Hyaluronic acid methacrylate derivatives and calcium alginate interpenetrated hydrogel networks for biomedical applications: physico-chemical characterization and protein release

The preparation of a novel polysaccharide interpenetrating polymer network based on calcium alginate and methacrylated hyaluronic acid is described. The effect of two different solvents, distilled water and 0.9?% (w/v) NaCl, on the matrix formation and on its physico-chemical properties was studied by means of rheological and mechanical measurements. Furthermore, the structural characterization of the hydrogels prepared in the different ionic strength conditions was carried out by small-angle X-ray scattering in order to obtain deeper information useful for the preparation of drug delivery systems. Finally, to evaluate the potential use of the novel matrix as a drug delivery system and, in particular, its suitability for modulated delivery of a bioactive protein, release experiments of horseradish peroxidase, as a model protein, were also carried out.