PNNL

Abstract

Incorporation of hard particles into soft hydrogels can improve the mechanical properties and provide necessary bioactivity to the hydrogels for desired biomedical applications. Hydrogel composites containing hydroxyapatite (HA) have been suggested promising for orthopedic applications. In this study, injectable PEG hydrogel precursor solutions containing HA particles were synthesized by photopolymerization. Model protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) was in situ incorporated into the hydrogel composite during photopolymerization. In vitro BSA release properties from hydrogel composite containing various amount of HA were investigated and discussed. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were empolyed to investigate the interaction between HA and the hydrogel network and the morphology of the hydrogel composites. It is found that PEG hydrogel composites containing HA can sustain the release of BSA for at least 5 days and the presence of HA slowed down BSA release. Photopolymerized hydrogel composites containing hydroxyapatite may find potential use as drug delivery matrix for orthopedic tissue engineering.