Although
fibroblast growth factor 2 (
FGF2) is a promising agent for treating
brain infarction, current methods of
FGF2 administration are associated with a short circulating half-life. An
FGF2 apatite coating was developed as a slow-releasing drug delivery system (DDS) by forming an
FGF2/
calcium phosphate composite layer.
Hydroxyapatite was coated with high or low doses of
FGF2, denoted as FGF-high and FGF-low. This study investigated the efficacy of the coating as angiogenesis
therapy for
brain infarction. Rats were subjected to permanent occlusion of the middle cerebral artery, an
FGF2 apatite-coated implant was inserted, and the rat brains were removed 2 weeks after implantation. Rats in groups treated with FGF-high had significantly smaller areas of
brain infarction, particularly in the external capsule and the lateral side of the putamen, and better capillary density than rats in groups treated with non-FGF2
apatite-coated implants. Histologic analysis indicated that the new vessels were larger and had thicker walls in the
FGF2 apatite-coated groups than in the non-FGF2 groups. Fluorescence immunohistochemistry of the peri-
infarction region showed that
FGF2 released from
FGF2 apatite-coated implants might have
biological activity. Moreover, fluorescence immunohistochemistry showed that released
FGF2 influenced microglia cells. This new
FGF2 DDS involving an
FGF2 apatite coating can prevent
infarction of the penumbra through the multipotential effects of
FGF2.