This study has tested the application of three different copolymeric poly(a
crylamide-comonoethyl itaconate; A/MEI) hydrogels, 90A/10MEI, 75A/25MEI and
60A/40MEI, on the release of cytarabine (ara-C).
The drug was incorporated in gels by placing it in the polymerization feed
mixture and discs loaded with 5-50 mg ara-C were obtained. The amount of sw
elling at equilibrium in saline solution (NaCl, 0.9% w/w) was between 78 an
d 82% w/w, depending on the composition of the copolymer. The diffusion stu
dies followed Fick's second law. The diffusion coefficients for swelling of
the gels were between 9.30 x 10(-11) m(2) s(-1) and 37.42 x 10(-11) m(2) s
(-1) those for release of ara-C were between 3.42 x 10(-11) m(2) s(-1) and
10.25 x 10(-11) m(2) s(-1). The activation energies for swelling were in th
e range 16.60 +/- 2.59-21.85 +/- 1.78 kT mol(-1) those for ara-C release we
re 28.13 +/- 3.1-29.7 +/- 4.6 kJ mol(-1) To determine the applicability of
these copolymers, 75A/25MEI gel was subcutaneously implanted in rats and th
e plasma concentration of the drug was determined by highperformance liquid
chromatography. The concentration of ara-C in plasma (range 17.67+/-5.68-1
0.76 +/-: 2.15 mu g mL(-1)) was maintained during the first stages (2-8 h)
and no drug was detected after 32h. This route of administration was compar
ed with intraperitoneal injection of the drug.
In conclusion, ara-C can be incorporated in hydrogels and released in a pha
rmacologically active form. The concentration of ara-C in plasma is maintai
ned for long enough to improve therapeutic results.