title: Photopolymerizable and injectable polyurethanes for biomedical applications: synthesis and biocompatibility.
abstract: Two types of photopolymerizable and injectable polyurethane acrylates (PUAs), based on poly(propylene glycol) or poly(caprolactone diol) and hydroxyethyl methacrylate, were synthesized and characterized in order to obtain information regarding their use as an injectable material for biomedical applications. Structural characteristics of the biomaterials, including the degree of phase separation, were evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The viscosities of the obtained biomaterials make them suitable for injection, molding and photopolymerization using visible light, as demonstrated by the injection test. The cured polymers had mechanical properties comparable to those of certain soft tissues, such as skin. An in vitro cell-polyurethane cytotoxicity study was carried out with mesenchymal stem cells from rat tibias and femurs. The proliferation/viability of the cells in the presence of the synthesized material was assessed by the MTT assay, collagen synthesis analysis and the expression of alkaline phosphatase. The results that were obtained through the in vitro tests indicated that PUAs are cytocompatible. The in vivo experiments were correlated with the in vitro tests and showed low levels of toxicity for the obtained biomaterials. Histology cross-sections showed that the biomaterials induced no significant inflammatory reaction. Our study demonstrates the potential for using synthesized photocurable polyurethanes in biomedical applications. Furthermore, the obtained injectable polymer systems employ minimally invasive procedures and can be molded in situ before photopolymerization with visible light.
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Minas Gerais-UFMG, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ildeu H L
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Eliane
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ayres
authors.forename: Patrícia S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Patrício
authors.forename: Alfredo M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Góes
authors.forename: Viviane S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Gomide
authors.forename: Eduardo P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Junior
authors.forename: Rodrigo L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Oréfice
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption / Q000187:drug effects; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D020007:Implants, Experimental; D007267:Injections; D008027:Light; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods*; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D011091:Polyesters / Q000494:pharmacology; D011108:Polymers / Q000494:pharmacology; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011409:Propylene Glycols / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012997:Solvents; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013718:Tensile Strength / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D011140:Polyurethanes; D011409:Propylene Glycols; D012997:Solvents; C016240:polycaprolactone; C012504:polypropylene glycol; D003094:Collagen; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase