Effect of PLGA block molecular weight on gelling temperature of PLGA‐PEG‐PLGA thermoresponsive copolymers. Issue 1 (25th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Steinman, Noam Y.; Haim‐Zada, Moran; Goldstein, Isaac A.; Goldberg, Ayelet H.; Haber, Tom; Berlin, Jacob M.; Domb, Abraham J.
• Is Part Of: Journal of polymer science. Volume 57:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 35
• Page End: 39
• Publication Date: 2018-11-25
• Subjects: biodegradable polymers -- copolymerization -- drug delivery systems -- hydrogels -- PEG‐PLGA -- thermoresponsive hydrogels; 547
• DOI: 10.1002/pola.29275
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0887-624X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Thermoresponsive, biodegradable polymeric hydrogel networks are used widely in medicinal applications. Poly(d, l ‐lactic acid‐ co ‐glycolic acid)‐ b ‐poly(ethylene glycol)‐ b ‐poly(d, l ‐lactic acid‐ co ‐glycolic acid) (PLGA‐PEG‐PLGA) triblock copolymers exhibit a sol–gel transition upon heating. The effect of PLGA block and PEG chain molecular weights (MWs) on the gelling temperature of polymer aqueous solution (20% w/w) is described. All polymer solutions convert into a hard gel within 2 °C of the gelling temperature. The release properties of the gels were displayed using paracetamol as a representative drug. A linear relation is described between the gelling temperature and PLGA block MW. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem.2019, 57, 35–39 Abstract : Poly(d, l ‐lactic acid‐ co ‐glycolic acid)‐ b ‐poly(ethylene glycol)‐ b ‐poly(d, l ‐lactic acid‐ co ‐glycolic acid) (PLGA‐PEG‐PLGA) copolymers to make thermoresponsive hydrogels, such that an aqueous polymer solution undergoes a sol–gel transition at physiological temperatures. PLGA/PEG ratio was shown to effect gelling temperature. Furthermore, the ratio that affords a sol–gel transition temperature of 37 °C is dependent on PEG molecular weight. Hydrogels were also shown to release a representative drug at a controlled rate, and so may be incorporated as drug delivery systems for any injectable site.