title: Biodegradable and thermoreversible PCLA-PEG-PCLA hydrogel as a barrier for prevention of post-operative adhesion.
abstract: Biodegradable polymers can serve as barriers to prevent the post-operative intestinal adhesion. Herein, we synthesized a biodegradable triblock copolymer poly(ɛ-caprolactone-co-lactide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(ɛ-caprolactone-co-lactide) (PCLA-PEG-PCLA). The concentrated polymeric aqueous solution was injectable, and a hydrogel could be rapidly formed due to percolation of a self-assembled micelle network at the body temperature without requirement of any chemical reactions. This physical hydrogel retained its integrity in vivo for a bit more than 6 weeks and was eventually degraded due to hydrolysis. The synthesized polymer exhibited little cytotoxicity and hemolysis; the acute inflammatory response after implanting the hydrogel was acceptable, and the degradation products were less acidic than those of other polyester-containing materials. A rabbit model of sidewall defect-bowel abrasion was employed, and a significant reduction of post-operative peritoneal adhesion has been found in the group of in situ formed PCLA-PEG-PCLA hydrogels.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers of Ministry of Education, Department of Macromolecular Science, Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Zheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ni
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Jianwei
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Jiandong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ding
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D006461:Hemolysis; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D015394:Molecular Structure; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011817:Rabbits; D013696:Temperature; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020100:Hydrogels; D011091:Polyesters; C512884:poly(epsilon-caprolactone-co-lactide)-poly(ethylene glycol); D011092:Polyethylene Glycols