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Study of poly(acrylamide) and poly(acrylamide-co-itaconic acid) hydrogels loaded with antibiotic and calcium

Abstract:

In this work hydrogels (HG) with potential applications in the treatment of bone infections were obtained from poly (acrylamide) and poly (acrylamide-co-itaconic acid). The HG were synthesized and characterized to determine their capacity for calcium absorption and antibiotic interaction. The hydrogels swelling degree was measured in deionized water and in calcium salts solutions. Also it was measured in a commercial antibiotic (Tygacil, Tigeciclina). Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) was used to analyze the aqueous calcium solutions. Hydrogels were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results obtained show evidence of an efficient reception of Ca2+ ions by the polymers, especially poly (acrylamide-co-itaconic acid) hydrogels containing 20% of itaconic acid. The porosity morphology revealed pore sizes ranging between 200 nm and 1600 nm, depending of the itaconic acid amount used in the hydrogel synthesis. Moreover interconnected pores were detected, which is important because it has been reported that an open porosity would be necessary to ensure rapid colonization when an implant is considered, with blood vessels and bone cells. © 2012 Universidad Simón Bolívar.