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New Insight into the Role of Polyethylene Glycol Acting as Protein Release Modifier in Lipidic Implants

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Abstract

Purpose

It has recently been shown that the addition of polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG) to lipidic implants fundamentally affects the resulting protein release kinetics and moreover, the underlying mass transport mechanisms (Herrmann, Winter, Mohl, F. Siepmann, & J. Siepmann, J. Control. Release, 2007). However, it is yet unclear in which way PEG acts. It was the aim of this study to elucidate the effect of PEG in a mechanistic manner.

Materials and Methods

rh-interferon α-2a (IFN-α)-loaded, tristearin-based implants containing various amounts of PEG were prepared by compression. Protein and PEG release was monitored in phosphate buffer pH 4.0 and pH 7.4. IFN-α solubility and stability were assessed by reverse phase and size exclusion HPLC, SDS PAGE, fluorescence and FTIR.

Results

Importantly, in presence of PEG IFN-α was drastically precipitated at pH 7.4. In contrast, at pH 4.0 up to a PEG concentration of 20% no precipitation occurred. These fundamental effects of PEG on protein solubility were reflected in the release kinetics of IFN-α from the tristearin implants: At pH 7.4 the protein release rates remained nearly constant over prolonged periods of time, whereas at pH 4.0 high initial bursts and continuously decreasing release rates were observed. Interestingly, it could be shown that IFN-α release was governed by pure diffusion at pH 4.0, irrespective of the PEG content of the matrices. In contrast, at pH 7.4 both—the limited solubility of the protein as well as diffusion through tortuous liquid-filled pores—are dominating.

Conclusions

For the first time it is shown that the release of pharmaceutical proteins can be controlled by an in-situ precipitation within inert matrices.

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Acknowledgements

This study was financially supported by the Centre de Coopération Franco-Bavarois. We further express our grateful thanks to Roche Diagnostics (Penzberg, Germany) for the supply of interferon α-2a and Sasol (Witten, Germany) for the donation of the lipids.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Butenandtstr.5, 81377, Munich, Germany

    Sandra Herrmann & Gerhard Winter

  2. Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Penzberg, Germany

    Silke Mohl

  3. College of Pharmacy, JE 2491, University of Lille, 3 Rue du Professeur Laguesse, 59006, Lille, France

    Florence Siepmann & Juergen Siepmann

Authors
  1. Sandra Herrmann
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  2. Silke Mohl
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  3. Florence Siepmann
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  4. Juergen Siepmann
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  5. Gerhard Winter
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Correspondence to Sandra Herrmann.

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Herrmann, S., Mohl, S., Siepmann, F. et al. New Insight into the Role of Polyethylene Glycol Acting as Protein Release Modifier in Lipidic Implants. Pharm Res 24, 1527–1537 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11095-007-9271-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11095-007-9271-y

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