title: PVA/STMP based hydrogels as potential substitutes of human vitreous.
abstract: PVA based hydrogels were synthesised using, as crosslinking agent, trisodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) to obtain potential substitutes for the vitreous body of the eye. The hydrogels, obtained using different amounts of STMP, were characterised by Infrared Spectroscopy which confirmed the successful occurrence of crosslinking reaction. The mechanical spectra of the fully hydrated samples confirmed covalently crosslinked systems (i.e. G' > G''). The rheological analysis pointed out that only one of the hydrogels (PVA STMP 8:1) showed a behaviour similar to that of human vitreous. The hydrogel was also subjected to injection through a small needle, a procedure that is essential in the use of vitreous substitutes. Further analysis in terms of light transmittance, water content measurements, diffusion coefficient and cytotoxicity confirmed the applicability of such a hydrogel as vitreous substitute.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical and Applied Chemistry, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. leone10@unisi.it
authors.forename: Gemma
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Leone
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Consumi
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aggravi
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Donati
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lamponi
authors.forename: Agnese
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Magnani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020007:Implants, Experimental; D008422:Materials Testing; D051379:Mice; D041681:NIH 3T3 Cells; D010710:Phosphates / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol / Q000737:chemistry*; D012212:Rheology; D033081:Shear Strength; D013055:Spectrophotometry, Infrared; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000601:surgery; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D020100:Hydrogels; D010710:Phosphates; D014867:Water; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol; C018279:sodium phosphate