Preparation and characterization of biodegradable and hemocompatible copolymers

Abstract In this study, we developed biodegradable polyesters with hemocompatibility and anti-thrombotic functions. First, we synthesized 3-benzyloxymethyl-6-methyl-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione (LA-Bz). The ring opening polymerization of e-caprolactone (CL), l -lactide (LA), and LA-Bz monomers provided poly(e-caprolactone-ran- l -lactide-ran-3-benzyloxymethyl lactide) (PCLA-Bz) copolymers. Poly(e-caprolactone-ran- l -lactide) (PCLA) was prepared as a control biodegradable copolymer. Subsequent deprotective benzyl reactions of PCLA-Bz and additional reactions with glutaric anhydride yielded PCLA copolymers with COOH pendant groups (PCLA-COOH). Afterward, methoxypolyethylene glycol (PCLA-MPEG) or heparin (PCLA-heparin) as an anti-thrombotic group was introduced in the pendant position of PCLA. The in vitro degradation and mechanical properties of PCLA, PCLA-COOH, PCLA-MPEG, and PCLA-heparin were examined over 8 weeks. In the hemocompatibility testing, PCLA-COOH, PCLA-MPEG, and PCLA-heparin exhibited hemocompatibility with little adherence of platelets. In addition, PCLA-heparin exhibited significantly reduced platelet adhesion and enhanced blood stability and thrombin inactivation. These results show that the introduction of anti-thrombotic groups in the pendant position of PCLA represents a useful approach to prepare biodegradable and hemocompatible copolymers.