Injectable and in situ gelling hydrogels for modified protein release

A novel injectable polysaccharide system based on calcium Alginate (Ca-Alg) hydrogel and two Dextran methacrylate derivatives (DexMA) was recently developed. The resulting Interpenetrating Polymer Network showed a synergistic mechanical behavior that can be exploited to target the hydrogel properties towards specific biomedical needs. In the present paper, hydrogels composed of 3% (w/v) Ca-Alg and Dextran (Mw 40 x 10(4) and 500 x 10(4)), derivatized with methacrylic groups (derivatization degrees 5 and 30%) at concentrations 5% (w/v), were characterized. The data reported here evidenced that Mw and derivatization degree of Dex chains can deeply affect the mechanical as well a model protein (Horseradish peroxidase) delivery rate. The enzymatic activity of such model protein was never significantly altered by the adopted experimental conditions.