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Chromatographic characteristics of cholesterol-imprinted polymers prepared by covalent and non-covalent imprinting methods.

Cholesterol-imprinted polymers were prepared in bulk polymerization by the methods of covalent and non-covalent imprinting. The former involved the use of a template-containing monomer, cholesteryl (4-vinyl)phenyl carbonate, while the latter used the complexes of template and functional monomer, methacrylic acid or 4-vinylpyridine prior to polymerization. Columns packed with these molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were all able to separate cholesterol from other steroids. For different combinations of cholesterol and beta-estradiol concentrations in a total of 1 g/l, the peak retention times for both compounds were nearly constant. The adsorption capacity for cholesterol onto the MIPs was found to significantly depend on the use of functional monomers, but the selectivity factors were only slightly different from each other at 2.9 to 3.2 since the separation was all based on the specific binding of cholesterol to recognition sites formed on the imprinted polymers. The capacity factors for cholesterol were determined to be 3.5, 4.0 and 3.1, respectively, for covalently imprinted, 4-vinylpyridine-based, and methacrylic acid-based non-covalently imprinted polymers. However, the covalently imprinted polymer was found to have a higher adsorption capacity for cholesterol and about fivefold higher chromatographic efficiency for cholesterol separation, in comparison with non-covalently imprinted polymers. The use of covalent imprinting significantly reduced the peak broadening and tailing. This advantage along with constant retention suggests that the covalently imprinted polymer has potential for quantitative analysis.

Adsorption↗

Polymer impact on filter blinding during alum sludge filtration.

This paper describes an experimental investigation into the factors which control clogging phenomenon of the filter medium during alum sludge filtration under conditions of excess polymer dosing. Preliminary studies showed that the hydraulic resistance of the filter medium was associated with the amount of polymer trapped, but was not uniquely determined by the quantity of polymer trapped in the filter. Subsequent investigations showed that filter blinding can arise from the interaction of residual polymer and a colloidal fraction. When either of these components was missing, the trapping efficiency of the filter was low. In particular, the study demonstrated that polymer coatings on the filter did not have any significant impact on the hydraulic resistance. Evidence indicated that clogging and polymer trapping was particle size driven, the aggregate size being dependent on the polymer dose. Diagnosis of trends in the filter resistance suggested that they were being influenced by polymer/colloidal solids ratio through its effects on particle size.

Alum Compounds↗

A novel mucoadhesive polymer prepared by template polymerization of acrylic acid in the presence of chitosan.

A novel mucoadhesive polymer was prepared by template polymerization of acrylic acid in the presence of chitosan for transmucosal drug delivery system (TMD). FT-IR results indicated that polymer complex was formed between poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and chitosan through hydrogen bonding. Glass transition temperature (Tg) of chitosan and PAA in the PAA/chitosan polymer complexes was inner-shifted compared with Tg of chitosan and PAA itself. This may be due to the increased miscibility of PAA with chitosan through the hydrogen bonding. The crystallinity of chitosan in the PAA/chitosan polymer complexes was decreased with polymer complex formation with PAA. The dissolution rate of the PAA/chitosan polymer complex was dependent on pH and ratio of PAA/chitosan. The mucoadhesive force of PAA/chitosan polymer complex was similar to a commericial product, Carbopol 971P NF.

Acrylates↗

Preparation of nanoparticles composed with bioinspired 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine polymer.

The poly(L-lactic acid) nanoparticles immobilized with 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) polymer, which has excellent blood compatibility, were prepared by a solvent evaporation technique using the water-soluble amphiphilic MPC polymer as an emulsifier and a surface modifier. The diameter and zeta-potential of the obtained nanoparticles strongly depended on the concentration of the MPC polymer. When the nanoparticles were prepared in 1.0 mg/ml of an MPC polymer aqueous solution, the diameter was 221 nm which was determined by atomic force microscopy and dynamic light scattering measurements. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis indicated that the phosphorylcholine groups of the MPC unit were located at the surface of the nanoparticles, that is, the MPC polymer was immobilized on the PLA particles and the surface zeta-potential was -2.5 mV. Various hydrophobic fluorescence probes could permeate through the MPC polymer layer and adsorb on the PLA surface. The amount of bovine serum albumin adsorbed on the nanoparticles was significantly smaller compared with that on the conventional polystyrene nanoparticles. It is suggested that the nanoparticles immobilized with the MPC polymer have the potential for use as both a novel drug carrier and diagnostic reagent which can come in contact with blood components.

Adsorption↗

Thiolated polymers--thiomers: development and in vitro evaluation of chitosan-thioglycolic acid conjugates.

The aim of this study was to improve mucoadhesive properties of chitosan by the covalent attachment of thiol moieties to this cationic polymer. Mediated by a carbodiimide, thioglycolic acid (TGA) was covalently attached to chitosan. This was achieved by the formation of amide bonds between the primary amino groups of the polymer and the carboxylic acid group of TGA. Dependent on the pH-value and the weight ratio of polymer to TGA during the coupling reaction the resulting thiolated polymers, the so-called thiomers, displayed 6.58, 9.88, 27.44, and 38.23 micromole thiol groups per gram polymer. Tensile studies carried out with these chitosan-TGA conjugates on freshly excised porcine intestinal mucosa demonstrated a 6.3-, 8.6-, 8.9-, and 10.3-fold increase in the total work of adhesion (TWA) compared to the unmodified polymer, respectively. In contrast, the combination of chitosan and free unconjugated TGA showed almost no mucoadhesion. These data were in good correlation with further results obtained by another mucoadhesion test demonstrating a prolonged residence time of thiolated chitosan on porcine mucosa. The swelling behavior of all conjugates was thereby exactly in the same range as for an unmodified polymer pretreated in the same way. Furthermore, it could be shown that chitosan-TGA conjugates are still biodegradable by the glycosidase lysozyme. According to these results. chitosan-TGA conjugates represent a promising tool for the development of mucoadhesive drug delivery systems.

Adhesiveness↗

Release of triamcinolone acetonide from mucoadhesive polymer composed of chitosan and poly(acrylic acid) in vitro.

Transmucosal drug delivery (TMD) system using mucoadhesive polymer has been recently interested due to the rapid onset of action, high blood level, avoidance of the first-pass effect and the exposure of the drug to the gastrointestinal tract. A novel mucoadhesive polymer complex composed of chitosan and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) was prepared by template polymerization of acrylic acid in the presence of chitosan for the TMD system. Triamcinolone acetonide (TAA) was loaded into the chitosan/PAA polymer complex film. TAA was evenly dispersed in chitosan, PAA polymer complex film without interaction with polymer complex. Release behavior of TAA from the mucoadhesive polymer film was dependent on time, pH, loading content of drug, and chitosan PAA ratio. The analysis of the drug release from the mucoadhesive film showed that TAA might be released from the chitosan/PAA polymer complex film through non-Fickian diffusion mechanism.

Acrylic Resins↗

The biocompatibility of novel starch-based polymers and composites: in vitro studies.

Studies with biodegradable starch-based polymers have recently demonstrated that these materials have a range of properties. which make them suitable for use in several biomedical applications, ranging from bone plates and screws to drug delivery carriers and tissue engineering scaffolds. The aim of this study was to screen the cytotoxicity and evaluate starch-based polymers and composites as potential biomaterials. The biocompatibility of two different blends of corn-starch, starch ethylene vinyl alcohol (SEVA-C) and starch cellulose acetate (SCA) and their respective composites with hydroxyapatite (HA) was assessed by cytotoxicity and cell adhesion tests. The MTT assay was performed with the extracts of the materials in order to evaluate the short-term effect of the degradation products. The cell morphology of L929 mouse fibroblast cell line was also analysed after direct contact with polymers and composites for different time periods and the number of cells adhered to the surface of the polymers was determined by quantification of the cytosolic lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. Both types of starch-based polymers exhibit a cytocompatibility that might allow for their use as biomaterials. SEVA-C blends were found to be the less cytotoxic for the tested cell line, although cells adhere better to SCA surface. The cytotoxicity test also revealed that SCA and SEVA-C composites have a similar response to the one obtained for SCA polymer. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed that cells were much more spread on the SCA polymer and LDH measurements showed a higher number of cells on this surface.

Animals↗

Polyurethane surfaces modified by amphiphilic polymers: effects on protein adsorption.

Surface modification of polyurethane (PUR) surfaces was carried out by using three different amphiphilic polymers. Two of the polymers were graft copolymers, having backbones consisting of poly(methyl methacrylate-co-ethylhexyl acrylate) and poly(styrene-co-acrylamide), respectively, and poly(ethylene oxide) PEO 2000 grafts. The third polymer was a commercially available poly(ethylene oxide-b-propylene oxide-b-ethylene oxide) block copolymer, Pluronic 9400. The polymers were designated ACRY, STY2, and PE94, respectively. Surface modification was achieved by adsorption of the amphiphilic polymers at PUR surfaces from an aqueous solution, or by blending the amphiphiles into a PUR solution, followed by solution casting of films. The accumulation of the amphiphilic polymers at the PUR surfaces was observed by XPS and contact angle measurements. The ACRY and PE94 polymers were shown to adsorb poorly at the PUR surface, but gave strong surface effects when present in the PUR matrix. Protein adsorption was measured under static as well as under flow conditions. The modified surfaces had generally lower adsorption of blood proteins (HSA, Fg and IgG) than the unmodified PUR surfaces. ACRY blend modified surfaces had the lowest adsorption.

Adsorption↗

A direct-staining method to evaluate the mucoadhesion of polymers from aqueous dispersion.

A novel technique to evaluate polymer adhesion to human buccal cells following exposure to aqueous polymer dispersion, both in vitro and in vivo, is described. Adhering polymer has been visualised by staining with 0.1% (w/v) of either Alcian blue (60 min) or Eosin (10 min) solution, uncomplexed dye being removed by 0.25 M sucrose washings. The extent of polymer adhesion was quantified by measuring the relative staining intensity of control and polymer-treated cells by image analysis. In vitro, Carbopol 974P, polycarbophil (Noveon AA-1) and chitosan (CL 113) were found to adhere to human buccal cells from 0.10% (w/w) aqueous dispersions of these polymers. Following in vivo administration as a mouthwash, these polymers persisted upon the human buccal mucosa for at least 1 h.

Adhesiveness↗

Thermosensitive polymers as carriers for DNA delivery.

Copolymers of 2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and N-isopropylacryl amide (NIPAAm) of various monomer ratios and molecular weights were evaluated as carrier systems for DNA delivery. All copolymers, even with a low DMAEMA content of 15 mol%, were able to bind to DNA at 25 degrees C. Light-scattering measurements indicate that complexation is accompanied by precipitation of the (co)polymer in the complex caused by a drop of the lower critical solution temperature of the (co)polymer. The (co)polymer/plasmid ratio at which complexes with a size of around 200 nm were formed increased with increasing NIPAAm content of the copolymer and was independent of molecular weight of the (co)polymer. However, complexes containing (co)polymers of low molecular weight or high NIPAAm content prepared at 25 degrees C aggregated rapidly when the temperature was raised to 37 degrees C, whereas complexes containing (co)polymers of high molecular weight or lower NIPAAm content were relatively stable at 37 degrees C. The zeta potential of the complexes was also independent of molecular weight of the (co)polymer and increased with increasing (co)polymer/plasmid ratio until a plateau value was reached. The (co)polymer/plasmid ratio at which this plateau was reached increased with increasing NIPAAm content. The plateau values decreased from around 26 mV to around 13 mV when the NIPAAm content of the copolymer was increased from 0 to 85 mol%. The cytotoxicity of the complexes strongly decreased with increasing NIPAAm content and was independent of molecular weight of the (co)polymer. The transfection efficiency of complexes with poor stability was in general much lower than that of complexes with good stability. The transfection efficiency as a function of the (co)polymer/plasmid ratio showed a bell-shaped curve. The (co)polymer/plasmid ratio at which the transfection efficiency was maximal increased with increasing NIPAAm content, while the maximum transfection efficiency strongly decreased with increasing NIPAAm content of the copolymer. The results of this study show that the formation of stable (co)polymer/plasmid complexes with a size of around 200 nm is a prerequisite for efficient transfection. Furthermore, the transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity strongly decreased with decreasing zeta potential. Therefore, besides the size, the zeta potential can also be used as a characteristic to predict the behavior of this type of (co)polymer/plasmid complexes in transfection. Copolymers of DMAEMA and NIPAAm provided with a homing device may be interesting carrier systems for gene targeting because these copolymers can condense DNA to small particles, and the resulting complexes show a low cytotoxicity and aspecific transfection.

Acrylamides↗

The design and synthesis of polymers for eukaryotic membrane disruption.

The intracellular trafficking of drugs is critical to the efficacy of drugs that are susceptible to attack by lysosomal enzymes. It is therefore an important goal to design and synthesize molecules which can enhance the transport of endocytosed drugs from the endosomal compartments to the cytoplasm. The pH of an endosome is lower than that of the cytosol by one to two pH units, depending on the stage of endosomal development. This pH gradient is a key factor in the design of membrane-disruptive polymers which could enhance the endosomal release of drugs. Such polymers should disrupt lipid bilayer membranes at pH 6.5 and below, but should be non-lytic at pH 7.4. We have designed and synthesized pH-sensitive synthetic polymers which efficiently disrupt red blood cells within a sharply defined pH range. One of these polymers, poly(ethyl acrylic acid) (PEAAc) has been previously shown to disrupt synthetic vesicles in a pH-dependent fashion [6]. PEAAc hemolyzes red blood cells with an activity of 10(7) molecules per red blood cell, which is as efficient on a molar basis as the peptide melittin. The mechanism of RBC hemolysis by PEAAc is consistent with the colloid osmotic mechanism. PEAAc's hemolytic activity rises rapidly as the pH decreases from 6.3 to 5.0, and there is no hemolytic activity at pH 7.4. A related polymer, poly(propyl acrylic acid) (PPAAc), was synthesized to test whether making the pendant alkyl group more hydrophobic by adding one methylene group would increase the hemolytic activity. PPAAc was found to disrupt red blood cells 15 times more efficiently than PEAAc at pH 6.1. PPAAc was also not active at pH 7.4 and displayed a pH-dependent hemolysis that was shifted toward higher pH's. Random 1:1 copolymers of ethyl acrylate (EA) and acrylic acid (AAc) (which contain random -COOH and -C(2)H(5) groups that are present and regularly repeat in PEAAc) also displayed significant hemolytic activity, with an efficiency close to PEAAc. These results demonstrate that pH-sensitive synthetic polymers can be molecularly engineered to efficiently disrupt eukaryotic membranes within defined and narrow pH ranges. Thus, these polymers might serve as endosomal disruptive agents with specificities for early or late endosomes.

Cell Membrane↗

Evaluation of matrices containing molecularly imprinted polymers in the enantioselective-controlled delivery of beta-blockers.

Granules and beads of methacrylic acid (MAA) and granules of N-acryloyl-alanine polymer (NAA) were produced using ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as cross-linking monomer either by bulk (in the case of granules) or suspension (in the case of beads) polymerization. Either R- or S-propranolol, were used as an imprint molecule, acting as a template, with a view to conferring enantioselectivity of release upon the polymer. The molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) or nonMIPs (control) were formulated with racemic propranolol and other excipients and compressed to form matrix tablets. Enantioselective release of propranolol in vitro was monitored using a stereoselective HPLC assay. The influence of the method of polymer synthesis, drug: polymer ratio, pH and temperature on the release of the two enantiomers was determined. Stereoselectivity of release was identified in tablets containing either MAA or NAA granules or MAA beads, with the latter showing the greatest differences between enantiomers. Release of the enantiomer used as the print was always faster than the release of the nonprint enantiomer. In the case of S-propranolol-MIP bead matrices composed of MAA, greater differences in the release of enantiomers could be promoted by increasing the polymer: drug ratio of the tablet. Differences in the release rate of the two propranolol enantiomers was still apparent as the pH was varied between 3 and 7.4 and when the temperature was decreased from 37 to 25 degrees C. S-Propranolol-MIP bead matrices demonstrated cross-reactivities of stereoselective dissolution for enantiomers of pindolol and oxprenolol, both of which have structural similarities to the imprint molecule. It is concluded that polymers of this type may have great potential in controlling, via means of formulation, the release of drug eutomer whilst enhancing retention of distomer in the dosage form.

Acrylates↗

Combinatorial chemistry and biomedical polymer development.

Polymers are ubiquitous components of products manufactured for medical and pharmaceutical applications. Widely used commodity polymers were the first polymers to be utilised in biomedical applications. These polymers were not developed with biocompatibility established at the onset and many speciality polymers have been developed in recent years to begin to meet the multifaceted demands for medical development, the optimisation of structure-property correlations and ultimately, clinical use. In the broader area of materials research, combinatorial or high throughput strategies used for drug development are recognised to have potential for discovery and process development. Much of the application of combinatorial chemistry in drugs research has been dependent on the use of polymeric reagents, substrates and supports. The chemistry of the reactions on polymers in solid and liquid phases have also played a major role in combinatorial drugs research. There is considerable interest in combinatorial materials research and this review outlines how this research may be applied for biomedical polymer development.

Animals↗

Using polymer solutions to enhance recovery of mobile coal tar and creosote DNAPLs.

Direct pumping and enhanced recovery of coal tar and creosote dense, non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) from the subsurface have had mixed results because these DNAPLs are viscous fluids that can potentially alter aquifer wettability. To improve the inefficiencies associated with waterflooding, the research presented here considered the use of a polymer solution that can be added to the injected flood solution to increase the viscosity and decrease the velocity of the flooding solution. Results from one-dimensional, vertically oriented laboratory column experiments that evaluate the recovery of coal-derived DNAPL with both water and polymer flooding solutions are presented. The final DNAPL saturation remaining in the column was assessed in water and oil-wet systems for three viscous DNAPLs. Adding polymer to increase the aqueous solution viscosity did not have a significant impact in water-wet systems. A final DNAPL saturation of approximately 19% was achieved for both water and polymer floods. In contrast, the addition of polymer significantly improved recovery in oil-wet systems. The final saturation was over 40% in oil-wet systems after waterflooding, but approximately 19% with a polymer flushing solution. Although the final saturation produced with polymer flooding was similar between the oil- and water-wet systems, differences in the relative permeability and distribution of DNAPL in the porous matrix caused the DNAPL recovery to be much slower in the oil-wet system.

Coal Tar↗

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) co-polymer films as potential vehicles for delivery of an antimitotic agent to vascular smooth muscle cells.

INTRODUCTION: Local delivery of antimitotic agents is a potential therapeutic strategy for protection of injured coronary vasculature against intimal hyperplasia and restenosis. This study sought to establish the principle that thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) co-polymer films can be used to deliver, in a controlled manner, an antimitotic agent to vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). METHODS: A series of co-polymer films was prepared, using varying ratios (w/w) of N-isopropylacrylamide (NiPAAm) monomer to N-tert-butylacrylamide (NtBAAm) and loaded with the antimitotic agent colchicine (100 nmol/film) at room temperature. RESULTS: The extent of colchicine release at 37 degrees C was inversely proportional to the amount of NtBAAm in co-polymer films: release after 48 h from 85:15, 65:35 and 50:50 (NiPAAm:NtBAAm) films was 26, 17 and 0.5 nmol, respectively. In cytotoxicity studies, when medium incubated with co-polymers for 24 h (in the absence of colchicine) was further incubated with target bovine aortic smooth muscle cells (BASMC), no loss of cell viability occurred. Colchicine released from all three co-polymer films significantly inhibited proliferation and random migration of BASMC: 100 nM colchicine (released from 65:35 NiPAAm:NtBAAm) reduced cell proliferation to 25.7+/-1.7% of levels seen in the absence of colchicine (control) and random cell migration to 37.7+/-5.7% of control (mean+/-S.E.M., n = 3, P < .01 and P < .05, respectively). The magnitudes of these effects were comparable to those seen in separate experiments with native colchicine and were observed in samples of released colchicine which had been stored at -20 degrees C for up to 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown that the release of the antimitotic agent colchicine, from NiPAAm/NtBAAm co-polymer films can be manipulated by changes in co-polymer composition. Furthermore, such drug released at 37 degrees C retains comparable bioactivity to that of native colchicine.

Acrylamides↗

Recent developments in biodegradable synthetic polymers.

This chapter reviews recent developments in biodegradable synthetic polymers focusing on tailoring polymer structures to meet material specification for emerging applications such as tissue engineered products and therapies. Major classes and new families of synthetic polymers are discussed with regard to synthesis, properties and biodegradability, and known degradation modes and products are summarized based on studies reported during the past 10-15 years. Polyesters and their copolymers, polyurethanes, polyphosphazenes, polyanhydrides, polycarbonates, polyesteramides and recently developed injectable polymer systems based on polypropylenefumarates, polyurethanes and acrylate/urethane systems are reviewed. Polyesters such as polyglycolides, polylactides and their copolymers still remain as the major class of synthetic biodegradable polymers with products in clinical use. Although various copolymerization methods have addressed needs of different applications, release of acidic degradation products, processing difficulties and limited range of mechanical properties remains as major disadvantages of this family of polymers. Injectable polymers based on urethane and urethane/acrylate have shown great promise in developing delivery systems for tissue engineered products and therapies.

Absorbable Implants↗

Immobilization method for the preparation of biosensors based on pH shift-induced deposition of biomolecule-containing polymer films.

Miniaturization of amperometric biosensors is crucially dependent on the availability of methods for the nonmanual immobilization of biological recognition elements on the transducer surface. From an aqueous polymer suspension, the precipitation of a polymer film with entrapped biological recognition elements is initiated by electrochemically induced oxidation of H20 at the electrode surface. Using the locally generated H+ gradient, acidic side chains of the polymer are titrated, leading to a change in the polymer solubility and hence to the controlled deposition of a polymer film. To investigate the properties and limitations of this immobilization technology, the specific features of a glucose biosensor based on polymer-entrapped glucose oxidase and amperometric detection of enzymatically generated H202 were investigated. Besides the reproducibility of the immobilization procedure, the sensitivity (14.59 mA cm(-2) M(-1) at pH 7), long-term stability (up to 5000 measurements in a sequential-injection analyzer), dependence on enzyme concentration, polymer thickness, and possibilities to fabricate multilayer sensor architectures were exploited. In addition, the miniaturization potential of this nonmanual immobilization technology was evaluated by investigating the modification of microband electrode arrays and cross talk between the neighboring microsensors.

Aspergillus niger↗

Intrinsic viscosity of polymers and biopolymers measured by microchip.

Intrinsic viscosity provides insight to molecular structure and interactions in solution. A new microchip method is described for fast and accurate measurements of viscosity and intrinsic viscosity of polymer and biopolymer solutions. Polymer samples are diluted with solvent in the microfluidic chip by imposing pressure gradients across the channel network. The concentration and flow dilutions of the polymer sample are calculated from the fluorescent signals recorded over a range of dilutions. The viscosities at various polymer dilutions are evaluated using mass and momentum balances in the pressure-driven microchannel flow. The technique is particularly important to many chemical, biological, and medical applications where sample is available in very small quantities. The intrinsic viscosity experiments were performed for three classes of polymer solutions: (a) poly(ethylene glycol), polymers with linear hydrocarbon chains; (b) bovine serum albumin, biopolymer chains with hydrophobic and hydrophilic amino acids, and (c) DNA fragments, biological macromolecules with double-stranded polymeric chains. The measured values of intrinsic viscosity agree remarkably well with the available data obtained using different methods. The data exhibit power law behavior for molecular weight as described by the Mark-Houwink-Sakurada equation. Experiments were performed to understand the effect of solvent quality and salt concentration on molecular conformations and the intrinsic viscosity of the polymers. This method offers a new way to study the conformational changes in proteins and DNA solutions in various buffer conditions such as pH, ionic strength, and surfactants. The effects of shear rate in the microchannel and mixing time on the accuracy and limitation of the measurement method are discussed.

Animals↗