Abstract
The possible bioadhesion mechanism(s) of a series of 0.3% cross-linked polyacrylic and polymet acrylic acids to the mucin and animal tissue was investigated in vitro. The zeta potential and extent of hydration of the polymers were examined in the presence of three physiologically relevant test fluids (isotonic saline, simulated gastric and simulated intestinal fluids). Our results indicated that for a same series of polymers such as either cross-linked polyacrylic acid or polymethacrylic acid, the increase in the negative zeta potential resulted in an increase in bioadhesion (force of detachment) between the polymer and rabbit stomach tissue for both isotonic saline and simulated gastric fluid. Isotonic saline produced higher zeta potential and bioadhesion for a given series of polymers in comparison with simulated gastric fluid. The acidic condition of gastric fluid suppressed the ionization of the polymers hence their possession of lower zeta potential. All polymers swelled extensively in simulated intestinal fluid, leading to difficulties in determining their zeta potential hence no comparison was possible. The adhesive performance, measured by colloidal gold staining technique, between polymer and bovine submaxillary mucin in gastric medium revealed the same ranking order as in the detachment experiment except for PMDB and PMDG polymers. No comparable data were available for saline and intestinal media due to the possible surface charge repulsion dominating at the polymer–mucin interface. The relationship found between the zeta potential and the bioadhesive strength of polymers showed that the bioadhesion was linked to the extent of ionization that occurred during the interaction of the polymer with the mucin/epithelial cell surface. A suitable extent of ionization was required for the initial adhesion of polymer to the biological tissue. However, extensive ionization and swelling could lead to the formation of very loose particles or dissolution and therefore difficulty in interacting with the animal tissue.
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