Properties and hydrolysis of PLGA and PLLA cross-linked with electron beam radiation

One-pot synthesis of liquid photocrosslinkable poly(l-lactide) with terminal triacrylate

We synthesized a poly(l-lactide)-pentaerythritol triacrylate (PETA) polymer modified with acrylic trifunctional groups using a one-pot method based on ring-opening polymerization of l-lactide and PETA. We calculated the molecular weight and structure of PLA-PETA using gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) (1H, 13C, heteronuclear multiple bond correlation [HMBC]) spectroscopy. Photocrosslinking PLA-PETA using the Omnirad 1173 photoinitiator yielded a transparent sample with 91% crosslinkage. The crosslinked sample was analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and thermomechanical analysis (TMA) to determine its thermal properties and thermal expansion coefficient. In vitro cell toxicity tests showed an average cell viability >90%, indicating that the PLA-PETA polymer had good biocompatibility with cells after photocrosslinking.

Effect of E-Beam Irradiation on Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Ester Elastomers Containing Multifunctional Alcohols

The aim of this work was to investigate the thermal and mechanical properties of novel, electron beam-modified ester elastomers containing multifunctional alcohols. Polymers tested in this work consist of two blocks: sebacic acid-butylene glycol block and sebacic acid-sugar alcohol block. Different sugar alcohols were utilized in the polymer synthesis: glycerol, sorbitol, xylitol, erythritol, and mannitol. The polymers have undergone an irradiation procedure. The materials were irradiated with doses of 50 kGy, 100 kGy, and 150 kGy. The expected effect of using ionizing radiation was crosslinking process and improvement of the mechanical properties. Additionally, a beneficial side effect of the irradiation process is sterilization of the affected materials. It is also worth noting that the materials described in this paper do not require either sensitizers or cross-linking agent in order to perform radiation modification. Radiation-modified poly(polyol sebacate-co-butylene sebacate) elastomers have been characterized in respect to the mechanical properties (quasi-static tensile tests), cross-link density, thermal properties (Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)), chemical properties: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and wettability (water contact angle). Poly(polyol sebacate-co-butylene sebacate) preopolymers were characterized with nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Thermal stability of cross-linked materials (directly after synthesis process) was tested with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).

Mechanical properties and osteogenic potential of hydroxyapatite-PLGA-collagen biomaterial for bone regeneration

A bone graft is a complicated structure that provides mechanical support and biological signals that regulate bone growth, reconstruction, and repair. A single-component material is inadequate to provide a suitable combination of structural support and biological stimuli to promote bone regeneration. Multicomponent composite biomaterials lack adequate bonding among the components to prevent phase separation after implantation. We have previously developed a novel multistep polymerization and fabrication process to construct a nano-hydroxyapatite-poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide)-collagen biomaterial (abbreviated nHAP-PLGA-collagen) with the components covalently bonded to each other. In the present study, the mechanical properties and osteogenic potential of nHAP-PLGA-collagen are characterized to assess the material's suitability to support bone regeneration. nHAP-PLGA-collagen films exhibit tensile strength very close to that of human cancellous bone. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are viable on 2D nHAP-PLGA-collagen films with a sevenfold increase in cell population after 7 days of culture. Over 5 weeks of culture, hMSCs deposit matrix and mineral consistent with osteogenic differentiation and bone formation. As a result of matrix deposition, nHAP-PLGA-collagen films cultured with hMSCs exhibit 48% higher tensile strength and fivefold higher moduli compared to nHAP-PLGA-collagen films without cells. More interestingly, secretion of matrix and minerals by differentiated hMSCs cultured on the nHAP-PLGA-collagen films for 5 weeks mitigates the loss of mechanical strength that accompanies PLGA hydrolysis.

Stability of a salicylate-based poly(anhydride-ester) to electron beam and gamma radiation

The effect of electron beam and gamma radiation on the physicochemical properties of a salicylate-based poly(anhydride-ester) was studied by exposing polymers to 0 (control), 25 and 50 kGy. After radiation exposure, salicylic acid release in vitro was monitored to assess any changes in drug release profiles. Molecular weight, glass transition temperature and decomposition temperature were evaluated for polymer chain scission and/or crosslinking as well as changes in thermal properties. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopies were also used to determine polymer degradation and/or chain scission. In vitro cell studies were performed to identify cytocompatibility following radiation exposure. These studies demonstrate that the physicochemical properties of the polymer are not substantially affected by exposure to electron beam and gamma radiation.