RT Journal Article
T1 Atorvastatin-Eluting Contact Lenses: Effects of Molecular Imprinting and Sterilization on Drug Loading and Release
A1 Pereira da Mota, Ana Filipa
A1 Vivero López, María
A1 Topete, Ana
A1 Serro, Ana Paula
A1 Concheiro Nine, Ángel Joaquín
A1 Álvarez Lorenzo, Carmen
K1 Atorvastatin
K1 Bioinspired contact lenses
K1 Molecularly imprinted hydrogels
K1 Computational modeling
K1 Sterilization
K1 Controlled drug release
AB Statins are receiving increasing attention in the ophthalmic field. Their activity as 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl–CoA (HMG–CoA) reductase inhibitors is clinically used to regulate cholesterol levels and leads to pleiotropic effects, which may help in the management of diabetes-related ocular pathologies. This work aims to design bioinspired contact lenses (CLs) with an affinity for atorvastatin by mimicking the active site of HMG–CoA reductase. Sets of imprinted and nonimprinted 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) hydrogels were synthesized, varying the contents in functional monomers that bear chemical groups that resemble those present in HMG–CoA reductase, namely, ethylene glycol phenyl ether methacrylate (EGPEM), 2-aminoethyl methacrylate hydrochloride (AEMA), and N-(3-aminopropyl) methacrylamide hydrochloride (APMA). The hydrogels were characterized in terms of suitability as CLs (solvent uptake, light transmission, mechanical properties, and biocompatibility) and capability to load and release atorvastatin. Three sterilization protocols (steam heat, gamma radiation, and high hydrostatic pressure) were implemented and their effects on hydrogel properties were evaluated. Copolymerization of AEMA and, particularly, APMA endowed the hydrogels with a high affinity for atorvastatin (up to 11 mg/g; KN/W > 200). Only high hydrostatic pressure sterilization preserved atorvastatin stability and hydrogel performance. Permeability studies through the porcine cornea and sclera tissues revealed that the amount of atorvastatin accumulated in the cornea and sclera could be effective to treat ocular surface diseases
PB MDPI
YR 2021
FD 2021
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10347/26244
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10347/26244
LA eng
NO Pharmaceutics 2021, 13(5), 606; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13050606
NO This project is funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions grant agreement N° 813440 (ORBITAL–Ocular Research by Integrated Training and Learning). The work was also partially supported by MINECO [SAF2017-83118-R], Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI) Spain, Xunta de Galicia [ED431C 2020/17], FEDER and by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal) [UIDB/00100/2020]. M. Vivero-Lopez acknowledges Xunta de Galicia (Consellería de Cultura, Educación e Ordenación Universitaria) for a predoctoral research fellowship [ED481A-2019/120]
DS Minerva
RD 24 abr 2026