Biodegradable polymer–silica xerogel composite microspheres for controlled release of gentamicin

Single and double layered composite microspheres were prepared by encapsulating gentamicin-loaded silica xerogels with biodegradable PLGA polymers (poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide)). The in vitro drug release properties of both the composite microspheres were investigated. The single layered composite microspheres showed a high initial burst, followed by two sustained release stages lasting for ∼6 weeks. The two sustained release stages of the single layered composite microspheres could be attributed to the swelling and bulk erosion of the polymer encapsulations, respectively. In comparison with the single layered composite microspheres, the double layered composite microspheres realized a much reduced initial burst together with three sustained release stages. The whole release period of the double layered composite microspheres could last more than 9 weeks. These distinct behaviors make the double layered composite microspheres promising as a new drug release material for localized drug delivery applications. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006