Calcium ion modulates protein release from chitosan‐hyaluronic acid poly electrolyte gel

Abstract

Polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) of chitosan (CH) and hyaluronic acid (HA) are widely used for skin, cartilage, and bone tissue engineering. However, no reports are seen on their response at high ionic media, like increased Ca 2+ where they are likely to be exposed in the form of bone constructs and the influence of these ions on modulating the release of incorporated entities such as drugs and growth factors. Here, we prepared freeze dried scaffolds of PEC of CH and HA (CH‐HA) and characterized them by FTIR, TGA, SEM, and ESEM. FITC conjugated BSA, designated as FA, was incorporated into the PEC to study the release properties in response to Ca 2+ . The swellability of CH‐HA and the extent of drug release from the matrix, FA loaded CH‐HA was studied in deionised water and aqueous Na + and Ca 2+ solutions. Swelling and drug release were high for the matrix in aqueous Ca 2+ whereas it was remarkably low in water and Na + . Drug released was found to increase with concentrations of Ca 2+ (0.02–1.0 M ) indicating that CH‐HA is a promising matrix for Ca 2+ responsive delivery of agents to accelerate healing of bone cracks, which is known to release high amount of Ca 2+ . POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:2089–2097, 2015. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers