Synthesis and characterization of ester-diol based polyurethane: a potentiality check for hypopharyngeal tissue engineering application.

ABSTRACT: Hypopharyngeal tissue engineering is increasing rapidly in this developing world. Tissue damage or loss needs the replacement by another biological or synthesized membrane using tissue engineering. Tissue engineering research is emerging to provide an effective solution for damaged tissue replacement. Polyurethane in tissue engineering has successfully been used to repair and restore the function of damaged tissues. In this context, Can polyurethane be a useful material to deal with hypopharyngeal tissue defects? To explore this, here ester diol based polyurethane (PU) was synthesized in two steps: firstly, polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400) was reacted with lactic acid to prepare ester diol, and then it was polymerized with hexamethylene diisocyanate. The physical, mechanical, and biological testing was done to testify the characterization of the membrane. The morphology of the synthesized membrane was investigated by using field emission scanning electron microscopy. Functional groups of the obtained membrane were characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectroscopy. Several tests were performed to check the in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility of the membrane. A highly connected homogeneous network was obtained due to the appropriate orientation of a hard segment and soft segment in the synthesized membrane. Mechanical property analysis indicates the membrane has a strength of 5.15 MPa and strain 124%. The membrane showed high hemocompatibility, no cytotoxicity on peripheral blood mononuclear cell, and susceptible to degradation in simulated body fluid solution. Antimicrobial activity assessment has shown promising results against clinically significant bacteria. Primary hypopharyngeal cell growth on the PU membrane revealed the cytocompatibility and subcutaneous implantation on the back of Wistar rats were given in vivo biocompatibility of the membrane. Therefore, the synthesized material can be considered as a potential candidate for a hypopharyngeal tissue engineering application. © Korean Society of Medical and Biological Engineering 2020.