An evaluation of the biocompatibility properties of a salt-modified polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel for a knee meniscus application

Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl. 2016 Feb:59:894-900. doi: 10.1016/j.msec.2015.10.052. Epub 2015 Oct 19.

Abstract

The treatment of irreparable knee meniscus tears remains a major challenge for the orthopaedic community. The main purpose of this research was to analyse the biocompatibility properties of a salt-modified polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel, in order to assess its potential for use as an artificial meniscal implant. Aqueous polyvinyl alcohol was treated with a sodium sulphate solution to precipitate out the polyvinyl alcohol resulting in a pliable hydrogel. Cytotoxicological analysis indicates that PVA/sodium sulphate hydrogels display a non-toxic disposition and were found to be compatible with the L929 fibroblast cell line.

Keywords: Biocompatibility; Cytotoxicological analysis; Hydrogel; Meniscus; Polyvinyl alcohol.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Biocompatible Materials / toxicity*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Materials Testing
  • Mice
  • Polyvinyl Alcohol / chemistry*
  • Polyvinyl Alcohol / toxicity*

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel
  • Polyvinyl Alcohol