The Release and Bioactivity of Lysozyme from Selected Sol-gel Derived SiO_2 Matrices

摘要

Local drug release has many benefits - a steadier distribution, improved compliance, but most importantly it allows the convenient use of protein based molecules as therapeutic agents. Many different types of materials have been studied as drug carriers, including sol-gel derived SiO_2 matrices. In this study lysozyme was used as a model protein and its release from prepared SiO_2 monoliths and its biological activity thereafter was studied spectroscopically. Sucrose was used in some preparations to assess its ability to function as a protective agent during storing. Lysozyme release and bioactivity was similar in both preparations containing it when tested fresh. In monoliths stored for ten weeks, however, differences were observed in the biological activity of released lysozyme. In the preparations containing sucrose, lysozyme had retained its activity, while it was virtually nil in the preparations containing only lysozyme. This shows that sol-gel derived SiO_2 matrices can be used as carriers for small proteins and that sucrose can function as a protective agent in them.