Volume 22, Issue 11 pp. 1247-1254

Biodegradation, soft and hard tissue integration of various polyethylene glycol hydrogels: a histomorphometric study in rabbits

D. S. Thoma

D. S. Thoma

Clinic for Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics and Dental Material Science, Center of Dental Medicine, Zurich, Switzerland

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K. Subramani

K. Subramani

Clinic for Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics and Dental Material Science, Center of Dental Medicine, Zurich, Switzerland

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F. E. Weber

F. E. Weber

Section of Bioengineering and Department of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

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H. U. Luder

H. U. Luder

Institute of Oral Biology, Section of Orofacial Structures and Development, Center of Dental Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

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C. H. F. Hämmerle

C. H. F. Hämmerle

Clinic for Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics and Dental Material Science, Center of Dental Medicine, Zurich, Switzerland

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R. E. Jung

R. E. Jung

Clinic for Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics and Dental Material Science, Center of Dental Medicine, Zurich, Switzerland

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First published: 25 April 2011
Citations: 19
Corresponding author:
Daniel S. Thoma
Clinic for Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics and Dental Material Science
University of Zurich
Plattenstrasse 11
CH-8032 Zurich
Switzerland
Tel.: +41 44 634 32 57
Fax: +41 44 634 43 05
e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Objectives: (i) To evaluate biodegradation, hard and soft tissue integration using various polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels; (ii) to evaluate the influence of arginine–glycine–aspartic acid (RGD) on two types of PEG hydrogels.

Material and methods: In seven rabbits, six treatment modalities were randomly applied subperiosteally on the skull: (1) a dense network PEG hydrogel (PEG1), (2) PEG1 modified with RGD (PEG1-RGD), (3) a looser network PEG hydrogel (PEG2), (4) PEG2 modified with RGD (PEG2-RGD), (5) a collagen membrane, and (6) a polylactide/polyglycolide/trimethylene carbonate membrane. The animals were sacrificed at 14 days. Histomorphometric analyses were performed on undecalcified Epon sections using a standardized region of interest. For statistical analysis, paired t-test and signed rank test were applied.

Results: PEG1 and PEG1-RGD remained intact and maintained the shape. PEG2 and PEG2-RGD completely degraded and were replaced by connective tissue and bone. The largest amount of mineralized tissue was found for PEG2-RGD (21.4%), followed by PEG 2 (9.5%). The highest percentage of residual hydrogel/membrane was observed for PEG1-RGD (55.6%), followed by PEG1 (26.7%).

Conclusions: Modifications of the physico-chemical properties of PEG hydrogels and the addition of RGD influenced soft and hard tissue integration and biodegradation. PEG1 showed an increased degradation time and maintained the shape. The soft tissue integration was enhanced by adding an RGD sequence. A high turn-over rate and extensive bone regeneration was observed using PEG2. The addition of RGD further improved bone formation and soft tissue integration.

To cite this article:
Thoma DS, Subramani K, Weber FE, Luder HU, Hämmerle CHF, Jung RE. Biodegradation, soft and hard tissue integration of various polyethylene glycol hydrogels: a histomorphometric study in rabbits.
Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 22, 2011; 1247–1254.
doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0501.2010.02075.x

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