In vitro degradation of in situ crosslinkable poly(propylene fumarate-co-ethylene glycol)-based macroporous hydrogels

• Main Authors: Behravesh, E., Timmer, M.D., Lemoine, J.J., Liebschner, M.A.K., Mikos, A.G.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anti-freeze; Biomedical engineering; Degradation; Design for experiments; In vitro; Mechanical factors; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Polymers; Testing; Water
• ISSN: 1094-687X; 1558-4615
• DOI: 10.1109/IEMBS.2002.1137081

The effect of crosslinking density and porosity on the degradation of macroporous hydrogels (MPHs) was evaluated in this study. MPHs were synthesized from aqueous solutions of poly(propylene fumarate-co-ethylene glycol) (P(PF-co-EG)) and poly(ethylene glycol)-diacrylate (PEG-DA) with concurrent free-radical initiation and pore formation reactions involving ammonium persulfate (APS), L-ascorbic acid (AH), and sodium bicarbonate (SB). The crosslinking density was controlled by the ratio of P(PF-co-EG):PEG-DA to obtain molecular weights between crosslinks (M/sub c/) of 1000/spl plusmn/100 and 1880/spl plusmn/320 g/mol. Porosity was controlled by sodium bicarbonate and ascorbic acid concentrations and ranged between 78/spl plusmn/2 and 89/spl plusmn/3%. In vitro degradation was carried out in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) at 37/spl deg/C and a pH of 7.4. MPHs degradation was assessed at 0, 2, 4, 8, and 12-weeks by evaluating the mass loss, volume change, elastic modulus under confined compression, and porosity via /spl mu/CT. Both Mc and porosity had a significant effect on the modulus at the initial time-point. The Mc had the greatest effect on the degradation of these MPHs with percent mass loss up to 62/spl plusmn/8% after 12 weeks.