An Injectable Thermoreversible Hydrogel Loaded with ManNAc for GNE Myopathy

GNE myopathy (GNEM) is a rare adult-onset disease characterized by atrophy and weakness of skeletal muscles caused by mutations in the GNE gene. There is no approved therapy, but clinical trials with supplementation with N-acetylmannosamine (ManNAc) alleviated the GNEM-associated decrease in sialylation. Nevertheless, oral intake of ManNAc has shown low absorption and high gastrointestinal adverse effects. In this regard, the aim of this work was to explore an alternative delivery route for ManNAc directly targeting the muscle tissues. For this we investigated the thermal responses of Pluronic F-127 gel and its muscle adhesion after subcutaneous injection, and the kinetics of release of gelencapsulated ManNAc in phosphate buffered saline medium. The results obtained show the thermal response of Pluronic F-127 represents a unique opportunity for its injectability and function as a drug delivery system directly acting on the muscle surrounding area and showing gel stability in the target area. Moreover, the continuous delivery of ManNAc from the gel (20% Pluronic F-127) was detected during 3h, at a continuous rate and slower than using a simple ManNAc solution. In conclusion, the data obtained in this work supports the possible use of the Pluronic F-127 thermoreversible hydrogel loaded with ManNAc in GNE myopathy therapy and research.