Thermosensitive injectable hydrogels from poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)–dextran aqueous solutions: Thermogelation and drug release properties

Novel injectable thermosensitive hydrogel formulations with improved both water retention (WR) and drug release profile were prepared by adding dextran (DXT) to poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) aqueous solutions as a remedy against the demixing/syneresis phenomenon. The addition of the hydrophilic polysaccharide improved the WR of the hydrogel at 37°C from about 12% in the absence of DXT to about 40–55% out of the initial amount introduced, depending on both PNIPAM and DXT concentrations. Also, the 5-fluorouracil release experiments showed an appreciably reduced “burst effect” for the DXT-containing hydrogels. The shape of the release profiles revealed the presence of two stages, differing each other from the point of view of the drug release rate.     

苦参碱和槐定碱在多刺激响应性水凝胶薄膜电极上的可调控电化学行为及其逻辑门构建

采用苦参碱(Matrine, MT)和槐定碱(Sophoridine, SR)作为电活性药物分子探针, 考察了聚(N-异丙基)丙烯酰胺(PNIPAM)水凝胶薄膜的刺激响应特性; 并通过循环伏安(CV)法和扫描电子显微镜(SEM)研究了PNIPAM在不同外界刺激条件(如温度、 盐浓度和甲醇)下结构的改变. 在25 ℃时, 药物分子MT和SR在玻碳电极上产生较大的氧化峰电流, 随着温度升高至40 ℃, 药物分子探针的氧化峰电流逐渐减小. 考察了不同Na₂SO₄浓度和不同比例甲醇对PNIPAM水凝胶薄膜的影响, 发现MT和SR的氧化峰电流随着Na₂SO₄浓度(00.45 mol/L)和甲醇比例(040%)的升高而减小. 结果表明, MT和SR可作为分子探针研究PNIPAM水凝胶薄膜对环境的三重刺激响应性开关行为, 并可进一步构筑3-输入/2-输出的逻辑门系统.     

Macroporous Poly(Acrylamide) Hydrogels: Swelling and Shrinking Behaviors

Macroporous poly(acrylamide) hydrogels have been synthesized by using poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with three different molecular weights as the pore‐forming agent. Scanning electron microscope graphs reveal that the macroporous network structure of the hydrogels can be adjusted by applying different molecular weights of PEG during the polymerization reaction. The swelling ratios of the PEG‐modified hydrogels were much higher than those for the same type of hydrogel prepared via conventional method. However, the swelling/deswelling ratios of the PEG‐modified hydrogels were affected slightly by the change in the amount of the PEG. Scanning electron microscopy experiments, together with swelling ratio studies, reveal that the PEG‐modified hydrogels are characterized by an open structure with more pores and higher swelling ratio, but lower mechanical strength, compared the conventional hydrogel. PAAm has potential applications in controlled release of macromolecular active agents.     

Synthesis and swelling behavior of comb‐type grafted hydrogels by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization

The comb‐type grafted hydrogels poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐g‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM‐g‐PNIPAM) and poly(acrylic acid)‐g‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PAAc‐g‐PNIPAM) were prepared by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. A macromolecular chain‐transfer agent was prepared first. Then, hydrogels were obtained by a reaction with a comonomer (N‐isopropylacrylamide or acrylic acid) in the presence of N,N‐methylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinker. The equilibrium swelling ratios and the swelling and deswelling kinetics of PNIPAM‐g‐PNIPAM were measured. The effects of the chain length and amount on the swelling behavior were investigated. The deswelling mechanism was illustrated. Meanwhile, the PAAc‐g‐PNIPAM hydrogel was used to confirm the versatility of this novel method. It was prepared in an alcoholic medium, whereas hydrogen‐bonding complexes formed in 1,4‐dioxane, which was chosen as the reaction medium for the PNIPAM‐g‐PNIPAM hydrogel. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 2615–2624, 2005     

聚乙二醇相对分子质量及用量对温敏型PCL-PEG-PCL水凝胶的制备及释药性研究

采用开环聚合法制备PCL-PEG-PCL共聚物,并将其制成温敏性水凝胶,探究了PEG(聚乙二醇)相对分子质量及质量浓度对水凝胶温敏性的影响.水凝胶的相变温度由翻转小瓶法测定.通过FTIR、热分析仪和SEM等技术对其组成及结构进行表征.以疏水性姜黄素(Cur)为模型药物,制备出载Cur PCL-PEG-PCL水凝胶,并研究其体外释药行为.FTIR结果表明:实验制备的共聚物中含有PCL和PEG的链段.热分析结果表明:在25℃~65℃内水凝胶存在相变过程.SEM结果表明:水凝胶剖面具有疏松多孔.体外释药结果表明:PCL-PEG-PCL水凝胶对Cur具有缓释作用,释药机理符合Higuchi骨架溶蚀模型.     

Synthesis of the Functional Hydrogels: Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Threaded onto the PEG Backbones Via RAFT

Functional poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) hydrogels were prepared by reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of NIPAM in the presence of four-arm poly(ethylene glycol) (4A-PEG) as backbone and 4-cyanopentanoic acid dithiobenzoate functional α -cyclodextrin threaded onto the PEG as chain transfer reagent (CTA).The structure of the hydrogels was characterized in detail with FTIR techniques. The analytical results demonstrated that α -cyclodextrin remains in as-obtained hydrogels. The swelling behavior was investigated and the functional hydrogels (functional gels) showed accelerated shrinking kinetics and higher swelling ratio comparing with conventional hydrogel (CG). It could be attributed to the presence of dangling chains. The hydrogel exhibited rapid swelling and deswelling kinetics. In principle, the hydrogel might find a number of applications including an on-off system and drug delivery systems.     

Preparation and characterization of macroporous poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels for the controlled release of proteins

Macroporous, temperature‐sensitive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) hydrogels were synthesized with poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEGs; molecular weight = 2000–6000) as the pore‐forming agents. The influence of the molecular weight and PEG content on the responsive kinetics of these macroporous hydrogels was investigated. The PEG‐modified PNIPAAm hydrogels were characterized by the swelling ratio, deswelling–reswelling kinetics, Fourier transform infrared, and differential scanning calorimetry. The morphology of these hydrogels was analyzed with scanning electron microscopy. The prepared macroporous hydrogels exhibited some unique properties in comparison with the gels with low molecular weight PEGs (molecular weight < 2000) as the pore‐forming agents. In addition, a preliminary study on the controlled release of bovine serum albumin from these macroporous hydrogels was carried out. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 152–159, 2003     

Study on intelligent deformation characteristics of temperature‐driven hydrogel actuators prepared via molding and 3D printing

The poly‐N‐isopropylacrylamide intelligent hydrogel actuators with high mechanical strength and efficient temperature responses were successfully prepared via molding and three‐dimensional (3D) printing. Addition of nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) effectively improved the crosslinking density and viscosity of hydrogels, enhancing the mechanical strength and 3D printable property. Based on sufficient polymerization on interface, bilayer hydrogel actuator prepared via molding exhibited efficient bending/unbending deformations. Bending degree in poikilothermy temperature ranging from 25°C to 55°C was higher than that in constant temperature of 55°C. Inspired by the rheology regulation of NFC, 3D printing intelligent hydrogel actuators with NFC content of 10 mg/mL were polymerized efficiently by ultraviolet irradiation. Self‐driven deformation characteristics of 3D printed intelligent hydrogels actuators were regulated via printing parameters including angle, width and length ratio and filling rate of the layered network structure model. The prepared hydrogel material system with molding and 3D printing ability provided material candidates for design and preparation of intelligent soft actuator and robot.     

Self-healing mineralized hydrogel scaffolds for stretch-triggered dye release

Hydrogels, with self-healing properties that can self-repair spontaneously when subjected to mechanical stress, are gaining popularity in the biomedical field. Numerous attempts have been made to create distinctive hydrogels with self-healing properties, along with stimuli-responsiveness and biocompatibility. Several techniques exist for fabricating hydrogels, including physical and chemical crosslinking via the creation of covalent bonds, and so on. Here, we prepared self-healing, stimuli-responsive, mineralized hydrogel by simply dissolving Kollidon 90-F, sodium chloride (NaCl), and potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃) in an aqueous solution. The dissociated CO₃²⁻ replaces the water molecules from the Kollidon 90-F polymer backbone and facilitates the cross-linking of the polymer chain, resulting in hydrogel formation. In addition, the in-situ produced sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) strengthens the hydrogel network. We optimized the mineralized hydrogels by taking various metal salts and different concentrations of K₂CO₃. The optimized hydrogel showed good stability over a period of time, was able to maintain viscoelastic properties, possessed good self-healing ability, and showed a shape retention ability. The shear-thinning property demonstrated by the optimized hydrogel could open a ray of hope in the bioprinting or 3D printing industry. Further, the stretch-responsive release of dye from the Self-healing mineralized hydrogel (SHMH) matrix confirms the mechanoresponsive behavior of the hydrogel. Overall, the findings could be utilized in the future to fabricate a stable drug delivery system that can autonomously release the drug molecules when stretched by daily processes such as joint movements.     

多孔聚乙烯醇缩甲醛凝胶力学行为对含水量变化的敏感性

通过成孔剂法制备具有连通孔结构的聚乙烯醇缩甲醛凝胶(PVFM) ,研究其在吸水膨胀脱水收缩过程中力学行为对含水量变化的响应性.实验表明多孔PVFM具有很快的吸水 脱水速度,吸水80s内就可达到最大的平衡膨胀应力,干燥4h内其膨胀应力可降低95 % ;同时还发现多孔PVFM在脱水干燥过程中出现明显的体积回弹和膨胀应力回复现象,而且压缩模量在一定范围内随含水量的减少反而降低,分析表明这些与PVFM的多孔结构、弹性网络的状态有密切关系.     

Physicochemical characterization and drug release properties of PDMAEMA/OSA Semi‐IPN hydrogels with microporous structure

A new poly(2‐(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate)/oxidized sodium alginate (PDMAEMA) semi‐interpenetrating network (Semi‐IPN) hydrogel with microporous structure was prepared by using PDMAEMA microgels as an additive during the polymerization/crosslinking process. The interior morphology characterized by scanning electron microscopy showed the Semi‐IPN hydrogels have different pore sizes by changing the amount of microgels. The hydrogels were also characterized by using Fourier transform infrared and DSC. The swelling behaviors of hydrogels indicated that the hydrogels have excellent pH and temperature sensitivity. Bovine serum albumin was entrapped in the hydrogels and the in vitro drug release profiles were established in different buffer solutions at various temperatures. The release behaviors of the model drug were dependent on the pore size of the hydrogels and environmental temperature/pH, which suggested that these materials have potential application as intelligent drug carriers. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

仿生各向异性聚(N-异丙基丙烯酰胺)水凝胶智能响应驱动器的研究进展

各向异性水凝胶在外界的响应刺激下可以具有不同的反应机制与驱动过程. 本文综述了近期基于PNIPAM水凝胶智能响应驱动器的设计方法, 总结了多种各向异性结构对驱动性能的影响, 并对该领域所面临的挑战进行了讨论.     

Thermoresponsive drug controlled release from chitosan‐based hydrogel embedded with poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) nanogels

A facile synthetic strategy was developed for the preparation of thermoresponsive nanocomposite hydrogels comprising crosslinked chitosan (CS) networks and poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) [p(NIPAAm)] nanogels. First, thermoresponsive p(NIPAAm) nanogels were synthesized via emulsion polymerization. The p(NIPAAm) nanogels were introduced into methacrylamide CS (MC) solution and the free‐radical initiated crosslinking reaction of MC produced nanogel‐embedded hydrogels. The last step involves the loading of the antibacterial model drug levofloxacin (LFX) into the prepared nanocomposite hydrogels by allowing the preformed hydrogels to swell to equilibrium in the drug's aqueous solution. The integration of p(NIPAAm) nanogel into CS networks facilitates thermoresponsive release of LFX with an enhancement of the drug‐loading capacity within the hydrogel. Notably, thermoresponsive drug‐release was achieved without unwarranted modification of the hydrogel's dimension and shape, although an increase in temperature caused the collapse of the p(NIPAAm) nanogels. The thermoresponsive property of the investigated nanocomposite hydrogel is beneficial and may offer broad opportunities for drug temperature‐triggered release for clinical applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 1907–1914     

Novel calcium-alginate capsules with aqueous core and thermo-responsive membrane

Novel calcium-alginate (Ca-alginate) capsules with aqueous core and thermo-responsive membrane are successfully prepared by introducing a co-extrusion minifluidic approach, and the thermo-responsive gating characteristics of Ca-alginate capsule membranes embedded with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) microspheres are investigated systematically. The experimental results show that the prepared Ca-alginate capsules are highly monodisperse, and the average diameter and membrane thickness of Ca-alginate capsules are about 2.96 mm and 0.11 mm respectively. The Ca-alginate capsule membranes exhibit desired thermo-responsive gating property. With increasing the content of PNIPAM microspheres embedded in the Ca-alginate capsule membranes, the thermo-responsive gating coefficient of the capsule membranes increases simply. When solute molecules diffuse through the capsule membrane, the thermo-responsive gating coefficient is significantly affected by the molecular weight of solute molecules.     

pH敏感型聚谷氨酸/透明质酸基互穿网络医用水凝胶的制备及表征

生物材料是推动生物医学领域日新月异变化的基石,医用水凝胶作为重要成员,近年来表现出蓬勃发展的态势。文章介绍了一种新型可注射的、以生物相容性方法交联的聚谷氨酸(Poly (γ-glutamic acid), PGA)/透明质酸(Hyaluronic acid, HA)复合水凝胶。研究首先采用EDC/NHS方法合成了酪胺(Tyramine,Ty)接枝聚谷氨酸的PGA-Ty前体大分子及半胱胺(Cysteamine, CA)修饰透明质酸的HA-CA前体大分子。两种前体大分子的结构分别使用核磁和红外进行了确证。得到的两种前体大分子在低浓度双氧水和辣根过氧化物酶(Horseradish Peroxidase, HRP)的共同作用下,于水相中交联得到互穿网络(Interpenetrating Network, IPN)水凝胶。实验对IPN水凝胶样品的系列性能,如平衡含水量、内部形貌、酶降解速率以及力学性能等进行了测试,并选取了盐酸四环素为药物模型对凝胶的体外药物释放行为、体外抗菌效果进行了测评。凝胶材料的细胞毒性及凝胶支架对细胞3D培养的效果证明其生物相容性优异,体外包埋的细胞经72h培养,未表现出明显细胞毒性。系列数据证明,该种水凝胶可以设计成为pH敏感型的药物控释载体材料,并因其良好的生物相容性,也有作为细胞支架、创伤辅料等其它生物医用材料的潜力。     

Design of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel as a controlled-release vehicle for rectal administration of dl-propranolol-HCl and atenolol

Preparations of beta-blockers, propranolol-HCl and atenolol, in poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel were designed for the therapeutic treatment of hypertension by transrectal delivery. In vitro release characteristics and plasma drug concentration profiles after rectal administration in rats and dogs were examined. The PVA hydrogels containing beta-blockers were prepared by a low-temperature crystallization method. The release of beta-blockers from hydrogel preparations was consistent with Fickian diffusion (Higuchi model); the drug release versus the square root of release time profile gave a straight line over 60% of the total release process. The release of beta-blockers from hydrogel preparations increased at higher concentrations of PVA in the hydrogel preparations and was not affected by the pH of hydrogel preparations. Plasma concentrations of beta-blockers after rectal administration of hydrogels were higher than those after administration of suppositories (Witepsol H-15) in rats and dogs. The drug plasma concentrations increased at higher concentrations of PVA in hydrogel preparations. In the case of propranolol, which is a hepatic high-clearance drug, area under the blood concentration curve, 0-8 h after rectal administration of a hydrogel preparation (20% w/w PVA, pH 7.0) was 2.16 times and 5.26 times higher than those obtained with Witepsol H-15 suppository and oral administration, respectively. Rectal administration with PVA hydrogels is a favorable route for a hepatic high-clearance drug such as propranolol.     

Sonochemical Degradation of Gelatin Methacryloyl to Control Viscoelasticity for Inkjet Bioprinting

Inkjet printing enables the mimicry of the microenvironment of natural complex tissues by patterning cells and hydrogels at a high resolution. However, the polymer content of an inkjet-printable bioink is limited as it leads to strong viscoelasticity in the inkjet nozzle. Here it is demonstrated that sonochemical treatment controls the viscoelasticity of a gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) based bioink by shortening the length of polymer chains without causing chemical destruction of the methacryloyl groups. The rheological properties of treated GelMA inks are evaluated by a piezo-axial vibrator over a wide range of frequencies between 10 and 10 000 Hz. This approach enables to effectively increase the maximum printable polymer concentration from 3% to 10%. Then it is studied how the sonochemical treatment effectively controls the microstructure and mechanical properties of GelMA hydrogel constructs after crosslinking while maintaining its fluid properties within the printable range. The control of mechanical properties of GelMA hydrogels can lead fibroblasts more spreading on the hydrogels. A 3D cell-laden multilayered hydrogel constructs containing layers with different physical properties is fabrictated by using high-resolution inkjet printing. The sonochemical treatment delivers a new path to inkjet bioprinting to build microarchitectures with various physical properties by expanding the range of applicable bioinks.     

Organic–inorganic hybrid hydrogels involving poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane: Preparation and rapid thermoresponsive properties

3‐Acryloxypropylhepta(3,3,3‐trifluoropropyl) polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) was synthesized and used as a modifier to improve the thermal response rates of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) hydrogel. The radical copolymerization among N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), the POSS macromer and N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide was performed to prepare the POSS‐containing PNIPAM cross‐linked networks. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the POSS‐containing PNIPAM networks displayed the enhanced glass transition temperatures (T_g's) and improved thermal stability when compared with plain PNIPAM network. The POSS‐containing PNIPAM hydrogels exhibited temperature‐responsive behavior as the plain PNIPAM hydrogels. It is noted that with the moderate contents of POSS, the POSS‐containing PNIPAM hydrogels displayed much faster response rates in terms of swelling, deswelling, and re‐swelling experiments than plain PNIPAM hydrogel. The improved thermoresponsive properties of hydrogels have been interpreted on the basis of the formation of the specific microphase‐separated morphology in the hydrogels, that is, the POSS structural units in the hybrid hydrogels were self‐assembled into the highly hydrophobic nanodomains, which behave as the microporogens and promote the contact of PNIPAM chains and water. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 504–516, 2009     

Synthesis and properties of biodegradable thermo- and pH-sensitive poly[(N-isopropylacrylamide)-co-(methacrylic acid)] hydrogels

Thermo- and pH-sensitive hydrogels were synthesized via the copolymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) and methacrylic acid (MAA) crosslinked with a biodegradable PEG-co-PCL macromolecular crosslinker under UV irradiation. Swelling measurements showed that temperature and pH sensitivity of the resultant hydrogels were highly dependent on the composition of the hydrogels as well as temperature and pH of the local medium. The pH and temperature dependence of the hydrogels displayed good reversibility. The hydrolytic degradation studies showed that the degradation rate of the hydrogels increased with the increasing content of MAA introduced in the hydrogels in pH 7.4 PBS solutions at 37 °C. The study on the release of BSA indicated that the release rate of BSA was higher at pH 7.4 than at pH 2.0, and increased with the increase of the MAA content in the hydrogels in pH 7.4 PBS solutions at 37 °C. These hydrogel materials are desirable for potential applications as smart drug delivery systems.     

温敏性纤维素/聚N-异丙基丙烯酰胺复合水凝胶的固体核磁共振表征及动力学研究

利用半互穿网络方法将具有温度响应的高分子聚N-异丙基丙烯酰胺(PNIPAM)与天然纤维素复合得到温敏性水凝胶. 通过固体核磁共振的 ¹H, ¹³C CP/MAS(交叉极化/魔角旋转)和QCP(定量交叉极化)等实验手段对复合凝胶的结构进行了定性及定量研究, 并利用固体静态变温核磁共振实验和偶极滤波-自旋扩散实验研究了复合凝胶中PNIPAM分子链段的动力学行为.