Evaluation of PEG-PPG-PEG Copolymer Blends for Using As Resorbable Bone Wax

摘要

In this study, four types of PEG-PPG-PEG copolymers solids and pastes having different molecular mass (M_w~5800, 8400, 12000 and 14600) were selected and mixed at various compositions ranging from 40 to 60 % by weight. The textures and handling characteristics of the prepared samples were evaluated in comparison to that of the commercial non-resorbable bone wax. Thermal and mechanical properties of the blends were determined by a differential scanning calorimeter and a universal testing machine respectively. It was found that the combination of solid (M_w~8400) and paste-like (M_w~12000) copolymers at the ratio of 40:60 gave the closest smooth texture with good smearability and had similar melting temperature to the commercial bone wax, but having slightly lower compressive stiffness. Preliminary cytotoxicity of the selected formulations against osteoblasts revealed that the cell viability was greater than 70 % indicating that the prepared samples did not show any cytotoxic potential.