Abstract
A series of novel pH- and temperature-responsive multiblock copolymers (poly(PEG/HEP urethane)) consisting of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(amino urethane) (PAU) were synthesized, and their physicochemical properties were studied. The amphiphilic block copolymers were synthesized from PEG, 1,4-bis(hydroxyethyl) piperazine (HEP) and 1,6-diisocyanato hexamethylene (HDI) in the presence of dibutyltin dilaurate as a catalyst. The resulting polymers were examined by FT-IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopies and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The solution properties of the copolymers were studied by turbidity measurement and fluorescence spectroscopy. The copolymers showed a pH-dependent soluble-insoluble transition in diluted aqueous solutions. The concentrated polymer solutions exhibited a thermo-induced sol-gel-sol phase transition at pH 6.8-7.4. The gel window covers the physiological conditions. After a subcutaneous injection of the multiblock copolymer solution into mice, a transparent and soft gel was formed immediately. The in vitro release of a model anticancer drug, chlorambucil, persisted over 2 weeks under physiological conditions.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 4968-4973 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Polymer |
Volume | 49 |
Issue number | 23 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 30 2008 |
Externally published | Yes |
Funding
This work was supported by a “Korea Research Foundation Grant” (KRF-2006-005-J04602).
Funders | Funder number |
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National Research Foundation of Korea | KRF-2006-005-J04602 |
Keywords
- Injectable hydrogel
- Poly(amino urethane)
- Stimuli-sensitive polymers