| For this study, PLGA and PLLA fibers loaded with bovine serum albumin were fabricated as controlled drug delivery devices using a wet spinning technique. Fiber with 0%, 5%, and 10% v/v aqueous phase were developed, but each loaded fiber contained the same wt% BSA. The release kinetics of the PLGA fibers appears to be dependent on diffusion in initial stages and molecular weight degradation and mass loss in the later stages. The release kinetics of the PLLA fibers is predominantly dependent on diffusion in the initial stages. Cumulative effects of molecular weight degradation appear to lead to a second burst release from the core of the fiber. After the second burst release, the release kinetics appears to be diffusion dependent. BSA release proceeds in a characteristic fashion depending on fabrication conditions and polymer type. The fibers provide promising means for controlled local drug delivery. |
