January 16, 2014

Image Caption: UD researchers have developed a "smart" gel that can deliver medicine on demand in response to force. Credit: University of Delaware

Rebekah Eliason for redOrbit.com Your Universe Online

A new study from the University of Delaware has led to the development of a smart hydrogel that is capable of delivering medicine based on response to mechanical force.

For the last several decades, many hydrogels have been created that release medicine in response to pH, temperature, DNA, light and other stimuli. Xinqiao Jia, UD professor of materials science and engineering and biomedical engineering said, The idea of a smart hydrogel that can release medicine over time is not new. Whats new is our ability to have medicine released in response to force a major challenge for people with osteoarthritis and other wear and tear injuries that compromise a persons ability to perform everyday activities.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, osteoarthritis is a chronic condition which affects approximately 27 million Americans. The disease causes soreness or stiffness of the joints that follows inactivity or overuse along with pain that increases after activity or throughout the day.

In this study, researchers developed a hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel. They theorized that if this material was injected into an injured joint site that the motion of walking or participating in therapeutic exercise would cause accelerated release of the drug inside the hydrogel. This method of delivery would help to reduce inflammation and pain.

In laboratory conditions, the researchers determined that the UD-developed hydrogel effectively releases the encapsulated drugs when it is compressed. Through preliminary cell testing, they were also able to confirm that the released drug molecules show anti-inflammatory activity.

The research team is now working alongside colleagues at Rush University in Chicago to begin tests of the hydrogels in animals. The early findings suggest that the gel is biocompatible. Jia explained this is due to the fact that hyaluronic acid naturally occurs in cartilage, which makes the substance more readily accepted by the body.

She also believes that this new hydrogel could help with more conditions than osteoarthritis, such as ligament tears and other high tension injury areas.

Link:

Smart Hydrogels Delivers Medicine On Demand