Development of a methacrylate-terminated PLGA copolymer for potential use in craniomaxillofacial fracture plates.
We synthesised methacrylate-terminated PLGA (HT-PLGA, 85:15 LA:GA, 169kDa), for potential use as an adhesively attached craniomaxillofacial fracture fixation plate. The in vitro degradation of molecular weight, pH and flexural modulus were measured over 6weeks storage in PBS at 37°C, with commercially available high (225kDa, H-PLGA) and low (116kDa, L-PLGA) molecular weight 85:15 PLGAs used as comparators. Molecular weights of the materials reduced over 6weeks, HT-PLGA by 48%, H-PLGA by 23% and L-PLGA by 81%. HT-PLGA and H-PLGA exhibited a near constant pH (7.35) and had average flexural moduli in excess of 6GPa when produced, similar to that of the mandible. After 1week storage both exhibited a significant reduction in average modulus, however, from weeks 1-6 no further significant changes were observed, the average modulus never dropped significantly below 5.5GPa. In contrast, the L-PLGA caused a pH drop to below 7.3 by week 6 and an average modulus drop to 0.6 from an initial 4.6GPa. Cell culture using rat bone marrow stromal cells, revealed all materials were cytocompatible and exhibited no osteogenic potential. We conclude that our functionalised PLGA retains mechanical properties which are suitable for use in craniofacial fixation plates.
School of Mechanical and Systems Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
Sarah J
SJ
Upson
School of Mechanical and Systems Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
Simon W
SW
Partridge
Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 14104 Huddinge, Sweden.
Ion
I
Tcacencu
Chemical Nanoscience Laboratory, School of Chemistry, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
David A
DA
Fulton
Centre for Oral Health Research, School of Dental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
Ian
I
Corbett
Centre for Oral Health Research, School of Dental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. Electronic address: matthew.german@newcastle.ac.uk.
Matthew J
MJ
German
School of Mechanical and Systems Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
Kenneth W
KW
Dalgarno
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001860:Bone Plates; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D008440:Maxillary Fractures / Q000628:therapy; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry*; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D008689:Methacrylates; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid
Biodegradable; Fracture fixation; PLGA; Resorbable polymer