Preparation and Characterization of Resorbable Hydrogel Membranes Useful for Tissue Engineering

Abstract

Summary: New synthetic polymeric membranes of lactic acid were prepared with different chemical composition through copolymerization with e-caprolactone and ethylene oxide segments. The prepared copolymers were characterized by hydrogen and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance ( 1 H-NMR and 13 C-NMR) and presented wide range of mechanical properties demonstrated by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMA). Porous membranes were prepared by dissolving the polymer in the presence of salts (NaCl or hydroxyapatite) and/or lower mass poly(ethylene glycol) (Mn ¼ 600 or 1,000 g Á mol À1). The membranes presented new mechanical and biological characteristics and were suitable for cell penetration, anchorage, differentiation and proliferation. Adherence of cultured fibroblasts on membranes indicates biocompatibility.