Hyaluronan delivery by polymer demixing in polysaccharide-based hydrogels and membranes for biomedical applications.
Alginate-based membranes containing hyaluronic acid (HA) were manufactured by freeze-drying calcium-reticulated hydrogels. The study of the distribution of the two macromolecules within the hydrogel enabled to highlight a polymer demixing mechanism that tends to segregate HA in the external parts of the constructs. Resistance and pliability of the membranes were tuned, while release and degradation studies enabled to quantify the diffusion of both polysaccharides in physiological solution and to measure the viable lifetime of the membranes. Biological studies in vitro proved that the liquid extracts from the HA-containing membranes stimulate wound healing and that fibroblasts are able to colonize the membranes. Overall, such novel alginate-HA membranes represent a promising solution for several medical needs, in particular for wound treatment, giving the possibility to provide an in situ administration of HA from a resorbable device.
Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Licio Giorgieri 5, I-34127 Trieste, Italy. Electronic address: atravan@units.it.
Andrea
A
Travan
Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Licio Giorgieri 5, I-34127 Trieste, Italy.
Francesca
F
Scognamiglio
Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Licio Giorgieri 5, I-34127 Trieste, Italy.
Massimiliano
M
Borgogna
Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Piazza dell'Ospitale 1, I-34129 Trieste, Italy.
Eleonora
E
Marsich
Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Licio Giorgieri 5, I-34127 Trieste, Italy.
Ivan
I
Donati
Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Licio Giorgieri 5, I-34127 Trieste, Italy.
Lorena
L
Tarusha
Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Alfonso Valerio, 6/A, I-34127 Trieste, Italy.
Mario
M
Grassi
Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Licio Giorgieri 5, I-34127 Trieste, Italy.
Sergio
S
Paoletti
D000328:Adult; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D065546:Drug Liberation; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D012212:Rheology; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
D004337:Drug Carriers; D020100:Hydrogels; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011134:Polysaccharides; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid
Hydrogels; Membranes; Polymer demixing; Polysaccharides; Wound healing activity