Two-step modification of poly(D,L-lactic acid) by ethylenediamine-maleic anhydride

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) was modified by maleic anhydride (MAH), then the resultant MAH modified PLA (MPLA) was acylated with ethylenediamine (EDA), so EDA-MAH modified PLA (EMPLA) was prepared. The results of DSC, FT-IR and NMR testified that MAH and EAD were successfully introduced into the original polymer. The hydrophilicity of EMPLA was considerably increased compared with that of PLA. The degradation experiment showed that the introduction of EDA into the original polymer could neutralize the carboxyl end groups of the degradation products. The results of SEM and MTT of rat osteoblasts cultured in vitro showed that the cytocompatibility and cell adhesion of the modified materials were significantly increased compared with the original polymer, especially EMPLA; the number of cells were obviously increased and cells attached firmly to the material; these were ascribed to the EDA neutralizing the carboxyl end groups of the degradation products.