| A female controlled drug delivery system (FcDDS) containing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as a microbicide, ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) as a synergistic microbicide, and lactic acid as a pH modulator was developed as an intravaginal barrier device against sexually transmitted diseases. The host response of vagina to FcDDS was evaluated using the biocompatibility tests on HeLa and NIH: Ovcar-3 epithelial cells. Gel electrophoresis, imunohistochemistry, western blot analysis and RT-PCR assays were also performed to elucidate the effects of EDTA on the expression of particular proteins of interest.; The results of the cell viability test showed no significant difference in viability of cells upon exposure to EDTA at concentrations less than 0.035% that was reported to exert spermicidal activity. EDTA at concentrations less than 0.035% did not cause any cytotoxicity. The immunohistochemistry study demonstrated that EDTA activated MAP kinases (ERK and JNK) in the vagina mucosa through the modulation of the calcium gradient. The results of RT-PCR analysis revealed that EDTA induced the expression of a 67-kDa protein in HeLa cells, which was identified as elastin binding protein.; This work has demonstrated that FcDDS containing EDTA is biocompatible and safe as an intravaginal barrier device. |
