Conditions for obtaining polyvinyl alcohol/trisodium trimetaphosphate hydrogels as vitreous humor substitute

Author(s)

Morandim-Giannetti, Andreia de Araujo ; Silva, Rosianne Cristina ; Magalhaes Junior, Octaviano ; Schor, Paulo ; Bersanetti, Patricia Alessandra

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH PART B-APPLIED BIOMATERIALS; v. 104, n. 7, p. 1386-1395, OCT 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 3

Abstract

Hydrogels are polymeric materials with numerous medical and biological applications because of their physicochemical properties. In this context, the conditions were defined for obtaining a hydrogel with characteristics similar to the vitreous humor using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and trisodium trimetaphosphate (STMP). The concentration of PVA (X-1), PVA/STMP ratio (X-2), and initial pH (X-3) were modified, and their effect was analyzed in terms of the refractive index (Y-1), density (Y-2), dynamic viscosity (Y-3), and final pH (Y-4). The results demonstrated that X-1 interferes with Y-1, Y-2, and Y-3, and X-2 interferes with Y-2 and Y-3. The best condition for obtaining a hydrogel with characteristics similar to the vitreous humor was 4.2586% PVA (wt/wt), STMP/PVA ratio of 1:6.8213 (wt/wt), and initial pH of 9.424. DSC, ATR-FTIR, swelling degree, and AFM analysis confirmed the PVA reticulation with STMP. Furthermore, STMP increased the glass transition temperature and decreased the water uptake of approximate to 50% of the hydrogels, which can be explained by the crosslinking of PVA chains. Infrared spectroscopy revealed a decrease of hydroxyl bonds and confirmed the reticulation between PVA and STMP. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 1386-1395, 2016. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/07343-8 - Structural modification, physical-chemical characterization and biological testing of biomaterials and tissue for ophthalmic use
• Grantee: Paulo Schor
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants