Biocompatibility analysis of magnetic hydrogel nanocomposites based on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and iron oxide.

With the growing interest in nanocomposites and their applications in biology and medicine, studies examining the biocompatibility of those materials are critical. Magnetic hydrogel nanocomposites based on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and iron oxide nanoparticles were fabricated via UV-polymerization with tetra(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate acting as the crosslinking agent. In vitro biocompatibility analysis via NIH 3T3 murine fibroblast cytotoxicity was investigated. The fibroblasts in both direct and indirect contact with the hydrogels exhibited favorable cell viability indicating minimal cytotoxicity of the systems. In addition, swelling studies indicated that hydrogels with lower crosslink densities yield higher swelling ratios and that the presence of magnetic nanoparticle did not affect the swelling response of the hydrogel systems. Upon exposure to an alternating magnetic field, the hydrogel nanocomposites with iron oxide nanoparticles showed the capability for remote heating. This evaluation shows that these hydrogels have the potential to be used in biomedical applications such as drug delivery and hyperthermia for cancer treatment. Copyright 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.