title: Synthesis of biocompatible, stimuli-responsive, physical gels based on ABA triblock copolymers.
abstract: ABA triblock copolymers [A = 2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate), DPA or 2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate), DEA; B = 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine, MPC] prepared using atom transfer radical polymerization dissolve in acidic solution but form biocompatible free-standing gels at around neutral pH in moderately concentrated aqueous solution (above approximately 10 w/v % copolymer). Proton NMR studies indicate that physical gelation occurs because the deprotonated outer DPA (or DEA) blocks become hydrophobic, which leads to attractive interactions between the chains: addition of acid leads to immediate dissolution of the micellar gel. Release studies using dipyridamole as a model hydrophobic drug indicate that sustained release profiles can be obtained from these gels under physiologically relevant conditions. More concentrated DPA-MPC-DPA gels give slower release profiles, as expected. At lower pH, fast, triggered release can also be achieved, because gel dissolution occurs under these conditions. Furthermore, the nature of the outer block also plays a role; the more hydrophobic DPA-MPC-DPA triblock gels are formed at lower copolymer concentrations and retain the drug longer than the DEA-MPC-DEA triblock gels.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, Physics and Environmental Science, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QJ, U.K.
authors.forename: Yinghua
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Yiqing
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Norman C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Billingham
authors.forename: Steven P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Armes
authors.forename: Andrew L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D005782:Gels / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry*; D008823:Micelles; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010767:Phosphorylcholine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D005782:Gels; D008689:Methacrylates; D008823:Micelles; D011108:Polymers; D010767:Phosphorylcholine; C070638:2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine