Controlled thermo-responsive hydrogels based on the stereocomplexed block of PLA-PEG-PLA for tissue engineering

Abstract

Nowadays one of the main causes of death is cardiovascular diseases, principally cardiac failure or myocardial infarction. As a result of these health disorders, scientists, especially those who specialize in bioengineering and tissue engineering, have carried out research to improve the lives of patients that suffer from heart problems. In recent years, various therapeutic strategies have been proposed to put an end to these illnesses. Their objective is a full recovery of the cardiac cells and at the same time attempting to avoid the dangerous surgeries. 2011 saw the appearance of hydrogels which are capable of creating an environment rich in lactate, suitable for the regeneration of these cells. These hydrogels are formed from the micelle mixture of two enantiomeric triblock copolymers, PLLA-PEG-PLLA and PDLA-PEG-PDLA. The stereo mixture of these copolymers displays some interesting characteristics such as biodegradable and biocompatible scaffolds, a high water-content, and mechanical features which are similar to soft muscle; these help to meet the desired need. In addition, these hydrogels exhibit a controllable sol-to-gel transition at a wide temperature range of 15-100˚C; hence, a transition to gel at body temperature can be achieved. Consequently, the principal objective of this work is to achieve the synthesis of the triblock and the micelles by applying a temperature ramp to obtain the gel. A subsequent characterization of this gel is done by performing NMR and DLS, in order to obtain information that can further understand of its characteristics and its potential therapeutic use in the near future