purpose: : To fabricate functional nanofibers containing antibiotic drugs and evaluate the possible application of the fibers as sutures capable of drug delivery after ophthalmologic surgery.

Methods: : Levofloxacin and Poly (L-lactic acid) (PLLA) were used to create the functional nanofibers, employing electrospinning process. Polymer and drug were dissolved in chloroform and the electrospinning applied. For the drug release test, four milligrams of fibers were weighed, placed in tubes filled with buffered saline and kept in incubator shaker at 37°C for 10 days. The entire drug release test was carried out in triplicate. At selected intervals, supernatant was tested with High Performance Liquid Chromatography to quantify the drug release. The fibers were morphologically evaluated by Scanning electron microscope and the tensile strength measured. Antibacterial efficacy was performed against Staphylococcus epidermidis,by placing a piece of fiber on agar plate and incubating overnight at 37°C.

Results: : HPLC demonstrated drug release within the first hour followed by a sustained release (p<.0001) for at least ten days. Inhibition zone testing showed antibacterial efficacy against S. epidermidis. The suture average diameter was 60.2 ±13.6 µm and the tensile strength 0.148 ± 0.036 N.

Conclusions: : Levofloxacin, a third-generation fluoroquinolone, was released from the nanofibers and showed activity against S. epidermidis, one of the most common bacteria residing on the ocular surface. The PLLA used in these experiments is a bioabsorbable and biodegradable synthetic polymer and has been shown to have no cellular toxicity. This study showed that drug loaded nanofibers sutures have potential application as a new drug delivery system in ophthalmic surgery.

Keywords: antibiotics/antifungals/antiparasitics • wound healing • endophthalmitis