Properties of polyvinylpyrrolidone gels after sterilization treatments

The aim of this work was to study the effect of different sources and doses of irradiation on the rheological and antibacterial properties of hydrogel systems, intended for further use in traumatology and orthopedics for the prevention and treatment of periprosthetic infections. The rheological and antibacterial properties of hydrogels, that are potentially applicable for local antimicrobial therapy in orthopedics and traumatology, were investigated. In this study the local drug carrier was the hydrogel based on a biodegradable polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Gentamicin and fosfomycin were used as medicines. In the frame of this study the evaluated effect of two different sterilization methods (exposure under accelerated electrons and gamma-radiation) on the rheological and antibacterial behavior of PVP hydrogels. The mentioned sterilization methods were applied for the formation of gel-shaped polymer matrix. It has been established that gamma-radiation is a more efficient method for crosslinking of PVP in aqueous solutions than exposure under accelerated electrons. Method of irradiation of initial solutions, which effectively influences on the viscosity of the gels, was determined. The temperature dependence of the rheological properties of the system was studied. It was shown that the efficiency of crosslinking reaction of macromolecules depends on the composition of the irradiated system. The presence of drugs in the system inhibits the process of crosslinking. The antimicrobial activity of the samples was preserved regardless on the concentration of PVP in the system. It also does not depend on the viscosity of the samples, the order of insertion of the components into the system, the source and dose of irradiation.

polyvinylpyrrolidone, periprosthetic inflammation, gentamicin, fosfomycin, viscosity, antimicrobial properties