Injectable hydrogels based on chitosan derivative/polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate/N,N-dimethylacrylamide as bone tissue engineering matrix

Injectable hydrogels were prepared from chitosan derivative (EGAMA-CS)/polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate (PEGDA)/N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMMA) by photopolymerization. The morphology of the hydrogels was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The relationship of double bond conversion with photopolymerization time was revealed by Real-time FTIR. The thermal behaviour of the hydrogels was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The equilibrium swelling ratio was also evaluated. In addition, the potential use of the hydrogels as scaffolding materials for bone regeneration was evaluated in vitro with Human bone sarcoma cell (SW1353) as reference cell lines. Indirect cytotoxicity assessment of the hydrogels indicated that the EGAMA-CS/PEGDA/DMMA hydrogels was non-toxic to the SW1353 cell. Cell culture results showed that fibrous mats were good in promoting the cell attachment and proliferation. The photopolymerized hydrogels are promised for the applications in the biomaterials area as bone tissue engineering matrix.