Poly(N-vinylformamide)A Drag-Reducing Polymer for Biomedical Applications

• Published in: Biomacromolecules 2006-05, Vol.7 (5), p.1597-1603
• Main Authors: Marhefka, Joie N, Marascalco, Philip J, Chapman, Toby M, Russell, Alan J, Kameneva, Marina V
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amides - chemistry; Animals; Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Biopolymers - chemistry; Blood. Blood coagulation. Reticuloendothelial system; Elasticity; Exact sciences and technology; Formamides - chemistry; Hemodynamics; Kinetics; Medical sciences; Organic polymers; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Physicochemistry of polymers; Polyvinyls - chemistry; Pressure; Properties and characterization; Rats; Solubility; Solution and gel properties; Solutions; Vinyl Compounds - chemistry; Viscosity
• ISSN: 1525-7797; 1526-4602
• DOI: 10.1021/bm060014i

Water-soluble drag-reducing polymers (DRPs) were previously demonstrated to significantly increase blood flow, tissue perfusion, and tissue oxygenation when injected intravenously at nanomolar concentrations in various animal models. Turbulent flow drag-reducing ability was proven to be the most important factor defining the potential of polymers to favorably affect blood circulation. Several DRPs were applied in previous in vivo tests, but the search continues for suitable DRPs for biomedical applications. We demonstrated that poly(N-vinylformamide) (PNVF) with a molecular weight of 4.5 × 106 Da significantly reduced resistance to turbulent flow in a pipe and thus presents a DRP. We also found that the PNVF mechanical degradation is much slower than that of the most commonly used DRP, poly(ethylene oxide). PNVF is known to have low toxicity. Furthermore, our pilot in vivo study showed that PNVF had acceptable biocompatibility and hemodynamic effectiveness and thus could be considered as a DRP candidate for potential clinical use.