In situ sodium alginate-hyaluronic acid hydrogel coating method for clinical applications

A novel synthetic method is reported to prepare HAAL hydrogels derived from hyaluronic acid (HA) and sodium alginate (AL) with different compositions (ranging from 1:1 to 1:5) through ionic and covalent crosslinking is reported in this study. The synthesized hydrogels were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy. Surface morphology and equilibrium swelling behavior of the hydrogels were also examined. In an MTT assay, the hydrogel extracts were found to be non-cytotoxic to L929 mouse fibroblasts. The blood compatibility of the synthesized hydrogels was assayed with a platelet adhesion test, and was comparable with that of medical-grade polyurethane (PU, PellethaneA (R)). HAAL hydrogels with recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rh-EGF) exhibited enhanced cell proliferation and adhesion (human L929 fibroblast). These characteristics demonstrate that HAAL hydrogels treated using this in situ coating method have potential for usage in various clinical applications.