Synthesis and Characterization of Two Sustained Release Systems of Micro- and Nano-sized Particles for Controlled Release of Atorvastatin for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications

 Using osteoinductive agents in combination with tissue engineering scaffolds is considered as a new approach to bone repair. Recently, statins have attracted great attention among a variety of drugs used in bone repair. In order to achieve a sustained release of Atorvastatin from bone scaffolds, two systems, including nanoniosomes and gelatin microspheres, were synthesized and compared.

 Nanoniosomes and gelatin microspheres were prepared by thin-film hydration and single emulsion technique, respectively.

 The prepared systems were characterized for morphology, size, carriers’ preparation efficiency, encapsulation efficiency, and drug loading. Also, release profiles of them were evaluated over a period of one week. The results indicated the formation of relatively spherical niosomes with the diameter of about 653.52nm and encapsulation efficiency of 81.34%, and formation of gelatin microspheres with the diameter of about 37.5μm and the encapsulation efficiency of 78.93%.

 The results showed that gelatin microspheres had a lower burst release than niosomes, and niosomes had more sustained release than gelatin microspheres after 24hr to 1 week. Albeit, selection of the optimal system requires cellular studies and also the selection must occur according to the severity of the damage and the rate of repair.