PHARMACOKINETIC STUDY OF FIBRIN CLOT-CIPROFLOXACIN COMPLEX - AN IN-VITRO AND IN-VIVO EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION

We prepared a composite of fibrin clot and ciprofloxacin for use as a biodegradable antibiotic delivery system with sustained effect for the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis. In vitro, ten experiments were pe rformed in which 10 mg of ciprofloxacin were incorporated into 4 ml of fibrin clot. The clots were preserved in nutrient broth and incubated at 37 degrees C for a total of 60 days. Every 24 h a broth specimen w as obtained, and the ciprofloxacin concentration was determined by mic robiological assay. The maximum level of antibiotic was noted on the f irst day (49.9 +/- 5.1 mg/l). The ciprofloxacin-fibrin clot complexes usually disintegrated after 60 days. In vivo, the fibrin-ciprofloxacin clots were made as previously described. The composite was implanted in the medullary canal of rabbit tibiae, and the antibiotic concentrat ion was measured in bone, muscle, skin and serum. In all tissues aroun d the implant, the concentration of antibiotic exceeded the minimum in hibitory concentration against the common causative organisms of osteo myelitis for 10 days. The implant caused no systemic side-effects, and it is likely to prove clinically useful as a drug delivery system for treating chronic osteomyelitis.