Heparin immobilized chitosan--poly ethylene glycol interpenetrating network: antithrombogenicity

This work deals with the synthesis and blood compatibility studies of Heparin immobilized chitosan--polyethyleneglycol (Chit-PEG) hydrogels for various biomedical applications. Chit-PEG interpenetrating net work (IPN) had been synthesised by crosslinking different ratios of chitosan with glutaraldehyde using schiffs base reaction mechanism and interpenetrating polyethyleneglycol (PEG) to form hydrogen bonding between the amino hydrogen in chitosan and polyether oxygen. An optimum gel combination was selected from the IPN of Chit-PEG and used for bonding heparin. This modified gel had dramatically improved its blood compatibility. The antithrombotic function of this gel and the release profile of heparin had been investigated using coagulation assays, and spectrophotometric quantitation. Recalcification times of plasma exposed to heparin immobilized Chit-PEG hydrogel were markedly increased as compared to heparin free gels. The anticoagulant function of this gel matrix may be due to partially released heparin and bonded heparin.