Synthesis and Physicochemical Characterization of Biodegradable Star-Shaped Poly Lactide-Co-Glycolide-<i>β</i>-Cyclodextrin Copolymer Nanoparticles Containing Albumin

The purposes of this research were to synthesize and characterize star-shaped poly lactide-co-glycolide-β-cyclo-dextrin (PLGA-β-CD) copolymer by reacting L-lactide, glycolide and β-cyclodextrin in the presence of stannous octoate as a catalyst. The structure of PLGA-β-CD copolymer was confirmed with 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and FT-IR spectra. Albumin as a model peptide drug was encapsulated within nanoparticles made of PLGA-β-CD with a modified double emulsion method. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) photomicrographs showed that the nanoparticles have the mean diameter within the range of 80 - 210 nm. Also they were almost spherical in shape. Effects of the experimental parameters, such as copolymer composition, copolymer concentration, and reaction temperature, on particular size and encapsulation efficiency were investigated.

A STUDY OF STRUCTURE AND PROPERTY CHANGES OF BIODEGRADABLE POLYGLYCOLIDE AND POLY(GLYCOLIDE-co-LACTIDE)FIBERS DURING PROCESSING AND IN VITRO DEGRADATION

Structure and properties of bioabsorbable polyglycolide (PGA) and poly(glycolide-co-lactide) (PGA-co-PLA)fibers were investigated during several industrial processing stages and in vitro degradation by means of wide-angle X-raydiffraction (WAXD), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and mechanical property tests. In the orientation stage, the PGAfibers were found to have higher degrees of crystallinity than corresponding PGA-co-PLA samples produced under similarconditions. In the hot-stretching and post-annealing stages, after fibers were braided, PGA samples were found to gain morecrystallinity and higher T_g than PGA-co-PLA samples. The higher crystallinity in PGA fibers resulted in a slower rate ofdegradation. DMA results showed that a great deal of internal stress that was built during orientation and hot-stretchingstages was released in the post-annealing stage for a1l PGA and PGA-co-PLA samples. During earlier stages of in vitrodegradation, both PGA and PGA-co-PLA samples exhibited the typical cleavage-induced crystallization mechanism. Theheat shrinkage in the glass transition area was found to disappear after 6-8 days of degradation for all PGA and PGA-co-PLAsamples, indicating the amorphous portions of the polymers lost orientation after a short period in the buffer solution, mostlikely due to relaxation of the cleaved chains.

Poly(L-lactide)-Poly(ethylene glycol) Multiblock Copolymers: Synthesis and Properties

Poly (L-lactide)-poly(ethylene glycol) multiblock copolymers with predetermined block lengths were synthesized by polycondensation of PLA diols and PEG diacids. These copolymers presented special properties, such as better miscibility between the two components, low crystallinity and better hydrophilicity, which can be modulated by adjusting the block lengths of the two components.

Measurement of Monomer Reactivity Ratios of D,L-3-Methylglycolide with Glycolide or D,L-Lactide

For monomer reactivity ratios study, the copolymerization of D,L-3-methylglycolide (MG) with glycolide (GA) or D,L-lactide (LA) was carried out in bulk to a certain low conversion in the presence of stannous octoate at 140 degrees C. The copolymer compositions were determined by H-1 NMR spectroscopy. The monomer reactivity ratios were evaluated by Fineman-Ross method, Kelen-Tudos method and linear least-squares method. The monomer reactivity ratios of D,L-3-methylglycolide and glycolide or D,L-lactide are r(mg)= 0.73, r(ga)= 1.47; r(mg)= 1.71, r(la)= 0.92, respectively.

Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide)

Poly （ l- lactide- co-glycolide ） （ PLGA ） with different compositions was prepared using stannous octaoate as catalyst by bulk ring-opening copolymerization of l-lactide and glycolide. The structure and properties of the PLGA copolymers were cbaracterized by means of attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared （ATR-FTIR）, ^1H NMR, differential scanning calorimeter （ DSC and X-ray diffraction （XRD） methods, The experimented results indicate that the synthetic conditions and the composition of copolymers have art obvious influence on the structure of PLGA copolymers, The degradation rate of eopolymers increased with the increasing of the glycolide component in the copolymers.

Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) Copolymers

A series of random and block poly（ L-lactide-co-e-caprolactone ） （ PCLA ） copolymers whh different composition are prepared using stannous octaoate as catalyst.The effects of the amount of initiator on the intrinsic viscosity have been investigated. The structure of the PCLA copolymers is characterized by means of nuclear magnetic resonance（ NMR ）, Fourier transform infrared spectrum （ FTIR ）, differential scanning calorimetry （ DSC ） and X- ray diffraction （ XRD ） methods. It is shown that the synthesis condition and the composition of copolymers obrious influence on the structure of PCLA copolymers. Hydrolytic degradation of the copolymers in a PBS solution of pH 7.4 at 37.0℃ shows that the copolymers of different composhions degrade at different rates.

pH-Compensation Effect of Lysine on the Acidic Degradation of Electrospun Poly( lactide-co-glycolide) Fibers in PBS

Electrospun aligned ultrafine fibers of poly( lactide-coglycolide)( PLGA) can be used to construct biomimetic scaffolds for engineering those structurally anisotropic and dense tissues( e. g.,tendon,ligament,etc.). But the acidic degradation products of the PLGA could result in p H decrease in the vicinity of the scaffolds,which may give rise to biocompatibility concerns. To address the noted problem, this study was designed to evaluate the p Hcompensation capacity of using Lysine( Lys) —a kind of basic amino acid on the acidic degradation products of PLGA. Ultrafine PLGA( 50∶ 50) fibers with 0,10%,20%,and 30% by weight of Lys loadings were prepared by a stable jet electrospinning( SJES)approach. The morphology,structure,and mechanical properties of the electrospun aligned fibrous mats of Lys-incorporated PLGA( 50∶50) were characterized by scanning electron microscope( SEM),Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy( FTIR),and tensile testing,respectively. Thereafter,the fibrous PLGA( 50 ∶50) scaffolds were subjected to degradation by being immersed in phosphate buffered saline( PBS,p H 6. 86) solution at 37 ℃ for 5weeks. Our results show that the formed Lys / PLGA composite ultrafine fibers have a well-aligned and uniform morphology with a fineness of ca. 1 #m in diameter. Introduction of Lys led to increased mechanical performance; that is,when the Lys loading is less than 30%,tensile strength and Young's modulus of the aligned Lys / PLGA fibers reached up to the impressive values of 84. 5 MPa and 2. 4 GPa,respectively. Degradation results show that the p H of the PLGA group fell to 5. 6 in 5 weeks while the p H of the Lys /PLGA groups with 10%,20%, and 30% of Lys loadings was maintained at 6. 3, 6. 5 and 6. 7, respectively. This work demonstrated that incorporation of Lys into electrospun PLGA fibers could be an effective approach in mediating the p H decrease caused by the acidic degradation products of the PLGA.

Preparation and characterization of biodegradable nanoparticles from methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(D,L-lactide)block copolymers as novel drug carriers

Methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(D,L-lactide) block copolymers (PEG-PLA) were prepared through ring-opening polymerization.The oil in water suspension method was used to prepare block copolymer micelles. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) by fluorescence spectroscopy was 0.0056 mg·ml -1 . The physical state of the inner core region of micelles was characterized with 1HNMR. The size of indomethacin (IMC) loaded micelles measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS) showed narrow monodisperse size distribution and the average diameters were less than 50 nm. In addition, the nanoparticles with relatively high drug loading content (DLC) were obtained.

Supercritical Fluid Impregnation of Essential Bark Oil in Copolymers of L-Lactide with 7-Membered Cyclic Compounds

In order to develop a novel controlled-release material, we previously attempted to impregnate poly(L-lactide) (poly(L-LA)), poly(L-LA-ran-CL) (CL: ε-caprolactone) or poly(L-LA-ran-TEMC) (TEMC: tetramethylene carbonate) with low boiling point, organic useful compounds using supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) as the solvent. In this work, the factors influencing impregnation of poly (L-LA) random copolymers with useful compounds were investigated under scCO2 using the copolymers previously used. The influence of temperature, pressure, and time on the impregnation contents of the useful compounds on the copolymers was evaluated. The polymer used, which is a base of this material, was poly(L-LA-ran-CL), poly(L-LA-ran-TEMC), or poly(L-LA-ran-DXO) (DXO: 1,5-dioxepan-2-one). Statistical random copolymers of L-LA with CL, TEMC, or DXO were synthesized using Sn(oct)2 as a catalyst at 150°C for 24 h without solvent. Preparation of the controlled-release materials was carried out using essential bark oil from Thujopsis dolabrata var. hondae and synthetic L-LA random copolymers as a base material under scCO2. The impregnation experiment, which investigated the influence of pressure, was conducted in the range of 10 to 20 MPa. The influence of temperature on impregnation was carried out at 40°C to 100°C. Impregnation time was varied from 1 to 5 h. The pressure of essential oil impregnated into poly(L-LA) random copolymers was the highest at 14 MPa. In the influence of temperature on impregnation, the amount of essential oil increased with increasing temperature.

Preparation and Swelling Behavior of L-Lactide Interpenetrating Networks

Novel triblock copolymers of poly (L-lactide)-poly (ethylene glycol)-sebacate-poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (L-lactide) were synthesized by Ring-Opening Polymerization of different ratios of L-lactide with other three pre-prepared poly (ethylene glycol)-sebacate-poly (ethylene glycol) polymers, coded A, B and C which had different poly (ethyleneglycol) chain lengths. The copolymers were characterized by FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopy, which indicated that the reaction of ROP took place and led to producing nine triblock copolymers having new different lactide chain lengths (n = 10, 25 and 50), AL10, AL25, AL50,BL10, BL25, BL50, CL10, CL25, and CL50. Nine polymer networks were also prepared from copolymers with sodium alginate S1 - S9 and finally mixed with a solution of hydroxyl ethyl cellulose to form SH1 - SH9.

Biodegradable Blend Nanoparticles of Amphiphilic Diblock Copolymers Prepared by Nano-Precipitation Method

Nanoparticles of biodegradable methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-polyester amphiphilic diblock copolymers have widely investigated for use as controlled release drug delivery carriers. In this work, blend nanoparticles of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(D,L-lactide) (MPEG-b-PDLL) and methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone) (MPEG- b-PCL) were prepared by nano-precipitation method without any surfactants. 1H-NMR spectra showed significant difference in integral peak areas, suggesting the nanoparticles with different MPEG-b-PDLL/MPEG-b-PCL blend ratios can be prepared. Transmission electron microscope revealed the blend nanoparticles had nearly spherical in shape with smooth surface. Average size of the blend nanoparticles obtained from light-scattering analysis slightly decreased with increase in blend ratio of MPEG-b-PCL. The MPEG-b-PDLL and MPEG-b-PCL were amorphous and semi-crystalline, respectively. Thermal transition properties of the blend nanoparticles were studied with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The DSC results showed that glass transition temperatures of the blend nanoparticles decreased and heats of melting steadily increased, while the melting temperature did not change as the MPEG-b-PCL blend ratio increased. This indicates the miscibility of MPEG-b-PDLL and MPEG-b-PCL in the amorphous phase of the blend nanoparticles. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the blend nanoparticles clearly exhibited two thermal decomposition steps due to MPEG-b-PDLL decomposition followed with MPEG-b-PCL. The blend nanoparticles had two temperatures of maximum decomposition rate (Td, max) accorded to each blend component. The Td, max of MPEG-b- PDLL phase significantly decreased, while Td, max of MPEG-b-PCL phase did not change as the MPEG-b-PCL blend ratio increased. These results suggested that the desired thermal properties of blend nanoparticles can be tailored by varying the blend ratio.

Synthesis of L-Aspartic Acid and Lactone Copolymers

Biodegradable poly(alc-alt-Asp) was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of the monomer 3-(S)-[(benzyloxycarbonyl)methyl] -morpholine-2, 5-dione and subsequent catalytic hydrogenation. Copolymers of the monomer with glycolide, D,L-lactide and L-lactide were also prepared.

铋/锡催化L-丙交酯与乙交酯本体开环共聚

为探究金属催化剂辛酸亚锡(Sn(Oct)_(2))与次水杨酸铋(BiSS)对L-丙交酯(L-LA)与乙交酯(GA)本体开环聚合(ROP)反应过程及产物性能的影响,使用不同含量的Sn(Oct)_(2)或BiSS合成一系列聚丙交酯-乙交酯共聚物(PLGA)。通过核磁共振波谱仪、傅里叶变换红外光谱仪、凝胶渗透色谱仪对聚合物的微观结构、聚合反应动力学和相对分子质量进行了表征,借助热重分析仪和差示扫描量热仪对聚合物的热性能进行了分析。结果表明,BiSS是一种非常有吸引力的催化剂,在ROP制备PLGA共聚物中获得了与Sn(Oct)_(2)类似的结果,其催化性能可与Sn(Oct)_(2)相媲美。BiSS催化制备的PLGA的热稳定性显著提高,例如,1000×10^(-6)Bi催化制备的PLGA73在氮气氛围下的T_(5)%和T_(90)%分别为269.6℃和379.2℃,相较于Sn(Oct)_(2)分别升高了36℃和82.7℃。由BiSS催化制备的PLGA链段具有更高的随机性和更短的L-LA序列长度。BiSS可以替代商业使用的Sn(Oct)_(2)用于生产生物医学领域应用的低毒性PLGA。

乳酸-乙醇酸共聚物(PLGA)制备方法研究进展

作为一种生物可降解聚合物,乳酸-乙醇酸共聚物(PLGA)具有良好的生物可降解性及生物相容性,毒性低,在医疗领域有较高的应用价值,因此对PLGA制备方法的研究具有重要意义。总结了PLGA的制备方法,分别为开环聚合法、直接缩聚法及酶促聚合法,还总结了PLGA的应用,最后对PLGA的研究方向进行了展望。

星型PLLA-PEG嵌段共聚物纤维膜的制备及其亲水性能

星型结构相比较于线型结构具有更稳定的形态和更优异的力学性能。选用季戊四醇(PET)为引发剂,辛酸亚锡(Sn(Oct)_(2))为催化剂,通过L-丙交酯(L-LA)的开环聚合(ROP)制备星型端羟基聚(L-丙交酯)(s-PLLA),并与聚乙二醇(PEG,相对分子质量为1000)缩合制备四臂星型聚(L-丙交酯)-聚乙二醇共聚物(s-PLLA-PEG)。采用^(1)H-核磁共振、^(13)C-核磁共振、傅里叶变换红外光谱、超高效聚合物色谱仪对产物进行表征,并用静电纺丝技术制备s-PLLA-PEG纤维膜进行亲水性能测试。结果表明:s-PLLA-PEG共聚物被成功合成;相对于s-PLLA,s-PLLA-PEG的熔体温度和玻璃化转变温度降低,柔韧性得到改善,韧性增强;s-PLLA-PEG纤维膜对水的接触角是84.10°,随着时间的推移,接触角逐渐减小,最终水被纤维膜完全吸收,相比较s-PLLA纤维膜具有更强的亲水性。该研究表明,PEG嵌段的引入可以有效改善s-PLLA纤维膜的亲水性,展现出静电纺s-PLLA-PEG纤维膜在医用敷料领域的应用前景。

Restoration of rat calvarial defects by poly(lactide-co-glycolide)/hydroxyapatite scaffolds loaded with bone mesenchymal stem cells and DNA complexes

A composite construct comprising of a bone mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) sheet, plasmid DNA, encoding human bone morphogenic protein-2 (hBMP-2), and poly(lactide-co-glycolide)/hydroxyapatite (PLGA/HA) sponge was designed and employed in the restoration of rat calvarial defects. To improve gene transfection efficiency, a cationic chitosan derivative, N,N,N,-trimethyl chitosan chloride (TMC), was employed as the vector. The TMC/DNA complexes had a transfection efficiency of 13% in rat BMSCs, resulting in heterogeneous hBMP-2 expression in a 10-d culture period in vitro. In vivo culture of the composite constructs was performed by implantation into rat full-thickness calvarial defects, using constructs lacking pDNA-hBMP-2 or BMSC sheets as controls. Significantly higher heterogeneous expression of hBMP-2 was detected in vivo at 2 weeks for the cell sheet/DNA complex/scaffold constructs, compared with the constructs lacking pDNA-hBMP-2 or BMSC sheets. New bone formation was evident as early as 4 weeks in the experimental constructs. At 8 weeks, partial bridging of calvarial defects was observed in the experimental constructs, which was significantly better than the constructs lacking pDNA-hBMP-2 or BMSC sheets. Therefore, the combination of the PLGA/HA scaffold with BMSC sheets and gene therapy vectors is effective at enhancing bone formation.

A convenient method to prepare random LA/CL copolymers from poly(L-lactide) and ε-caprolactone

Sequential addition of L-lactide(LA) followed by ε-caprolactone(CL), and simultaneous addition of both monomers, afforded random LA/CL copolymers in the presence of lanthanide aryloxides under mild conditions. Transesterification was proved to play a predominant role in random copolymer formation. Moreover, treatment of poly(L-lactide) with ε-CL led to random copolymer formation, which provides a new strategy not only to prepare random LA/CL copolymers, but also to directly modify PLLA.

Effect of poly（DL-lactide-co-glycolide） on scar formation after glaucoma filtration surgery

Background Glaucoma filtering surgery （GFS） is the most common procedure performed in the treatment of glaucoma.Although antiscarring agents help prevent postsurgical scarring and improve glaucoma surgical outcomes,they may be associated with an increased incidence of severe and potentially blinding complications.Poly（DL-lactide-co-glycolide） （PDLLA/GA） is a bioresorbable polymer,which can be prepared with a large range of physical,mechanical,and biological properties and has been widely used in medicine,including as an absorbable suture and a drug carrier and especially as a scaffold in tissue engineering.This study aimed to evaluate the effect of PDLLA/GA on scar formation after glaucoma filtration surgery （GFS）.Methods Forty-eight New Zealand white rabbits were divided into two groups randomly and GFS was performed on the right eye of each.PDLLA/GA membranes were put under the sclera flap for evaluation.GFS with no membrane inserted served as control.Clinical evaluations of intraocular pressure （lOP） and the presence of a filtration bleb were performed at intervals （3 days,1,2,4,8,12,20,and 24 weeks） postoperatively.At each time point,three eyes per group were excised to observe histological changes such as inflammation and scar formation and the expression of collagen type Ⅳ,proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA）,matrix metalloproteinase-9 （MMP-9）,and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 （TIMP-1）.The expression of connective tissue growth factor （CTGF） mRNA was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.Results The lower lOP level and an effective bleb were maintained for a long time after GFS in the PDLLA/GA group.The histological analysis showed less inflammation and scar formation,weaker expression of collagen type Ⅳ and PCNA,more intense MMP-9 and TIMP-1,slightly elevated ratio of MMP-9 and TIMP-1,and a smaller increase in CTGF mRNA postoperatively in the PDLLA/GA group but less than the control group （P ＜0.05）.Conclusion PDLLA/GA membranes may be promising for preventing fibrosis after GFS.

Prevention of Postoperative Tendon Adhesion by Biodegradable Electrospun Membrane of Poly(lactide-co-glycolide)

An electrospun poly（lactide-co-glycolide） （PLGA） membrane was prepared and used to perform the anti-adhesion of Achilles tendon. Throughout the experiments, the membrane showed an appropriate degradation rate, and the pH values of degradation media were maintained at around 7.4. Simultaneously, the excellent biocompatibility of the membrane in vitro and in vivo was confirmed by live/dead and histopathological analyses. Meanwhile, the membrane can reduce tendon adhesion significantly and promote functional recovery effectively. The encouraging results were further demonstrated by hematoxylin and eosin （H＆E）, and Masson＇s trichrome stainings, and type I collagen immunohistochemical analysis. It was concluded that the model treated with the electrospun PLGA membrane was significantly better with respect to the adhesion prevention and tissue repair than that without treatment. Considering the results of degradation and adhesion prevention efficacy, the electrospun PLGA membrane would be a great candidate for the prevention of postoperative tendon adhesion.

STUDIES ON THE DEGRADATION OF POLY(L-LACTIDE-r-TRIMETHENE CARBONATE) COPOLYMERS

Biodegradable poly（L-lactide-r-trimethene carbonate） copolymers （P（LLA-co-TMC）） with different compositions were synthesized. The degradation of the copolymers was carried out in phosphate buffer saline solutions （pH = 7.4） at 37℃. The compositions, structure and properties of the copolymers in degradation were characterized with IH-NMR, DSC, XRD, GPC, and SEM. The weight loss of the P（LLA-co-TMC） 50/50 was much faster than that of P（LLA-co-TMC） 85/15 and PLLA homopolymer. Interestingly, though the molecular weight of the compolymers decreased greatly during degradation, the compositions were rarely varied. After long time degradation, the PLLA segments were induced to crystallize in the P（LLA-co-TMC） 85/15 copolymer. The SEM observation of the surface and cross-section of P（LLA-co- TMC） 85/15 copolymer films found it was similar to the bulk degradation of PLLA homopolymer.