title: Synthesis, characterization and in vitro degradation of a biodegradable elastomer.
abstract: An elastomer was prepared from biodegradable components as a potential biomaterial for drug delivery and tissue engineering applications. The elastomer was synthesized in two steps. First, a star copolymer (SCP) was manufactured via ring opening polymerization of -caprolactone (epsilon-CL) with D,L-lactide using glycerol as initiator and stannous 2-ethylhexanoate as catalyst. This living SCP was further reacted with different ratios of a crosslinking monomer, 2,2-bis(epsilon-CL-4-yl)-propane in the presence of epsilon-CL as a solvent and co-monomer. The elastomers had very low glass transitions (-32 degrees C), sol contents ranging from 17% to 37%, and were soft and weak with physical properties similar to those of natural elastomers such as elastin. The physical properties decreased in a logarithmic fashion with time when degraded in phosphate buffered saline, indicative of first-order degradation kinetics. The elastomers degraded relatively slowly, with degradation being incomplete after 12 weeks.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta., Canada T6G 2N8.
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Younes
authors.forename: Elda
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bravo-Grimaldo
authors.forename: B G Brian G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Amsden
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002208:Caproates / Q000737:chemistry*; D002384:Catalysis; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000494:pharmacology; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D020724:Elastomers / Q000737:chemistry*; D005990:Glycerol / Q000737:chemistry; D007700:Kinetics; D007783:Lactones / Q000737:chemistry*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008422:Materials Testing; D008956:Models, Chemical; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011522:Protons; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D023822:Tissue Engineering
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002208:Caproates; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D020724:Elastomers; D007783:Lactones; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D011522:Protons; C033616:poly(lactide); C121056:caprolactone; D005990:Glycerol