Biological performance of a novel biodegradable polyamidoamine hydrogel as guide for pheripheral nerve regeneration

In this work a library of PAA hydrogels were prepared by conventional polyaddition of different bis-acrylamides and bis-amines using different amounts of 1,2-diaminoethane as cross-linking agent. These hydrogels were obtained in different shapes and dimensions and were characterized in terms of swelling degree in aqueous media at different pHs, degradation kinetics and rheological properties according to the shear stress mode analysis. The hydrogel cyto-biocompatibility and ability to induce adhesion and proliferation of Schwann cells, playing a fundamental role in peripheral nerve growth was also assessed. The results obtained pointed to the conclusion that all hydrogels were biocompatible and fully degradable at physiological pH, with a degradation rate depending on the cross-linking degree. They also exhibited mechanical properties much depending on the cross-linking degree.