Hetero-stereocomplexes of D-poly(lactic acid) and the LHRH analogue leuprolide. Application in controlled release

Reversible hetero-stereoselective complexes were obtained by mixing acetonitrile solutions of enantiomeric D-poly(lactic acid) (D-PLA) and leuprolide, an L-configured nonapeptide LHRH analogue. The complex spontaneously aggregated and precipitated in high yields (95%) from acetonitrile solutions, forming uniform, porous microparticles with a mean unweighed particle size of 1.7 μm. The complexation of L-configured peptide occurred only with D-PLA, and not with L-PLA or racemic D,L-PLA. Various factors affecting the release pattern of leuprolide from the hetero-stereocomplexes were investigated. Complexes with D-PLA of low molecular weight (<10,000Da) displayed lower release rates of leuprolide than high molecular weight D-PLA (>50,000Da). Changing the leuprolide: D-PLA ratio from 1:50 to 1:10 (w/w) in the stereocomplex, resulted in a faster release of leuprolide. Similarly, the release rate of leuprolide was twice as fast when adding poly(ethylene glycol) to the acetonitrile complexation solution. Leuprolide was released from most of the formulations in a first order pattern, with only a small burst release during the first 24 h. Addition of water to the complexation solution significantly increased the initial release of the peptide. Low testosterone levels for over 25 days were observed in an in vivo release study of leuprolide from a hetero-stereocomplex formulation, monitoring testosterone levels in the blood of rats after sub cutaneous injection.