Biocompatibility and intradiscal application of a thermoreversible celecoxib-loaded poly-N-isopropylacrylamide MgFe-layered double hydroxide hydrogel in a canine model.

Introduction: Chronic low back pain due to intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is associated with increased levels of inflammatory mediators. Current medical treatment consists of oral anti-inflammatory drugs to alleviate pain. In this study, the efficacy and safety of a novel thermoreversible poly-N-isopropylacrylamide MgFe-layered double hydroxide (pNIPAAM MgFe-LDH) hydrogel was evaluated for intradiscal controlled delivery of the selective cyclooxygenase (COX) 2 inhibitor and anti-inflammatory drug celecoxib (CXB).

A novel injectable thermoresponsive and cytocompatible gel of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) with layered double hydroxides facilitates siRNA delivery into chondrocytes in 3D culture.

Hybrid hydrogels composed of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAAM) and layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are presented in this study as novel injectable and thermoresponsive materials for siRNA delivery, which could specifically target several negative regulators of tissue homeostasis in cartilaginous tissues. Effectiveness of siRNA transfection using pNIPAAM formulated with either MgAl-LDH or MgFe-LDH platelets was investigated using osteoarthritic chondrocytes. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) was used as an endogenous model gene to evaluate the extent of silencing.

Follitropin-beta administered by pen device has superior local tolerance compared with follitropin-alpha administered by conventional syringe.

A receiver- and assessor-blind, randomized, single-centre, crossover study was performed in 60 healthy women volunteers, to compare the local tolerance of two recombinant FSH preparations administered by a pen device (delivering 150 IU follitropin-beta) or by conventional syringe (delivering 150 IU follitropin-alpha). Volunteers were randomized to one of two treatment sequences: pen device followed by conventional syringe, or the reverse. Each preparation was injected once, subcutaneously in the umbilical region and local tolerance reactions were assessed within 5 min, at 1 and 24 h after each administration.