Biocompatibility of lipid-protein-sugar particles containing bupivacaine in the epineurium

Novel lipid-protein-sugar particles (LPSPs) are potentially biocompatible because they are composed of naturally occurring ingredients and their expected tissue dwell times are relatively short. In this research, we used histological sections to study tissue reaction to LPSPs (4.4-mum median diameter) when used for sciatic nerve block in the rat. As a reference, we compared LPSPs to 60-mum median diameter poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) microspheres (110,000 MW PLGA, glycolic/lactic ratio 65:35). Four days after injection, both particle types produced acute inflammation within the confines of the injectate, inflammation in adjacent tissues, and myotoxicity. Bupivacaine-free particles did not display myotoxicity, and inflammation in adjacent tissues was reduced. At 2 weeks, inflammation from LPSPs had almost disappeared, whereas PLGA microspheres had a foreign-body giant cell reaction until at least 8 weeks after injection. In contrast, 3.6-mum median diameter, 20,000-MW PLGA microspheres produced a primarily histiocytic reaction 2 weeks after injection. In summary, the LPSPs and PLGA microspheres studied herein have excellent biocompatibility, but tissue reaction to the former is of much shorter duration. Myotoxicity and inflammation of surrounding tissue is largely attributed to bupivacaine. Foreign-body giant cells may be attributed to particle size rather than a specific reaction to PLGA. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 59: 450-459, 2002.