Synthesis and characterization of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate/itaconic acid) copolymeric hydrogels

• Published in: Polymer bulletin (Berlin, Germany) Germany), 2009-12, Vol.63 (6), p.837-851
• Main Authors: Tomić, Simonida Ljubisa, Dimitrijević, Suzana I., Marinković, Aleksandar D., Najman, Stevo, Filipović, Jovanka M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acids; Antibiotics; Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical materials; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Complex Fluids and Microfluidics; Controlled release; Copolymerization; Crosslinking; Crosslinking polymerization; Diamines; Drug delivery systems; Drugs; Ethanol; Ethylene glycol; Exact sciences and technology; Free radical polymerization; Free radicals; General pharmacology; Glycol dimethacrylates; Hydrogels; Infections; Itaconic acid; Medical devices; Medical sciences; Organic Chemistry; Organic polymers; Original Paper; Pharmaceutical technology. Pharmaceutical industry; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Physical Chemistry; Physicochemistry of polymers; Physiology; Polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate; Polymer Sciences; Polymers; Potassium; Potassium persulfate; Properties and characterization; Scanning electron microscopy; Soft and Granular Matter; Solution and gel properties; Spectrophotometry; Spectrum analysis; Surgical implants; Transplants & implants
• ISSN: 0170-0839; 1436-2449
• DOI: 10.1007/s00289-009-0123-2

In the present study poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-itaconic acid) (P(HEMA/IA)) hydrogels were synthesized by free-radical copolymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and itaconic acid in order to evaluate as controlled release drug delivery system. All polymerizations were performed in a mixture of water/ethanol with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, as crosslinking agent, potassium persulfate, as initiator, and N, N, N′, N′-tetramethylethylene diamine, as activator. The samples were characterized by FTIR and SEM. Swelling kinetics and antibiotic release studies were performed using gravimetry and UV spectrophotometry, respectively. The antibacterial activity studies were performed bearing in mind that infections are the most common cause of biomaterial implant failure and represent a constant menace to the application of medical implants. The hemocompatibility testing was performed as imperative for medical devices intended for direct or indirect blood exposure. In accordance with the results of antibacterial assessment on gels loaded with antibiotics and hemolytic activity testing these gels exerted good bacterial growth inhibition and favorable hemolytic activity. The release profiles of antibiotics, evaluated in vitro conditions, were correspondent for antibacterial therapeutics. Therefore, it was concluded that (P(HEMA/IA)) gels could be propound for the potential application as drug delivery systems for the controlled release of antibiotics.