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Branched Amphiphilic Polylactides as a Polymer Matrix Component for Biodegradable Implants.
Vladislav Istratov1,2, Vitaliy Gomzyak3, Valerii Vasnev1
1A.N. Nesmeyanov Institute of Organoelement Compounds of Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov Street, 28, 119991 Moscow, Russia.
Polymers
|March 11, 2023
Summary
Researchers developed new lactic acid-based polymers to improve medical implants. These modified polyesters enhance hydrophilicity and reduce brittleness, making them more suitable for biomedical applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Lactic acid-based polyesters, like polylactide (PLLA), are attractive for implants due to biocompatibility, biodegradability, and strength.
- However, the inherent hydrophobicity of polylactide limits its biomedical applications.
- Modifying polylactide to enhance hydrophilicity is crucial for broader use in medical devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize amphiphilic branched pegylated copolylactides to improve polylactide's properties.
- To investigate the effect of these modified copolylactides on the characteristics of polylactide films.
- To evaluate the impact of hydroxyapatite addition on the modified polylactide films.
Main Methods:
- Ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide using tin (II) 2-ethylhexanoate catalyst.
- Incorporation of hydrophilic groups via 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid and its polyethylene glycol monomethyl ester derivative.
- Characterization using 1H NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography.
- Preparation of interpolymer mixtures with PLLA and hydroxyapatite filling.
Main Results:
- Synthesized amphiphilic branched pegylated copolylactides with narrow molecular weight distribution (MWD) and controlled molecular weights (5000-13,000 Da).
- Addition of 10 wt% copolylactides to PLLA films reduced brittleness, increased hydrophilicity (contact angle 71.9-88.5°), and enhanced water absorption.
- 20 wt% hydroxyapatite filling further decreased contact angle to 66.1°, with a slight reduction in strength and elongation but increased thermal stability.
Conclusions:
- Amphiphilic branched pegylated copolylactides effectively enhance the hydrophilicity and mechanical properties of PLLA.
- Hydroxyapatite incorporation improves hydrophilicity and thermal stability without significantly altering thermal transitions.
- These modified polyesters show promise for advanced biomedical implant applications.
