Sustained administration of hormones exploiting nanoconfined diffusion through nanochannel membranes

Thomas Geninatti, R. Lyle Hood, Giacomo Bruno, Priya Jain, Eugenia Nicolov, Arturas Ziemys, Alessandro Grattoni

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Implantable devices may provide a superior means for hormone delivery through maintaining serum levels within target therapeutic windows. Zero-order administration has been shown to reach an equilibrium with metabolic clearance, resulting in a constant serum concentration and bioavailability of released hormones. By exploiting surface-to-molecule interaction within nanochannel membranes, it is possible to achieve a long-term, constant diffusive release of agents from implantable reservoirs. In this study, we sought to demonstrate the controlled release of model hormones from a novel nanochannel system. We investigated the delivery of hormones through our nanochannel membrane over a period of 40 days. Levothyroxine, osteocalcin and testosterone were selected as representative hormones based on their different molecular properties and structures. The release mechanisms and transport behaviors of these hormones within 3, 5 and 40 nm channels were characterized. Results further supported the suitability of the nanochannels for sustained administration from implantable platforms.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)5276-5288
Number of pages13
JournalMaterials
Volume8
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015

Keywords

  • Drug delivery
  • Hormone replacement
  • Nanochannel membrane
  • Nanoconfinement
  • Nanoscale diffusion

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Materials Science(all)

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