Characterization of biocompatible hydrogels: Their degradation and environmental impact of the products

presentation

English

Copolymers of lactic and glycolic acid have been recognized as biocompatible, bioresorbable and biodegradable polymers. Nowadays, these compounds are used as controlled drug delivery systems and also as materials for surgical sutures and osteosynthesis. An important property of these polymers is the possibility of modulation of their life-time and/or their physical properties by changing their composition. The importance and application range of these materials have been increasing gradually. Nevertheless, in spite of the fact that the degradation mechanism of these copolymers has been a subject of numerous studies, it is not fully understood till now, because the results of various degradation studies are somewhat unclear and in some cases even controversial. The aim of this study was the elucidation of the degradation pathways and environmental impact of degradation products of special well-defined "smart" amphiphilic, end-functionalized hydrogels prepared from biodegradable and biocompatible monomers gained preferably from renewable sources. The polymers selected for the study were synthesized by co-polymerization of poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and/or poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) grafted with poly(ethylene glycol) (PLGA-g-PEG) and additionally modified by itaconic acid. They were subjected to degradation under strictly controlled conditions and the degradation products were characterized by chromatographic methods (SEC, RP-HPLC), selected spectral methods (IR, NMR, MS) and by toxicity tests.

hydrogel, degradation, environmental impact

ČÁSLAVSKÝ, J., VÁVROVÁ, M., JANČÁŘ, J., VOJTOVÁ, L., NOVÁ, L.

6. 12. 2005

Serbian Chemical Society

Belgrade

86-7132-024-3

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