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Publication
PVA-Based Hydrogels Loaded with Diclofenac for Cartilage Replacement
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels have been widely studied for cartilage replacement due
to their biocompatibility, chemical stability, and ability to be modified such that they approximate
natural tissue behavior. Additionally, they may also be used with advantages as local drug delivery
systems. However, their properties are not yet the most adequate for such applications. This work
aimed to develop new PVA-based hydrogels for this purpose, displaying improved tribomechani-
cal properties with the ability to control the release of diclofenac (DFN). Four types of PVA-based
hydrogels were prepared via freeze-thawing: PVA, PVA/PAA (by polyacrylic acid (PAA) addition),
PVA/PAA+PEG (by polyethylene glycol (PEG) immersion), and PVA/PAA+PEG+A (by annealing).
Their morphology, water uptake, mechanical and rheological properties, wettability, friction coef-
ficient, and drug release behavior were accessed. The irritability of the best-performing material
was investigated. The results showed that the PAA addition increased the swelling and drug release
amount. PEG immersion led to a more compact structure and significantly improved the material’s
tribomechanical performance. The annealing treatment led to the material with the most suitable
properties: besides presenting a low friction coefficient, it further enhanced the mechanical properties
and ensured a controlled DFN release for at least 3 days. Moreover, it did not reveal irritability
potential for biological tissues.
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Citation
Branco, A. C., Oliveira, A. S., Monteiro, I., Nolasco, P., Silva, D. C., Figueiredo-Pina, C. G., Colaço, R., & Serro, A. P. (2022). PVA-Based Hydrogels Loaded with Diclofenac for Cartilage Replacement. Gels, 8(3), 143.