Development of hyaluronic acid hydrogel containing prednisolone-encapsulated nonphospholipid liposomes for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Wei-Bor TsaiChin-Ju ChenPublished in: Journal of biomedical materials research. Part B, Applied biomaterials (2024)
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) requires therapeutic approaches that alleviate symptoms and inhibit the progression of joint damage. Glucocorticoids (GCs) have been a cornerstone of RA treatment, yet their use is often limited by side effects. Recent advancements suggest that liposome-based delivery systems can improve GC biodistribution, minimizing toxicity. This study introduces an innovative tool for RA treatment using prednisone-encapsulated nonphospholipid liposomes (NPLs) in combination with a hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel. Our methodology involved incorporating prednisone (PR) with palmitic acid and cholesterol to formulate stable NPLs using a thin-film hydration technique. The synthesized PR-NPLs, characterized by a mean size of 150 nm, demonstrated uniform distribution and higher drug encapsulation in comparison with conventional phospholipid liposomes. In vitro assays revealed that PR-NPL markedly reduced inflammatory responses in macrophages. Additionally, we successfully incorporated PR-NPL into an HA hydrogel, employing a photoinitiated cross-linking process. This novel composite offered modulable PR release, governed by the degree of hydrogel cross-linking. The developed system presents a promising advancement in RA management, especially suited for intraarticular injections. It potentially enables targeted, controlled drug release with a reduced risk of side effects, signifying a significant improvement over existing RA therapies.
Keyphrases
- hyaluronic acid
- rheumatoid arthritis
- drug delivery
- drug release
- disease activity
- ankylosing spondylitis
- interstitial lung disease
- cancer therapy
- systemic lupus erythematosus
- oxidative stress
- emergency department
- photodynamic therapy
- wound healing
- depressive symptoms
- idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
- high resolution
- sleep quality
- ultrasound guided
- physical activity
- low density lipoprotein