Insight into the Unexpectedly Rapid Degradation of Dihydroxyacetone-Based Hydrogels

Abstract

Biodegradable hydrogels are an important class of biomaterials with a diverse range of applications. In some cases, a rapid hydrogel degradation rate is advantageous. Polycarbonate hydrogels based on dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a natural metabolite, have been reported to undergo surprisingly fast hydrolytic degradation. In the present work, insight into the key features of DHA that contribute to the observed degradation rates is gained. In vitro degradation (mass loss) of three different chemically cross-linked polycarbonate hydrogels is investigated to shed light on the role of the ketone functional group, as well as the carbon-chain length between the ketone and carbonate bonds. The ketone is found to be the major cause of rapid degradation. Also, mass loss is accelerated by increased temperature and pH, offering insight into potential tuning parameters and storage conditions. The results show that DHA is a promising monomeric unit for the design of rapidly degrading, biocompatible, and functional biomaterials.