Microencapsulation of dissociable human growth hormone aggregates within poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) microparticles for sustained release

For the sustained release formulation of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH), dissociable rhGH aggregates were microencapsulated within poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles. rhGH aggregates were first produced by adding a small volume of aqueous rhGH solution into a partially water miscible organic solvent phase (ethyl acetate, EtAc) containing PLGA. These rhGH aggregates were then microencapsulated within PLGA polymer phase by extracting EtAc into an aqueous phase pre-saturated with EtAc. Release profiles of rhGH from these microparticles were greatly affected by changing the volume of incubation medium. The released rhGH species consisted of mostly monomeric form having a correct conformation. This study reveals that sustained rhGH release could be achieved by microencapsulating reversibly dissociable protein aggregates within biodegradable polymers.