HYALURONIDASE-INJECTABLE MICROPARTICLES INTENDED FOR THE TREATMENT OFEXTRAVASATION

Hyaluronidase is a protein whose enzymatic activity is successfully em ployed in extravasation therapy. Taking into account that several prot eins (e.g. gelatin and albumin) have been employed as natural polymers for the preparation of microspheres, this work approaches a comprehen sive investigation on hyaluronidase injectable microparticles. The goa ls are either to obtain a sustained release preparation of hyaluronida se or to use the enzyme as drug carrier. Microspheres have been prepar ed using a water-in-oil emulsification technique, and they have been c rosslinked either by thermal or chemical means. Results show that hyal uronidase microspheres with good morphological characteristics can be obtained by this preparation method. Manufacturing variables influence the enzymatic activity of the microspheres, which can be highly prese rved under mild experimental conditions. Moreover, the suitability of this enzyme as a microparticulate drug carrier has been shown by the s uccessful encapsulation of hydrocortisone sodium succinate.