Copolymer-based delivery system for the treatment of ocular surface and cornea diseases

Biomaterials play a significant role in the biomedical field, with promising applications also in ophthalmology, offering the possibility of modulating the release of bioactive molecules and making the treatment of numerous ocular surface diseases more effective. This study focused on analysing the loading and release capacities of different copolyesters, using a protein present in the tear, lysozyme, as a model molecule. The materials were initially immersed for 24 h in a solution with a physiological concentration of lysozyme (3 mg/mL). Absorption and release capacity was assessed in saline solution by monitoring lysozyme concentration over time with absorbance measurements at 280 nm. The structure of the protein was instead monitored by circular dichroism analysis. The results showed a gradual time-dependent release of the protein, which kept its structure intact during the analyses. The biomaterials used are therefore promising candidates for the controlled release of active molecules for the treatment of ocular diseases with a targeted approach.