Water absorption and surface properties of novel poly(ethylmethacrylate) polymer systems for use in bone and cartilage repair

• Published in: Biomaterials Vol. 22; no. 7; pp. 667 - 676
• Main Authors: Hutcheon, G.A., Messiou, C., Wyre, R.M., Davies, M.C., Downes, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2001; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Absorption; Animals; Biocompatible Materials - chemistry; Biological and medical sciences; Biomaterials; Bone and Bones - surgery; Cartilage - surgery; Cattle; Cell Adhesion; Cell attachment; Cells, Cultured; Chondrocytes - cytology; Humans; Materials Testing; Medical sciences; Methacrylates; Methacrylates - chemistry; Methylmethacrylates - chemistry; Microscopy, Atomic Force; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Osteoblasts - cytology; poly(ethylmethacrylate); polyethylmethacrylate; Surface analysis; Surface Properties; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Technology. Biomaterials. Equipments; Water; Water adsorption; Methacrylates; Water adsorption; Cell attachment; Surface analysis; Biomaterials; Osteoarticular system; Orthopedic surgery; Articular cartilage; Chondrocyte; Property composition relationship; Surface properties; Water absorption; Ethyl methacrylate polymer; Repair; Adhesion; Comparative study; Biomedical engineering
• ISSN: 0142-9612; 1878-5905
• DOI: 10.1016/S0142-9612(00)00229-5

The surface and bulk properties of novel methacrylate polymers prepared by gelling poly(ethyl methacrylate) (PEMA) powder with different ratios of tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate (THFMA) and hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) monomers were investigated. The water adsorption and desorption characteristics of these polymers were measured in water and phosphate buffered saline (PBS). The desorption diffusion coefficients were higher than the adsorption coefficients in both water and PBS. Linear relationships between the equilibrium mass of water taken up and the mass of water desorbed with the concentration of HEMA in the polymer were established. Polymer surfaces were analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Surface features varied with polymer composition; during hydration only selective areas of the surface hydrated indicating a heterogeneous surface. Contact angle data showed no trend between the different polymers indicating that contact angles are not an acceptable method of assessing hydrophobicity/wettability of a material which does not have a homogeneous surface. The effect of these bulk and surface characteristics on biological interactions were examined using bovine chondrocytes and human osteoblast (HOB) cell cultures. Cell attachment decreased when HEMA was present in the copolymer.