Evaluation of novel biodegradable cyclic carbonate polyester copolymers for cytocompatibility using MRC-5 cells

The objective of this work was to synthesize and characterize a novel series of biodegradable cyclic carbonate polyester copolymers based on lactide and 5-methyl-5-benzyloxy-carbonyl-1,3-dioxan-2-one (MBC). Two compositions were selected for characterization. One copolymer was based on a racemic mixture of 1-lactide with 15.4 mole % MBC and the other was based on 1-lactide with 8.2 mole % MBC. These polymers contain carboxylic acid moieties along the backbone that may be used for tethering bioactive agents, forming ionic crosslinks or be reacted with vinyl containing monomers to allow free radical crosslinking. The initial materials evaluated have the carboxylic acid functionalities blocked with benzene. These polymers and the de-blocked versions may have potential applications for hard and soft tissue scaffolds, control drug delivery matrixes or a variety of other applications in medicine. The copolymer samples were pressed into 7.0-mm diameter disk using a KBr press. The disks were then sterilized using U.V radiation under a laminar flow hood. After sterilization, the copolymer disks were submerged in 2 ml of media and placed in a CO2 regulated incubator at 37 degrees C. A total of six groups per phase (n = 7 test tubes per group) were used in this study. Test tubes in groups I and III were plated with MRC-5 and subsequently treated with media alone (controls). Test tubes in groups II and IV were plated with MRC-5 and subsequently treated with media before being introduced to copolymer samples. Cell number, as well as, biochemical markers such as protein and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined at the end of the 24, 48 and 72-hour time periods. Representative test tubes were subjected to an H&E staining procedure for microscopic morphological evaluation. The results of this evaluation suggest that the exposure of both copolymers produced a non-cytotoxic environment with the MRC-5 cell line. Although both copolymers are non-cytotoxic, the sample having the higher MBC content is the preferred composition based upon MDA levels and morphological evaluations.