Preparation of Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Chitosan-Blended Hydrogels: Properties, In Vitro Studies and Kinetic Evaluation

Articular Cartilage Defects Are a Recent Critical Orthopaedic Issue. Hydrogels Have Been Widely Used in Soft Tissue Engineering Scaffolds as their Structures Are Similar to the Macromolecular-Based Components in the Human Body. Hydrogels Including those Based on Poly(vinyl Alcohol) (PVA) and Chitosan Are of Considerable Interest for Utilization in the Field of Tissue Engineering because of their Appropriate Biocompatibility. PVA Gels Can Be Formed by Chemical or Physical Crosslinking. the “freezing-Thawing” (FT) Process Is the Most Mild, Facile and Effective Method to Produce Physically Crosslinked PVA Gel, because it Does Not Require the Presence of the Crosslinking Agent that May Cause Toxicity. in this Study Hydrogels Based on PVA and Chitosan in Different Blend Ratios Were Prepared, and the Effect of the Freeze-Thaw Cycles and Glutaraldehyde on the Hydrogel Properties Was Investigated. the Results Showed that Freeze-Thaw Cycles Increased the Tensile Strength and the Samples’ Resistance to Degradation. the Biocompatibility of the Hydrogels Was Analysed Using Chondrocyte Cells Separated from Distal Femur of Men. Cell Toxicity Assay Performed for Measurement of Cell Viability of the Samples Indicated Biocompatibility.