Complexation Hydrogels for the Oral Delivery of Growth Hormone and Salmon Calcitonin.

The hydrogel system of poly(methacrylic acid-co-N-vinyl pyrrolidone) was evaluated for use as an oral delivery system for growth hormone and salmon calcitonin. These proteins were selected because of their therapeutic importance and the insight provided by evaluating the delivery of a therapeutic agent with a high molecular weight (growth hormone) and a drug with a high isoelectric point (salmon calcitonin). Growth hormone loading and release studies were performed for both P(MAA-co-NVP) and P(MAA-g-PEG).