Effects of Gamma Radiation on the Sterility Assurance, Antibacterial Ability, and Biocompatibility of Impregnated Hydrogel Macrosphere Protein and Drug Release

Abstract

Devices and medicines used in the medical field must be sterile. Gamma (γ)-irradiation is commonly used for sterilization because its high rate of penetration ensures uniform sterilization. To confirm that hydrogel macrosphere carriers inherit excellent liquid absorption with no cytotoxicity after γ-irradiation sterilization, investigating whether the physiochemical properties of hydrogel macrospheres differ before and after sterilization is essential. The present study evaluated the influence of the recommended 25-kGy γ-irradiation dose on the physicochemical characteristics and in vitro release of bovine serum albumin and vancomycin (an antibiotic medication) from alginate/gelatin with a w/w ratio of 1/4 crosslinking gel macrospheres. Gel macrosphere properties before and after sterilization were compared according to optical and scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy analysis, the amino residual crosslinking index, water absorption, degradation, sterility assurance, in vitro drug release, antibacterial ability, and cytotoxicity. The crosslinking index was almost unchanged; however, the γ-irradiation caused in situ hydrogel debonding and recrosslinking, which led to a decrease in the water absorption and increase in the degradation rate of the macrospheres after immersion. The release of gel macrospheres carrying vancomycin did not significantly affect antibacterial ability or biocompatibility after γ-irradiation. Accordingly, we conclude that γ-irradiation is suitable for macrospherical formulation.

Biodegradable Hydrogel Beads Combined with Calcium Phosphate Bone Cement for Bone Repair: In Vitro and In Vivo Characterization

“…Our previous research showed that CPC-only developed in-house has the powerful ability to enhance cell attachment and osteogenic differentiation; therefore, the C/0.25 composite cannot positively affect in vitro proliferation and osteogenic function [ 29 ]. Furthermore, in the present study, 2–3 mm gelatin particles were directly added to the CPC matrix to provide an exposed template for creating submeter pores for cells (and not to verify the nucleation sites of nanoapatite), and this may be the cause of the difference in D1 cell culture performance [ 40 ].…”

In Vitro Evaluation of Calcium Phosphate Bone Cement Composite Hydrogel Beads of Cross-Linked Gelatin-Alginate with Gentamicin-Impregnated Porous Scaffold

“…These changes indicate that adding GS to CPC does not affect cell attachment and proliferation. The expansion of the cytoplasm within the porous composite structure of the 3-D network after the hydrogel is degraded is important for subsequent cell proliferation [ 26 , 33 , 37 ].…”

Evaluation of the Grafting Efficacy of Active Biomolecules of Phosphatidylcholine and Type I Collagen on Polyether Ether Ketone: In Vitro and In Vivo

“…After 7 days of culture, apart from the unmodified P group, the production of ALP in other modified groups had increased significantly [ 45 , 46 ]. The surface modification with grafting of active biomolecules remarkably promoted ALP secretion by D1 cells [ 47 , 48 , 49 ]. The amount of ALP produced after 10 days of cell culture reached a peak, indicating that the cells of all groups were undergoing early differentiation.…”