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Fate of Biodegradable DL-Lactic Acid Oligomer Microspheres in the Articulus

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijou-cho, Kashihara-shi, Nara 634-8522, Japan

Shigeru Kamei

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijou-cho, Kashihara-shi, Nara 634-8522, Japan

Yoshinori Takakura

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijou-cho, Kashihara-shi, Nara 634-8522, Japan

Susumu Tamai

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijou-cho, Kashihara-shi, Nara 634-8522, Japan

Yasuhiko Tabata

Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, 53 Kawara-cho Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan

Yoshito Ikada

Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, 53 Kawara-cho Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan

The objective of the present study was to investigate the biodegradation and tissue responses of dl-lactic acid oligomer microspheres in the knee articulus. Different-sized microspheres containing a fluorescent dye were prepared from oligomers with different molecular weights (Mw) by a solvent evaporation method. Following intra-articular injection into the kneejoint of rabbits, the microspheres were localized at the popliteal fat tissue, irrespective of the microsphere size and oligomer Mw. When degradation of the microspheres injected intra-articularly was evaluated based on the decrease in the fluorescent intensity of microspheres remaining, the microspheres were degraded with time to finally disappear in the articular cavity. The degradation periods of microsphere prepared from 3,000, 5,600, and 7,000 Mw oligomers were 5, 10, and 17 days, respectively, whereas no size dependence on microsphere degradation was observed. No inflammatory response to the microspheres by the synovial tissue was observed; however, there was a temporary increase in the number of white blood cells in the articular cavity, irrespective of the microsphere size.

Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers, Vol. 14, No. 5, 385-398 (1999)
DOI: 10.1177/088391159901400502


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