Controlled Release of Gentamicin Sulfate from Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) Wafers for the Treatment of Osteomyelitis

Biodegradable wafers were prepared with poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV; 5, 10, and 15 mole% for 3-hydroxyvalerate) by simple heat pressing method for the sustained release of antibiotic agent, gentamicin sulfate (GS) to investigate the possibility of the treatment for osteomyelitis. The effects of hydroxyvalerate (HV) content, thickness of wafers, various types of additives such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC), and different initial drug loading ratio on the release profile have been investigated.In vitro release studies showed that different release patterns and rates could be achieved by simply modifying factors in the preparation conditions. PHBV wafers with 3 mm thickness, 10% of GS initial loading, 15% of HV content and addition of 5% of SDS and HPC were free from initial burst and a near-zero-order sustained release was observed for over 30 days. It might be suggested that the mechanisms of GS release may be more predominant simple dissolution and diffusion of GS than erosion of PHBV in our system.