title: Biocatalytic synthesis of highly ordered degradable dextran-based hydrogels.
abstract: We have prepared unique macroporous and ordered dextran-based hydrogels using a single-step biocatalytic transesterification reaction between dextran and divinyladipate in neat dimethylsulfoxide. These hydrogels show a unimodal distribution of interconnected pores with average diameters from 0.4 to 2.0 microm depending on the degree of substitution. In addition, the hydrogels show a higher elastic modulus for a given swelling ratio than chemically synthesized dextran-based hydrogels. In vivo studies in rats show that the hydrogel networks are degradable over a range of time scales from 5 to over 40 days, and possess good biocompatibility, as reflected in only a mild inflammatory reaction and minor fibrous capsule formation during the time-frame of subcutaneous implantation. These combined properties may offer competitive advantages in biomedical applications ranging from tissue engineering to controlled drug delivery.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Engenharia Química, Universidade de Coimbra, Pinhal de Marrocos, 3030 Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Lino
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Maria H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Gil
authors.forename: Antonio M S
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cabrita
authors.forename: Jonathan S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Dordick
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000201:enzymology; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D002384:Catalysis; D003911:Dextrans / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D004548:Elasticity; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000737:chemistry*; D016062:Porosity; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003911:Dextrans; D020100:Hydrogels; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases