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In vivo testing of crosslinked polyethers. I. Tissue reactions and biodegradation
B J Pol1, P B van Wachem, M J van Luyn
1University of Twente, Department of Chemical Technology, Enschede, The Netherlands.
Journal of Biomedical Materials Research
|November 1, 1996
Summary
This study evaluated cross-linked polyethers in rats, finding good biocompatibility for both hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials. The absence of tertiary hydrogen atoms enhanced biostability in hydrophobic polyethers, while cross-linked polyethylene oxide degraded fastest.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Assessing the in vivo performance of novel biomaterials is crucial for developing safe and effective medical devices.
- Cross-linked polyethers are candidates for various biomedical applications due to their tunable properties.
- Understanding the relationship between polymer structure, hydrophilicity, and host response is essential for material selection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vivo biocompatibility and biodegradation of cross-linked polyethers with varying hydrophilicity and main chain structures.
- To evaluate the influence of tertiary hydrogen atoms on the biostability of hydrophobic polyethers.
- To compare the degradation behavior of hydrophilic polyethers and their blends.
Main Methods:
- Subcutaneous implantation of cross-linked polyethers in rats.
- Evaluation of tissue reactions and interactions using light microscopy (LM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) at 4 days, 1 month, and 3 months.
- Testing of hydrophobic polyethers (poly(THF), poly(POx), poly(THF-co-OX)) and hydrophilic materials (PEO, poly(THF)/PEO blend).
Main Results:
- All tested polyethers demonstrated good biocompatibility, characterized by minimal inflammatory cell infiltration and thin fibrous capsule formation.
- Biostability of hydrophobic polyethers increased with the absence of tertiary hydrogen atoms: poly(POx) < poly(THF-co-OX) < poly(THF).
- Cross-linked polyethylene oxide exhibited the highest degradation rate among hydrophilic materials, likely due to hydrogel weakness and porosity.
Conclusions:
- Cross-linked polyethers generally show good in vivo biocompatibility.
- Eliminating tertiary hydrogen atoms in the main chain positively impacts the biostability of hydrophobic polyethers.
- Hydrophilic polyethers, particularly cross-linked PEO, undergo faster degradation, influenced by mechanical properties and cellular interactions.