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Injectable Supramolecular Polymer-Nanoparticle Hydrogels for Cell and Drug Delivery Applications
Published on: February 7, 2021
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Free radical scavenging injectable hydrogels for regenerative therapy
Remya Komeri1, Finosh Gnanaprakasam Thankam2, Jayabalan Muthu1
1Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Polymer Science Division, BMT Wing, Thiruvananthapuram 695 012, Kerala State, India.
Summary
This study introduces PEAX-P, an injectable hydrogel that scavenges free radicals and protects cardiac cells. This synthetic material offers a promising approach for combined antioxidant and regenerative therapy in cardiac tissue repair.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Inflamed and infarcted cardiac tissues generate free radicals, impeding natural repair mechanisms.
- Hypoxic conditions in injured cardiac zones limit therapeutic interventions like cell therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an injectable, cytocompatible, free radical scavenging synthetic hydrogel for cardiac regenerative therapy.
- To evaluate the physical, antioxidant, and cytoprotective properties of the novel PEAX-P hydrogel.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of PEAX-P hydrogel using D-xylitol-co-fumarate-co-poly ethylene adipate-co-PEG comaromer (PEAX) and PEGDiacrylate.
- Characterization of hydrogel properties including swelling, Young's modulus, and elasticity.
- Assessment of free radical scavenging activity (DPPH, hydroxyl, nitrate) and reducing power.
- Evaluation of cardiomyoblast cell protection against stress-inducing media.
Main Results:
- PEAX-P hydrogel exhibits significant swelling (4.9x) and suitable mechanical properties (100.07kPa Young's modulus, elastic at 60% strain).
- The hydrogel demonstrates effective free radical scavenging (51% DPPH, 40% hydroxyl, 41% nitrate) and 31% reducing power.
- PEAX-P protects 62% of cardiomyoblast cells from stress-induced damage at LD50 concentration.
Conclusions:
- The PEAX-P hydrogel is a promising injectable system for combined antioxidant and regenerative therapy in cardiac applications.
- Its free radical scavenging ability is attributed to sugar alcohol hydroxyl groups and fumarate bonds.
- While effective, xylitol-based PEAX-P shows slightly lower scavenging than mannitol-based counterparts due to fewer hydroxyl groups.
