The degradation of poly(trimethylene carbonate) implants: The role of molecular weight and enzymes

The degradation of poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) implants with different molecular weights was investigated in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that PTMC degraded in vitro enzymolysis case and in vivo via surface erosion. The effect of the molecular weight on the degradation rate of PTMC was investigated in light of hydrophilicity and form-stability. A higher degradation rate was seen in the high molecular weight PTMC and its more hydrophobic surface with better form-stability. Furthermore, PTMC had a higher degradation rate of in vitro enzymolysis because of the surfactants role of lipase in diffusion of the degradation products. The results indicate that the form-stabilized PTMC is a promising candidate for clinical subcutaneous implants especially due to their tunable degradation rate.