THE USE OF GELATIN AS A VEHICLE FOR DRUG AND PEPTIDE DELIVERY

Gelatin, a naturally occurring polymer, has been investigated as a veh icle for drug delivery in two different delivery systems: microspheres and as a coating on titanium implants. The gelatin was loaded with re combinant human growth hormone (hGH) which was dispersed within the po lymer matrix prior to crosslinking; it was then made into microspheres or coated onto the implants. The release of hGH was monitored in vitr o using an ''in-house'' ELISA system. The effects of pH on the swellin g kinetics and the physical properties of the loaded gelatin in the mi crosphere system were studied. In addition, the effect of ultrasound o n the microspheres was investigated as a possible method for controlli ng the rate of release of hGH, it was demonstrated that exposure to ul trasound significantly increased hGH release. Biocompatibility of the gelatin was determined using both primary human (HOB) and rabbit (ROB) osteoblastlike cells in culture.