The use of micro-needles coated with drugs for the control of pain and inflammation

• Grant number: 19/04276-7
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): April 01, 2019
• Status: Discontinued
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Biochemical and Molecular Pharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Henrique Napimoga
• Grantee: Henrique Ballassini Abdalla
• Home Institution: Centro de Pesquisas Odontológicas São Leopoldo Mandic. Faculdade São Leopoldo Mandic (SLMANDIC). Sociedade Regional de Ensino e Saúde S/S Ltda (SRES). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/22334-9 - Use of drug delivery systems for the development and application of anti-inflammatory agents with potential immunomodulatory and neuroprotective effects, AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 19/22645-0 - Evaluation of the Impact of the Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Inhibitor, TPPU, on Production of Specialized Pro-resolving Lipid Mediators as a Pharmacological Approach for the Treatment of Inflammatory Disorders, BE.EP.PD

Abstract

The microneedles-coated is as a promising therapeutic proposal for the release of drugs in the control of inflammatory pain. Developed by Dr. Harvinder Singh Gill, Micro-Nano Medicine Immuno-Engineering Laboratory of the Texas Institute of Technology, Texas Tech University (Lubbock, USA), the microneedle patch contains 57 micro-needles (700 ¼m) allowing the transport of proteins troghout the stratum corneum of the skin and nanoparticles, however, in a minimally invasive, safe and painless way. In a previous study it was demonstrated that the application of tramadol-coated microneedles in the rat TMJ region increased the effectiveness and longevity of the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect of tramadol when released directly into the joint tissues. To demonstrate that the use of drug-coated microneedles has a real clinical applicability in the control of inflammation and pain, in this project we are proposing a longitudinal clinical study in which patients with TMD signs and symptoms classified in group III of the Research Diagnostic Criteria / Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC / TMD), which includes situations of arthralgia, arthritis and arthrosis; will be treated with microneedles coated with tramadol. The development of this study aims to demonstrate the applicability of microneedles for topical application of drugs envisaging a new clinical strategy for the control of inflammatory pain in joints. In addition, based on the experimental results obtained, the potential association of microneedles with the soluble epoxy hydrolase inhibitor (TPPU) will be performed.