Network structure and macromolecular drug release from poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels fabricated via two crosslinking strategies

Injectable hydrogels have potential biomedical applications ranging from tissue fillers to drug delivery vehicles. This study focussed on evaluating the structure of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogels of variable solid content and high molecular weight model drug release from the networks formed via either conventional photo-polymerization compared with chemical initiation of polymerization using an oxidation–reduction (redox) reaction. Swelling behaviour was characterised in water to assess the structural properties. Model drugs, FITC-Dextran, 20 kDa (FD20) and 4 kDa (FD4) were loaded in the hydrogels prior to curing and drug release studies conducted. Redox-cured hydrogels were more swollen than UV-cured systems, lost ∼20% of their polymer mass compared to only 5% from UV-cured hydrogels and subsequently exhibited networks of larger mesh sizes. Also, networks of variable solid contents showed different structural properties with systems of higher polymer concentration exhibiting a smaller mesh size. The difference in structural properties of the networks affected release of FD20, being faster in redox-cured than UV-cured hydrogels, and slower from systems of higher solid content. Release of FD4 was faster than FD20 from networks of same solid content. This study suggested that PVA hydrogels can be cured by redox-initiation to function as a controlled delivery system for macromolecular drugs.