Polysaccharide-Based Hydrogels: The Key Role of Water in Affecting Mechanical Properties
Open Access
- 20 August 2012
- Vol. 4 (3), 1517-1534
- https://doi.org/10.3390/polym4031517
Abstract
Different hydrogels were prepared starting from natural or semi-synthetic polysaccharides (carboxymethylcellulose, hyaluronic acid and chitosan) which were cross-linked by the addition of a cross-linking agent chosen according to the chemical groups present along the polymer chains. The cross-linking reaction allows for the formation of a three-dimensional network made of covalent bonds between the polymer chains, which is stable under physiological conditions. The presence of a substantial amount of water within the polysaccharide matrices makes such systems unique among hydrophilic gels. Water itself is responsible for some of their peculiar characteristics, one of which is their injectability which makes these hydrogels suitable for using as matrices for mini-invasive surgery and localized therapy.Keywords
This publication has 38 references indexed in Scilit:
- Chondrogenesis in injectable enzymatically crosslinked heparin/dextran hydrogelsJournal of Controlled Release, 2011
- Sodium carboxymethylcellulose scaffolds and their physicochemical effects on partial thickness wound healingInternational Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2011
- Biological effects of hyaluronan in connective tissues, eye, skin, venous wall. Role in agingPathologie Biologie, 2010
- Synthesis and characterization of hyaluronic acid–poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels via Michael addition: An injectable biomaterial for cartilage repairActa Biomaterialia, 2010
- Inter-penetrating hydrogels (IPHs) as a new class of injectable polysaccharide hydrogels with thixotropic nature and interesting mechanical and biological propertiesSoft Matter, 2010
- Development of photocrosslinked methylcellulose hydrogels for soft tissue reconstructionActa Biomaterialia, 2009
- Polysaccharide hydrogels for modified release formulationsJournal of Controlled Release, 2007
- Experimental approaches to hyaluronan structureCarbohydrate Research, 2005
- The N-acylation of chitosan fibre and the N-deacetylation of chitin fibre and chitin–cellulose blended fibre at a solid stateCarbohydrate Polymers, 1999
- Cellular events in the uptake and degradation of hyaluronanAdvanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 1991