Controlled Release of High Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid from Molecularly Imprinted Hydrogel Contact Lenses

Abstract

HA can be delivered from a daily disposable lens at a therapeutic rate of approximately 6 microg/h for 24 h. This is the first demonstration of imprinting a large molecular weight polymer within a hydrogel and the effect of imprinting on the reptation of the long chain macromolecule from the structure.

Affinity‐Based Drug Delivery

“…Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan that can reach a molecular weight (MW) of up to several million Da. HA has been used successfully for topical tear delivery and the treatment of ocular discomfort and dry eye syndrome, [58] and is a good candidate for molecular imprinting. Its interaction with cell-surface glycoprotein CD44 indicates presence of side groups favorable for affinity binding.…”

“…The study ultimately concluded that the release rates of HA from hydrogels can be controlled by varying two distinct factors: the total amount of functional monomer added, and the diversity of monomers. [58] Heparin Binding for the Delivery of Growth Factors…”

Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate) Contact Lenses Containing Chitosan Nanoparticles as an Ocular Delivery System for Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate

“…In an effort to develop contact lenses capable of such use, a range of technologies have been applied, including molecular imprinting, an approach pioneered by Byrne et al [5,10]. This technology creates specific binding sites within the polymeric network that allow for increased drug loading and the release of compounds such as hyaluronic acid [10], diclofenac sodium [11] and, as stated, ketotifen fumarate [5] indicates the potential of this promising technology.…”

High Affinity Polymers by Molecular Imprinting for Drug Delivery

“…Some recent developments include the use of molecular imprinting in the preparation of materials for ocular, transdermal and oral drug delivery. Templates such as theophylline, histamine, ephedrine [77], propranolol [77,78,79,80,81], citalolpram [82], H1-antihistamines [83], sulfasalazine [84], 5-Fluorouracil [85], norfloxacin [86], hyaluronic acid [87], levofloxacin [88] among many others have been used with success. Propranolol a β-blocker widely used for hypertension treatment, is one of the most used templates, and is indeed the most successful imprinted molecule.…”