Chitosan-graft-poly(N-hydroxy ethyl acrylamide) copolymers: Synthesis, characterization and preliminary blood compatibility in vitro

Abstract Poly( N -hydroxy ethyl acrylamide) was grafted onto chitosan in aqueous acidic medium using potassium per sulphate initiator to obtain polymer surfaces with blood compatibility for potential biomedical applications. Thermally cross-linked products were obtained upon drying at 60 °C overnight. Chemically cross-linked films were prepared using methylene bis acrylamide (MBA) cross-linker. The products were characterized by FTIR, XRD and SEM analyses. Protein adsorption onto the film surfaces gave, on the average, 30% bovine serum albumin (BSA) and 10% human serum albumin (HSA) removal from aqueous solution, in vitro . Blood compatibility was evaluated with respect to activated prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and platelet adhesion. PT and APTT values remained within normal ranges after blood-polymer contact, with chitosan- graft -polyHEAA films, in vitro . Chitosan- graft -MBA or chitosan- graft -(polyHEAA;MBA), and blank chitosan films produced higher PT and APTT values under similar experimental conditions with chitosan- graft -polyHEAA films, exhibiting blood anticoagulant activity. SEM pictures taken before and after contact with blood sample did not reveal any significant blood component adhesion on the chitosan- graft -(polyHEAA;MBA) film surface contrary to the observation made on the blank chitosan film.