Synthesis and characterization of thermosensitive and pH-sensitive poly (N-isopropylacrylamide-acrylamide-vinylpyrrolidone) for use in controlled release of naltrexone

Design of a dual pH and temperature responsive hydrogel based on esterified cellulose nanocrystals for potential drug release

In this study, new stimuli - responsive hybrid hydrogels were achieved via succinylated cellulose nanocrystals (Su-CNC). The innovation was concerned with the inclusion of Su-CNC, at different degree of substitution (DS), into hydrogel network to render it pH and thermo-responsive characters through free radical polymerization reaction with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm). The prepared hydrogel was also examined for the in vitro release of Famotidine at different pH values. As clearly evident from the results, all the hydrogels prepared with different DS of Su-CNC, which were nominated as Su-CNC / PNIPAm (1-3), showed a high response to temperature change since their swelling behavior and hydrophilicity were decreased at 35 °C and upwards. This led to the more hydrophobicity character and thus the hydrogel shrinkage occurred. On the other hand, at pH 6, the hydrogels exhibited a significant Equilibrium Swelling Ratio (ESR) attaining 18.1, 17.3 and 16.8 (g/g) for Su-CNC / PNIPAm (1-3), respectively. However, Su-CNC / PNIPAm 2 hydrogel showed a significant response to the pH change from 8 to 2 which was advised to be selected as a potential pH responsive hydrogel for the in vitro Famotidine release.

Cell sheet biofabrication by co-administration of mesenchymal stem cells secretome and vitamin C on thermoresponsive polymer

Cell sheet technology aims at replacement of artificial extracellular matrix (ECM) or scaffolds, popular in tissue engineering, with natural cell derived ECM. Adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) have the ability of ECM secretion and presented promising outcomes in clinical trials. As well, different studies found that secretome of ASCs could be suitable for triggering cell free regeneration induction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of using two bio-factors: secretome of ASCs (SE) and vitamin C (VC) for cell sheet engineering on a thermosensitive poly N-isopropyl acryl amide-Methacrylic acid (P(NIPAAm-MAA)) hydrogel. The results revealed that using thermosensitive P(NIPAAm-MAA) copolymer as matrix for cell sheet engineering lead to a rapid ON⁄OFF adhesion/deadhesion system by reducing temperature without enzymatic treatment (complete cell sheet release takes just 6 min). In addition, our study showed the potential of SE for inducing ASCs sheet formation. H&E staining exhibited the properties of a well-formed tissue layer with a dense ECM in sheets prepared by both SE and VC factors, as compared to those of VC or SE alone. Functional synergism of SE and VC exhibited statistically significant enhanced functionality regarding up-regulation of stemness genes expression, reduced β-galactosidase associated senescence, and facilitated sheet release. Additionally, alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), mineralized deposits and osteoblast matrix around cells confirmed a better performance of ostogenic differentiation of ASCs induced by VC and SE. It was concluded that SE of ASCs and VC could be outstanding biofactors applicable for cell sheet technology.

Synthesis and thermal degradation property study of N-vinylpyrrolidone and acrylamide copolymer

A series of acrylamide (AM) and N-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) copolymer with various NVP content were synthesised by free radical solution polymerization.

Controlled release of doxorubicin loaded within magnetic thermo-responsive nanocarriers under magnetic and thermal actuation in a microfluidic channel

We report a procedure to grow thermo-responsive polymer shells at the surface of magnetic nanocarriers made of multiple iron oxide superparamagnetic nanoparticles embedded in poly(maleic anhydride-alt-1-ocatadecene) polymer nanobeads. Depending on the comonomers and on their relative composition, tunable phase transition temperatures in the range between 26 and 47 °C under physiological conditions could be achieved. Using a suitable microfluidic platform combining magnetic nanostructures and channels mimicking capillaries of the circulatory system, we demonstrate that thermo-responsive nanobeads are suitable for localized drug delivery with combined thermal and magnetic activation. Below the critical temperature nanobeads are stable in suspension, retain their cargo, and cannot be easily trapped by magnetic fields. Increasing the temperature above the critical temperature causes the aggregation of nanobeads, forming clusters with a magnetic moment high enough to permit their capture by suitable magnetic gradients in close proximity to the targeted zone. At the same time the polymer swelling activates drug release, with characteristic times on the order of one hour for flow rates of the same order as those of blood in capillaries.

The thermosensitivity of pH/thermoresponsive microspheres activated by the electrostatic interaction of pH-sensitive units with a bioactive compound

pH/thermosensitive hydrogels whose thermosensitivity is activated by the electrostatic interaction of the pH-sensitive units with a hydrophobic bioactive compound are proposed here as sensor-based self-regulated drug delivery systems. Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylamide-co-aminoethylacrylamide) (poly(NIPAAm-co-AAm-co-AEAAm)) was prepared as a new pH/thermoresponsive polymer by hydrolysis of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylamide (poly(NIPAAm-co-AAm)) at high temperature (120°C) in the presence of ethylenediamine. Owing to the hydrophilicity of the inserted amine, the copolymers lose the thermosensitivity at physiological temperature and have a slow-phase transition at temperatures much higher than that of the human body. However, when the positively charged amine groups of the pH-sensitive units bind electrostatically with the negatively charged drug diclofenac, the copolymers retrieve the thermosensitivity. Poly(NIPAAm-co-AAm-co-AEAAm) was transformed into pH/thermoresponsive stable microspheres by an original approach based on crosslinking of the amine groups of aminoethylacrylamide (AEAAm) with glutaraldehyde at a temperature slightly below the lower critical solution temperature. The swelling/deswelling processes of microspheres occur only after the interaction of poly(NIPAAm-co-AAm-co-AEAAm) with the negatively charged drug diclofenac. The pH/temperature-sensitive microgels and dicofenac act as sensors and as the triggering agent, respectively. Conductometric titration reveals that the thermosensitivity of poly(NIPAAm-co-AAm-co-AEAAm) is retrieved when just half of its amino groups are complexed with diclofenac.

Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity of Silver Nanoparticles Embedded in Smart Poly(N-Isopropylacrylamide)-Based Hydrogel Networks

In recent study, we report the synthesis and antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles embedded in smart poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-based hydrogel networks. A series of thermosensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-methacrylic acid-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) [P(NIPAAm-MAA-HEM)] with various cross-linking ratio have been obtained by cross-linking free radical polymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm), methacrylic acid (MAA), and hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEM) in the presence of triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) as cross-linker. Highly stable and uniformly distributed silver nanoparticles have been obtained with hydrogel networks via in situ reduction of silver nitrate (AgNO3) using sodium borohydride (NaBH4) as reducing agent. The formation of silver nanoparticles has been confirmed with ultraviolet visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results demonstrated that employed hydrogels have regulated the silver nanoparticles size to 50–150 nm. The preliminary antibacterial activity performed to these hydrogel–silver nanocomposites.

Nanomedicine in Cardiovascular Diseases: Emerging Diagnostic and Therapeutic Potential

Cardiovascular diseases, especially myocardial ischemia, have been a leading cause of death worldwide for several decades. Despite major advances in the diagnostic and therapeutic modalities available for the clinical management of patients with cardiovascular disease, significant limitations remain. The use of very small molecular particles has recently emerged as a novel technique for diagnostic imaging and treatment of a variety of disease processes and can be broadly classified under the category Nanomedicine. Many diagnostic and therapeutic modalities based on these small molecular particles have become part of routine clinical practice, such as liposomal amphotericin B for the treatment of fungal infections and iron nanoparticles for imaging liver tumors. In this review, we discuss the potential applications of nanomedicine in the management of cardiovascular diseases.

Bioresponsive matrices in drug delivery

For years, the field of drug delivery has focused on (1) controlling the release of a therapeutic and (2) targeting the therapeutic to a specific cell type. These research endeavors have concentrated mainly on the development of new degradable polymers and molecule-labeled drug delivery vehicles. Recent interest in biomaterials that respond to their environment have opened new methods to trigger the release of drugs and localize the therapeutic within a particular site. These novel biomaterials, usually termed "smart" or "intelligent", are able to deliver a therapeutic agent based on either environmental cues or a remote stimulus. Stimuli-responsive materials could potentially elicit a therapeutically effective dose without adverse side effects. Polymers responding to different stimuli, such as pH, light, temperature, ultrasound, magnetism, or biomolecules have been investigated as potential drug delivery vehicles. This review describes the most recent advances in "smart" drug delivery systems that respond to one or multiple stimuli.