Synthesis and Characterization of Biodegradable Networks Providing Saturated-Solution Prolonged Delivery

Crosslinking of Polylactide by High Energy Irradiation and Photo-Curing

Polylactide (PLA) is presently the most studied bioderived polymer because, in addition to its established position as a material for biomedical applications, it can replace mass production plastics from petroleum. However, some drawbacks of polylactide such as insufficient mechanical properties at a higher temperature and poor shape stability have to be overcome. One of the methods of mechanical and thermal properties modification is crosslinking which can be achieved by different approaches, both at the stage of PLA-based materials synthesis and by physical modification of neat polylactide. This review covers PLA crosslinking by applying different types of irradiation, i.e., high energy electron beam or gamma irradiation and UV light which enables curing at mild conditions. In the last section, selected examples of biomedical applications as well as applications for packaging and daily-use items are presented in order to visualize how a variety of materials can be obtained using specific methods.

Biodegradable star-shaped polycyclic ester elastomers: Preparation, degradability, protein release, and biocompatibility in vitro

Effective local delivery methods for sustained and stable release of protein drugs are urgently needed. Biodegradable elastomers based on star-shaped polycyclic esters have received attention for their drug-loading and drug-release kinetics. However, the long degradation periods resulting from their strong lipophilicity greatly hinder their application. In this study, we synthesized new cross-linked elastomers based on methyl-acrylic-star-poly(ϵ-caprolactone- co-d,l-lactide) cyclic ester and methyl-bi-acrylic-poly(ϵ-caprolactone-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-ϵ-caprolactone) with different molecular weights; determined their physical, thermal, and morphological characteristics; and studied their in vitro degradation and release of bovine serum albumin and recombinant human interleukin 2. Elastomer hydrophilicity improved with the introduction of methyl-bi-acrylic-poly(ϵ-caprolactone-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-ϵ-caprolactone), and a shorter degradation period (~25 weeks) was achieved. Additionally, the degradation rate could be adjusted by varying the composition of methyl-bi-acrylic-poly(ϵ-caprolactone-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-ϵ-caprolactone) to directly influence the degree of swelling, cross-linking density, and sol content of the elastomer. The controlled rate of bovine serum albumin and recombinant human interleukin 2 release increased with a larger degree of swelling, higher sol content, and lower cross-link density of the elastomers. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide analysis showed good biocompatibility. These results suggest that these new elastomers are potential candidates for carrier materials in controlled, implantable delivery systems for protein drugs and other biomedical applications.

Photo-crosslinked networks prepared from fumaric acid monoethyl ester-functionalized poly(D,L-lactic acid) oligomers and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone for the controlled and sustained release of proteins

Photo-crosslinked networks were prepared from fumaric acid monoethyl ester-functionalized poly(D,L-lactic acid) oligomers and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone. Two model proteins, lysozyme and albumin, were incorporated into the network films as solid particles and their release behavior was studied. By varying the NVP content and macromer molecular weight the degradation behavior and protein release profiles of the prepared networks could be tuned. The more hydrophilic and less densely crosslinked networks released albumin and lysozyme at a faster rate. Although active lysozyme was released from the networks over the complete release period, lysozyme release was often incomplete. This was most likely caused by electrostatic and/or hydrophobic interactions between the protein and the degrading polymer network.