Degradation Behavior of the Hydrogel Poly(vinyl alcohol)-graft-Poly[(rac-lactide)-co-Glycolide)] under Different Conditions

Summary: The hydrogel poly(vinyl alcohol)-graft-poly[(rac-lactide)-co-glycolide)] [PVA-g-P(LGA)], containing nine ester groups in the polyester grafts (lactide:glycolide ratio 50:50) grafted onto PVA to an extent of 13%, and crosslinked via terminal acrylate groups was subjected to degradation experiments in phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.4) at room temperature and at 37 °C during 8 weeks. In the course of degradation, the properties of the hydrogel change as a result of the decrease of the polyester content. The increased temperature has a significant influence on the degradation rate but its amount varies with the methods applied. Thus, a large drop of the elastic modulus takes place in samples degraded at 37 °C with time and relative to RT. Thermal and IR analysis show changes while the initial difference between two sets of samples in contact angle is reduced with time.     

Ring-opening precipitation polymerization of poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) in supercritical carbon dioxide

The biodegradable polymer poly(D ,L -lactide-co-glycolide) was synthesized by a ring-opening precipitation polymerization in supercritical CO₂ using stannous octoate as initiator. Following polymerization, unreacted monomer was removed by supercritical fluid extraction and the polymer was recovered as a porous solid upon depressurization of the CO₂ phase. The lactide to glycolide ratio of the polymer was determined to be 70.7 : 29.3 using ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The weight-average molecular weight of the product was measured to be 3 500, with a polydispersity of 1.4 using gel permeation chromatography.     

Degradation Mechanisms of Biodegradable Poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide)1000 Diacrylate Network as Studied by Proton Solid-State Flow NMR Relaxometry

Summary: Degradation mechanisms of biodegradable photo-polymerised poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide)1000 diacrylate {[(DL-LA/GA)DA]} matrices or films were studied by proton solid-state NMR relaxometry. A flow NMR unit cell was developed for this purpose. The (DL-LA/GA)DA-network was degraded in PBS buffer solution of pH = 7.4. A real-time proton NMR method provided information about the staged break down of the network during continuous circulation of the buffer solution through the NMR tube. The current study shows that degradation of the network proceeds in three stages: 1 - extraction of a sol fraction that causes substantial immobilization of the material, 2 - scissions of network chains producing network defects without formation of extractable products, and 3 – finally, chain scissions that cause formation of a sol fraction and complete degradation of the material. It was shown that the [(DL-LA/GA)DA-network was composed of rigid and viscoelastic domains on all stages of degradation. This heterogeneity could be due to heterogeneous spatial distribution of network junctions in the initial network and/or nano-scale phase separation of polyacrylate chains that form multifunctional network junctions and poly(lactide-co-glicolide) network chains. A combination of bulk and surface erosion both on nano- and macroscopic scales could explain the observed degradation mechanisms. It is shown that knowledge of weight loss upon hydrolytic degradation is not sufficient for understanding degradation mechanisms in the relation to functional properties of this type of hydrogels.     

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.     

Synthesis and characterization of serial random and block-copolymers based on lactide and glycolide

The objective of this study is to investigate the properties of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) with different composition ratios and PLGA-PEG-PLGA copolymers synthesized by ring-opening polymerization method. Their compositions, crystallization properties, thermal and degradation behaviors, hydrophilicity and biocompatibility were studied. Our results demonstrate that poly(lactide-co-glycolide) with a 90% lactide and PLGA-PEG-PLGA show some crystallization properties. While as the decrease of lactide content in polymers, poly(lactide-co-glycolide) become amorphous, whereas, their hydrophilicity have been improved on the contrary. Compared to poly(lactide-co-glycolide), the PLGA-PEG-PLGA copolymer has a better hydrophilicity for the existence of polyethylene glycol block. Furthermore, both these polymers display easy controlled degradation properties and good cell compatibility.     

In vitro degradation of porous poly(l-lactide-co-glycolide)/β-tricalcium phosphate (PLGA/β-TCP) scaffolds under dynamic and static conditions

In vitro degradation of porous poly(l-lactide-co-glycolide)/β-tricalcium phosphate (PLGA/β-TCP) scaffolds was studied by incubating the samples in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at 37 °C and pH 7.4 under dynamic loading with respect to static conditions for 12 weeks. Under dynamic conditions, acidity of PBS was alleviated by the better solution circulation, and water absorption of the scaffolds increased more than that under static conditions in the first 8 weeks. Changes in mass, height, diameter, relative molecular mass and its distribution also happened more remarkably under dynamic conditions. Moreover, obvious cracks and a larger amount of β-TCP particles were observed on the wall of the scaffolds after degradation for 12 weeks under dynamic loading. Compressive modulus and strength showed an increase from the beginning to the 10th week but were lower after then. Results showed that degradation of PLGA/β-TCP scaffolds under dynamic conditions exhibited a significantly faster rate than that under static conditions.     

A Comprehensive Investigation of the Structural,Thermal, and Biological Properties of Fully Randomized Biomedical Polyesters Synthesized with a Nontoxic Bismuth(III) Catalyst

Aliphatic polyesters are the most common type of biodegradable synthetic polymer used in many pharmaceutical applications nowadays. This report describes the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of l-lactide (L-LA), ε-caprolactone (CL) and glycolide (Gly) in the presence of a simple, inexpensive and convenient PEG200-BiOct₃ catalytic system. The chemical structures of the obtained copolymers were characterized by ¹H- or ¹³C-NMR. GPC was used to estimate the average molecular weight of the resulting polyesters, whereas TGA and DSC were employed to determine the thermal properties of polymeric products. The effects of temperature, reaction time, and catalyst content on the polymerization process were investigated. Importantly, the obtained polyesters were not cyto- or genotoxic, which is significant in terms of the potential for medical applications (e.g., for drug delivery systems). As a result of transesterification, the copolymers obtained had a random distribution of comonomer units along the polymer chain. The thermal analysis indicated an amorphous nature of poly(l-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLACL) and a low degree of crystallinity of poly(ε-caprolactone-co-glycolide) (PCLGA, X_c = 15.1%), in accordance with the microstructures with random distributions and short sequences of comonomer units (l = 1.02–2.82). Significant differences in reactivity were observed among comonomers, confirming preferential ring opening of L-LA during the copolymerization process.     

Electron-beam treatment of poly(lactic acid) to control degradation profiles

Bioresorbable polymers such as polylactide (PLA) and polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) have been used successfully as biomaterials in a wide range of medical applications. However, their slow degradation rates and propensity to lose strength before mass have caused problems. A central challenge for the development of these materials is the assurance of consistent and predictable in vivo degradation. Previous work has illustrated the potential to influence polymer degradation using electron beam (e-beam) radiation. The work addressed in this paper investigates further the utilisation of e-beam radiation in order to achieve a more surface specific effect. Variation of e-beam energy was studied as a means to control the effective penetrative depth in poly-l-lactide (PLLA). PLLA samples were exposed to e-beam radiation at individual energies of 0.5 MeV, 0.75 MeV and 1.5 MeV. The near-surface region of the PLLA samples was shown to be affected by e-beam irradiation with induced changes in molecular weight, morphology, flexural strength and degradation profile. Moreover, the depth to which the physical properties of the polymer were affected is dependent on the beam energy used. Computer modelling of the transmission of each e-beam energy level used corresponded well with these findings.     

Structure and cytotoxicity of biodegradable poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles loaded with oxaliplatin

Spherical nanoparticles based on the biocompatible and biodegradable poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) copolymer (90 : 10) loaded with oxaliplatin were produced by nanoprecipitation. Effect of the oxaliplatin loading on structure, size and morphology of the copolymer particles is considered. The nanoformulation of oxaliplatin demonstrates enhanced cytotoxicity and selectivity in vitro against several cancer cells compared with the free drug.     

Studies on the degradation of poly(L-lactide-r-trimethene carbonate) copolymers

Biodegradable poly(L-lactide-r-trimethene carbonate) copolymers (P(LLA-co-TMC)) with different compositions were synthesized. The degradation of the copolymers was carried out in phosphate buffer saline solutions (pH = 7.4) at 37 °C. The compositions, structure and properties of the copolymers in degradation were characterized with ¹H-NMR, DSC, XRD, GPC, and SEM. The weight loss of the P(LLA-co-TMC) 50/50 was much faster than that of P(LLA-co-TMC) 85/15 and PLLA homopolymer. Interestingly, though the molecular weight of the compolymers decreased greatly during degradation, the compositions were rarely varied. After long time degradation, the PLLA segments were induced to crystallize in the P(LLA-co-TMC) 85/15 copolymer. The SEM observation of the surface and cross-section of P(LLA-co-TMC) 85/15 copolymer films found it was similar to the bulk degradation of PLLA homopolymer.     

Poly(HEMA-co-NBMI) Monolithic Cryogel Columns for IgG Adsorption

Supermacroporous poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-1,5-naphthalene bismaleimide) [poly(HEMA-co-NBMI)] monolithic cryogel column was prepared by free radical cryo-copolymerization of HEMA with NBMI as a hydrophobic functional comonomer and N,N′-methylene-bisacrylamide as cross-linker directly in a plastic syringe for adsorption of albumin. The monolithic cryogel contained a continuous polymeric matrix which has interconnected pores of 10–100 μm size. Poly(HEMA-co-NBMI) cryogel was characterized by swelling studies, FTIR and scanning electron microscopy. The equilibrium swelling degree of the poly(HEMA-co-NBMI) cryogel was 10.5 g of H₂O/g dry cryogel. Poly(HEMA-co-NBMI) cryogel was used in the adsorption/desorption of IgG from aqueous solutions. The maximum amount of IgG adsorption from aqueous solution in phosphate buffer was 98.20 mg/g polymer at pH 7.0. The nonspecific adsorption of IgG onto plain poly(HEMA) cryogel was very low (2.79 g/g polymer). It was observed that IgG could be repeatedly adsorbed and desorbed with the poly(HEMA-co-NBMI) cryogel without significant loss of adsorption capacity.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel degradable photocrosslinked poly(ether‐anhydride) networks

New degradable poly(ether‐anhydride) networks were synthesized by UV photopolymerization. Dicarboxylated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) or poly(tetramethylene glycol) (PTMG) was reacted with an excess of methacrylic anhydride to form dimethacrylated macromers containing anhydride linkages. The percent of conversion for the macromer formation was more than 80% at 60 °C after 24 h. ¹H NMR and IR spectroscopies show the presence of anhydride linkages in the macromer. In vitro degradation studies were carried out at 37 °C in PBS with crosslinked polymer networks formed by UV irradiation. All PEG‐based polymers degraded within 2 days, while PTMG‐based polymers degraded by 50% of the initial weight after 14 days. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 1277–1282, 2000     

Poly(ethylene oxide)-coated polyamide nanoparticles degradable by glutathione

Poly(adipoyl chloride-alt-cystamine) nanoparticles covalently coated with poly(ethylene oxide) (M _w = 2,000 or 5,000) were prepared as a model of glutathione-degradable drug, protein, or deoxyribonucleic acid delivery systems. The polyamide forming the micellar core has disulfide bonds in the main chain and thus its degradation gives low molecular weight products. The degradation of nanoparticles by the action of glutathione in the reduced or oxidized forms was monitored by time dependencies of the light scattering intensity at 37 °C in media modeling intracellular environment. The lifetimes of nanoparticles were determined. The reductive degradation of the nanoparticles by the reaction with reduced glutathione is an order of magnitude faster than their spontaneous degradation. The effect of nanoparticle concentration and solution pH was also investigated.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(3,3 bis(azidomethyl)oxetane‐co‐ε‐caprolactone)s

The quasi‐living cationic copolymerization of 3,3‐bis(chloromethyl)oxetane (BCMO) and ε‐caprolactone (ε‐CL), using boron trifluoride etherate as catalyst and 1,4‐butanediol as coinitiator, was investigated in methylene chloride at 0°C. The resulting hydroxyl‐ended copolymers exhibit a narrow molecular weight polydispersity and a functionality of about 2. The reactivity ratios of BCMO (0.26) and ε‐CL (0.47), and the T_g of the copolymers, indicate their statistical character. The synthesis of poly(3,3‐bis(azidomethyl)oxetane‐co‐ε‐caprolactone) from poly(BCMO‐co‐ε‐CL) via the substitution of the chlorine atoms by azide groups, using sodium azide in DMSO at 110°C, occurs without any degradation, but the copolymers decompose at about 240°C. All polymers were characterized by vapor pressure osmometry or steric exclusion chromatography, ¹H‐NMR and FTIR spectroscopies, and DSC. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 1027–1039, 1999     

Macromolecular-chain rearrangement during synthesis of poly(N-phenylurethanes)

Poly(N-phenyliminocarbonates) capable of converting into poly(N-phenylurethanes) via thermal treatment at 300°C for 9 h through the Chapman mechanism were prepared via the polycondensation of bisphenols with plenyliminophosgene. The resulting polymers are soluble in chlorinated hydrocarbons and amide solvents. The polymers are characteristic by glass-transition and 10%-weight-loss temperatures during heating in air of 165–210 and 455–490°C, respectively.     

Poly(diarylsilmethylene)s,I. Synthesis and characterization

Poly(diarylsilmethylene)s with phenyl or tolyl substituents on Si atoms were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of corresponding 1,1,3,3-tetraaryl-1,3-disilacyclobutanes, and were characterized by means of DSC, x-ray diffraction and melt viscosity measurements. Three preparative routes including catalytic and noncatalytic polymerization methods were examined to see differences in properties of the resulting polymers. The polymers thus obtained were crystalline and soluble in limited solvents such as diphenyl sulfone at tem-peratures above 250°C. Poly(diphenylsilmethylene) exhibited a melting temperature of about 350°C, whereas those of polymers with tolyl groups were observed in a temperature range between 310 and 330°C. The melt viscosity of the poly(diarylsilmethylene)s was measured to obtain insight into the molecular weights of the polymers, and the results indicated that the molecular weights are modifiable by varying the monomer-to-catalyst ratio when solution polymerization is employed. The DSC and x-ray studies were also carried out with focusing on the melting and crystallization behavior of these polymers. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Degradation behavior of poly (l-lactide-co-glycolide) films through gamma-ray irradiation

Gamma-ray irradiation is a very useful tool to improve the physicochemical properties of various biodegradable polymers without the use of a heating and crosslinking agent. The purpose of this study was to investigate the degradation behavior of poly (l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) depending on the applied gamma-ray irradiation doses. PLGA films prepared through a solvent casting method were irradiated with gamma radiation at various irradiation doses. The irradiation was performed using 60Co gamma-ray doses of 25–500 kGy at a dose rate of 10 kGy/h.The degradation of irradiated films was observed through the main chain scission. Exposure to gamma radiation dropped the average molecular weight (M_n and M_w), and weakened the mechanical strength. Thermograms of irradiated film show various changes of thermal properties in accordance with gamma-ray irradiation doses. Gamma-ray irradiation changes the morphology of the surface, and improves the wettability. In conclusion, gamma-ray irradiation will be a useful tool to control the rate of hydrolytic degradation of these PLGA films.     

Size effects of discoidal PLGA nanoconstructs in Pickering emulsion stabilization

Solid particle stabilized emulsions, using unique shape defined particles, are receiving increasing research interest due to ease of formulation and interesting physiochemical characteristics. There is, however, a need to systematically investigate the effect of anisotropic discoidal microparticles, realized with top-down fabrication approaches, in emulsion stabilization. Here, the effect of poly(d ,l -lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) discoidal polymeric nanoconstruct (DPN) size on the formation and stability of oil-in-water emulsions is studied. Particles with a diameter of 1, 2, and 5 μm are fabricated with a lithographic templating technique, and used to stabilize medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil emulsions. Three phase contact angles decreased from 85° ± 7° to 68° ± 12° moving from 1 to 5 μm DPN stabilized emulsions, showing a particle “hydrophilicity” increase with size. Microscopy imaging showed that the mean droplet diameter and dispersity increased with particle size, and that DPNs were present at the oil–water interface. DPN based emulsions were stable for about 24 h or less in the case of 1 and 2 μm DPNs. Emulsion stability was shorter than 12 h in case of 5 μm DPNs. Finally, calculations of DPN detachment free energies ΔG_dw and excess surface coverages C_excess demonstrated that, despite the significantly high adhesion energy of the discoidal DPN, emulsion stability was mostly affected by gravitational forces for DPN sizes above 2 μm. The use of PLGA and MCT oil in this study is relevant for future use of Pickering emulsions in pharmaceutical and drug delivery applications.     

Synthesis and properties of novel aliphatic poly(carbonate-ester)s

The biodegradable poly(5-methyl-5-methoxycarbonyl-1,3-dioxan-2-one-co-d,l-lactide) [poly(MMTC-co-d,l-LA)] copolymers were synthesized by the ring-opening copolymerization. The results show that the yield and molecular weight of copolymers are significantly influenced by reaction conditions. The chemical structure of the resultant copolymers was characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR methods. Their molecular weight was measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Study of monomer coreactivity ratios indicates that d,l-LA reacts faster than MMTC in the copolymerization. The enzymatic degradation of the polymers with various compositions was studied at 37 °C in pH = 8.6 Tris-HCl buffer solution in the presence of proteinase K. Their mechanical properties were also preliminarily investigated.     

Dual-response nanocarrier based on graft copolymers with hydrazone bond linkages for improved drug delivery

Core–shell micelles with biodegradability, thermo- and pH-response were successfully demonstrated by poly(2-oxepane-1,5-dione-co-ɛ-caprolactone) (P(OPD-co-CL)) grafted with hydrophilic segments of amine-terminated poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (At-PNIPAM). To compare with the graft copolymer, P(OPD-co-CL) block PNIPAM polymer was also prepared. The micelles with core–shell structure were formed with both graft and block copolymers by self-assembly in aqueous solutions, of which PNIPAM shell is thermo-response. Furthermore, P(OPD-co-CL)-g-PNIPAM also showed pH-sensitivity, which was attributed to the acid-cleavable property of the hydrazone bond. The low critical micelle concentrations (CMCs) of graft polymers and block polymers were 6.7 mg/L and 14.3 mg/L, respectively, which indicated the formation of stable micelles. Both drug-free and drug-loaded micelles were in uniformly spherical shape observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The sizes of the drug-free and drug-loaded micelles prepared from graft polymer were 123.5 nm and 146.5 nm, respectively, and the sizes of those prepared from block polymer were 197.5 nm and 211.5 nm, respectively. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) for the graft polymer was 34.3 °C, while that for the block polymer was 28.1 °C, demonstrating a thermo-response. The graft polymeric micelles exhibited thermo-triggered decelerated release at pH 7.4, and pH-triggered accelerated release at 25 °C in vitro release test, indicating that the graft polymeric micelles could be a promising site-specific drug delivery system for enhancing the bioavailability of the drug in targeted pathological areas.