Self-curing acrylic formulations containing PMMA/PCL composites: properties and antibiotic release behavior

MENDEZ,J.A.; ABRAHAM,G.A.; FERNANDEZ,M.M.; VAZQUEZ,B.; SAN ROMAN,J

JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH

John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Lugar: New York, USA; Año: 2002 vol. 61 p. 66 - 74

0021-9304

Partially-biodegradable acrylic composites containing poly(methyl methacrylate) – poly(e-caprolactone) (PMMA/PCL) systems were prepared by mixing the corresponding PMMA/PCL beads (89/11, 86/14, 83/17, 77/23 weight ratio) used as solid phase with methyl methacrylate (liquid phase) in a solid:liquid ratio of 1.5:1. The physical and chemical microheterogeneity of these beads influenced significantly the curing parameters, since several aspects involved in the polymerization reaction are closely related to both morphology and size distribution of the particles. In vitro behavior was studied by immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF) at pH = 7.25 and 37ºC for over 8 weeks and the composition was followed by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Approximately 2% wt/wt weight loss was observed after a period of 8 weeks for the composites richest in PCL. Mechanical properties of the dry and wet specimens were evaluated by compressive and tensile tests. In all cases the presence of PCL in the composites provided a significant decrease in both compressive strength and elastic modulus compared to plain PMMA. Tensile and compressive strength also decreased significantly after two weeks of immersion in SBF compared to dry specimens. The self-curing composites based on PMMA/PCL beads and loaded with 3% wt/wt vancomycin were evaluated as carriers for local release of antibiotics. The composite prepared with beads of PMMA/PCL ratio 86/14 was the most effective. It eluted 64% of the initial drug within the first 5 h, allowing to release progressively nearly the total amount of the initial drug (90%) in approximately 2 months. The results obtained suggest that the described composites can be suitable for antibiotic release in non load bearing graft applications.