title: Hydrolytic and enzymatic degradation of liquid-crystalline aromatic/aliphatic copolyesters.
abstract: Aromatic/aliphatic copolyesters containing hydrophilic moieties in the main chain or side chain were synthesized by bulk polycondensation of aromatic monomers without or with solubilizing substituents and aliphatic monomers. Hydrolytic and enzymatic degradation studies were carried out in vitro at 37 degrees C in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer and in Tris-HCl buffer containing proteinase K. The results indicate that liquid-crystalline aromatic/aliphatic copolyesters are degradable hydrolytically as well as enzymatically. The change in composition and morphology of the polyester films were monitored by nuclear magnetic resonance and scanning electron microscopy. The results suggested that aromatic species and aliphatic moieties could be released into aqueous solution during hydrolytic degradation of aromatic/aliphatic copolyesters with ethyleneoxy groups on the side chain. Modifying aromatic species with hydrophilic groups in aromatic/aliphatic copolyesters was an efficient method to improve degradability and biocompatibility due to improved solubility of degradation products in aqueous solution. Mechanical tests indicated that the copolyesters exhibited good mechanical properties prior to degradation, which can be of relevance for bone tissue engineering.
authors.affiliation: Philipps-Universität Marburg, FB Chemie und Wissenschaftliches Zentrum für Materialwissenschaften, Hans-Meerwein Strasse, D-35032 Marburg, Germany. checyw@nus.edu.sg
authors.forename: Yiwang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Zhihong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schaper
authors.forename: Magnus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kristiansen
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wombacher
authors.forename: Joachim H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Wendorff
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Greiner
mesh_terms: D000473:Alkanes; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D004798:Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D006841:Hydrocarbons, Aromatic; D006868:Hydrolysis; D008422:Materials Testing; D019563:Mechanics; D011091:Polyesters / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D012995:Solubility
chemical_list: D000473:Alkanes; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004798:Enzymes; D006841:Hydrocarbons, Aromatic; D011091:Polyesters