title: Biodegradation of PLA/GA polymers: increasing complexity.
abstract: The degradation of aliphatic polyesters derived from lactic and glycolic acids (PLA/GA) depends on many factors. It has been found recently that the interior of large size devices degrades faster than the outer zone. A qualitative model has been proposed to account for this heterogeneous degradation. It is based on diffusion-reaction phenomena combined with the well-known autocatalytic effect of carboxylic chain ends. This contribution recalls the present understanding of the hydrolytic degradation of PLA/GA polymers and emphasizes its complexity on the basis of the influence of secondary factors such as the presence of a basic load, namely, gentamycin, in poly(lactic acid) matrices, and the presence of long stereoregular sequences in poly(DL-lactic acid) macromolecules.
authors.affiliation: Centre de Recherche sur les Biopolymères Artificiels, URA CNRS 1465 Université Montpellier 1, Faculté de Pharmacie, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vert
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mauduit
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007773:Lactates / Q000737:chemistry*; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011091:Polyesters; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013237:Stereoisomerism
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005839:Gentamicins; D007773:Lactates; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide)