Atorvastatin-loaded spray-dried PLGA microparticles for local prevention of intimal hyperplasia: Drug release rate optimization and activity on synthetic vascular smooth muscle cells

Intimal hyperplasia (IH) occurs in vascular bypass grafts and is responsible for their failure. This study aimed to encapsulate high payload of atorvastatin (ATV) efficiently prevent IH, evaluate its activity towards synthetic smooth muscle cells (SMC), implicated IH progression. Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) microparticles (MPs) were formulated by spray-drying with three nominal drug loadings: 10, 20 30% w/w. We have measured the particle load studied release ATV 90 days U-HPLC analysis. Scanning electron microscopy, as well Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy used discuss differences profiles from MPs different loadings. The sterilized γ-rays incubated SMC, obtained pig coronary arteries. evaluated impact on cell migration, proliferation flow cytometry, performed real-time polymerase chain reaction determine effect dedifferentiation markers. particles had loads 76–85% encapsulation efficiencies. Sustained was achieved 10 20% ATV-loaded MPs. comparison before after γ-ray sterilization showed no major influence treatment morphology, size or polymer molecular weight, indicating potential further use vitro vivo. could reverse phenotype SMCs attenuated migratory proliferative capacities.