2010 Volume No 20  pages 431-442
|  Title: In vivo local co-delivery of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-7 and pamidronate via poly-D, L-lactic acid | 
| Author: NYC Yu, A Schindeler, L Peacock, K Mikulec, PA Baldock, AJ Ruys, DG Little | 
|  Address: The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Orthopaedic Research and Biotechnology Unit, Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia | 
| E-mail: nicole.yu at sydney.edu.au or aaron.schindeler at sydney.edu.au | 
|  Key Words: Anabolism, catabolism, bone tissue engineering, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), bisphosphonate
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| Publication date: December 22nd 2010 | 
|  Abstract: The  effects of bone anabolic agents such as bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) have  the potential to be augmented by co-treatment with an anti-catabolic such as a  bisphosphonate. We hypothesised that the effects of bisphosphonates  on BMP-induced bone anabolism would be dose dependent, and we aimed to test  this in a small animal model. Agents were delivered locally using a biodegradable poly-d, l-lactic-acid (PDLLA) polymer  delivery system. Recombinant human BMP-7 (25 µg) was tested with a range of  doses of the bisphosphonate pamidronate (0.02 mg, 0.2 mg and 2 mg local PAM;  0.3 mg/kg and 3 mg/kg thrice-weekly systemic PAM) versus BMP-7 alone. Polymer  pellets were surgically implanted in the hind limbs of female C57BL6/J mice  (8-10 week) and ectopic bone nodules were  harvested at 3 and 8 weeks post-operatively. At 3 weeks, local low dose PAM (0.02 mg)  induced a 102% increase in rhBMP-7 induced bone volume (p<0.01) as measured by miroCT, and this was comparable to  systemic PAM (0.3 mg/kg thrice-weekly). In contrast, local high dose PAM (2 mg)  resulted in a 97% decrease in bone volume (p<0.01). Radiography and histology indicated that the polymer vehicle was still  largely present at 8 weeks indicating inefficient biodegradation. This is the  first study to validate the utility of local co-delivery of BMP/bisphosphonate  via biodegradable polymer and supports the continued refinement of more  advanced bioresorbable delivery systems for clinical applications. | 
| Article download: Pages 
                    431-442 (PDF file) | 

 
     
     
     
    