Synthesis and characterization of sensitive hydrogels based on semi‐interpenetrated networks of poly[2‐ethyl‐(2‐pyrrolidone) methacrylate] and hyaluronic acid

Abstract

Sensitive hydrogels attract interest due to their soft wet appearance and shape response to environmental variations. The synthesis and characterization of semi-interpenetrated hydrogels obtained by radical-induced polymerization of 2-ethyl-(2-pyrrolidone)methacrylate (EPM) in the presence of different concentrations of hyaluronic acid (HA) using N,N'-methylene-bisacrylamide or triethylene glycol dimethacrylate as crosslinker, followed by freeze-drying, are described. Polymeric systems were characterized by NMR, FTIR, SEM, TGA, and DMA. PEPMHA hydrogels' mechanical properties and swelling were found to be intimately related to HA concentration and crosslinker. The swelling response was assessed for temperature and pH variation in order to study the behavior of the hydrogels. We found that the presence of HA in PEPM polymeric systems induced a sensitivity to pH variation rather than temperature. Finally, the biocompatibility profile of the hydrogels was evaluated, using mesenchymal stem cells. Cell adhesion and proliferation results revealed the non-cytotoxicity of the systems. We estimate that PEPMHA hydrogels can be used for applications in tissue engineering and for the controlled release of bioactive compounds.

Poly(2-ethyl-(2-pyrrolidone) methacrylate) and hyaluronic acid–based hydrogels for the engineering of a cartilage-like tissue using bovine articular chondrocytes

“…Moreover, positive effects of HA were observed on both the swelling ratios as well as the reinforcement of the semi-IPNs, with an increase of their viscoelastic behaviour, supporting their appropriateness for other TE applications. 35,41 The values found for the elastic modulus were comparable to those described for middle zone of human cartilage (0.9–1.0 MPa). 42 In addition, the hydrogel thickness (2.5 mm) used was within the range of the values encountered for normal articular cartilage.…”

Mineralization of porous hydrogels based on semi-interpenetrated networks of poly[2-ethyl(2-pyrrolidone) methacrylate] and hyaluronic acid in simulated body fluid

“…28 Hybrid semi-interpenetrating networks (semi-IPNs; Figure 1) of synthetic poly-EPM (PEPM) and natural hyaluronic acid (HA) have been considered for different biomedical purposes. 29…”

Mineralized alginate hydrogels using marine carbonates for bone tissue engineering applications

“…Taking advantage of these properties, different strategies have been focused on the development of hydrogels useful for drug release and tissue replacement in a wide variety of biological systems as nucleus pulposus, central nervous system, cartilage and bone (El-Sherbiny & Yacoub, 2013;Gharat et al, 2018;Giordano et al, 2009;Reitmaier et al, 2012). One of the requirements for biomaterials bone integration is bioactivity, defined as the ability of a biomaterial to promote the formation of a hydroxyapatite layer (Magalhaes et al, 2013). Numerous authors have attempted to go a step further and mimic the natural bone mineralization by the incorporation of salt crystals or the nucleation and growth of inorganic minerals inside a polymeric matrix (Douglas Timothy, Pamula, & Leeuwenburgh Sander, 2013).…”