Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
10160188 | Acta Biomaterialia | 2011 | 8 Pages |
Abstract
Treatment options for damaged articular cartilage are limited due to its lack of vasculature and its unique viscoelastic properties. This study was the first to fabricate a hyaluronan (HA)-polyethylene copolymer for potential use in the replacement of articular cartilage and repair of osteochondral defects. Amphiphilic graft copolymers consisting of HA and high-density polyethylene (HA-co-HDPE) were fabricated with 10, 28 and 50Â wt.% HA. Dynamic mechanical analysis was used to assess the effect of varying constituent weight ratios on the viscoelastic properties of HA-co-HDPE materials. The storage moduli of HA-co-HDPE copolymers ranged from 2.4 to 15.0Â MPa at physiological loading frequencies. The viscoelastic properties of the HA-co-HDPE materials were significantly affected by varying the wt.% of HA and/or crosslinking of the HA constituent. Cytotoxicity and the ability of the materials to support mineralization were evaluated in the presence of bone marrow stromal cells. HA-co-HDPE materials were non-cytotoxic, and calcium and phosphorus were present on the surface of the HA-co-HDPE materials 2Â weeks after osteogenic differentiation of the bone marrow stromal cells. This study is the first to measure the viscoelastic properties and osseocompatibility of HA-co-HDPE for potential use in orthopedic applications.
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Authors
Rachael A. Oldinski, Timothy T. Ruckh, Mark P. Staiger, Ketul C. Popat, Susan P. James,