Alginate Hydrogel Microspheres Research Articles

Colonic long-term retention and colonization of probiotics by double-layer chitosan/tannic acid coating and microsphere embedding for treatment of ulcerative colitis and radiation enteritis

Oral probiotics can alleviate enteric inflammations but their rapid transit through the gut limits their retention and colonization in the colon. Here, a novel strategy integrating the bacterial double-layer coating and hydrogel microsphere embedding techniques was used to highly enhance the colonic retention and colonization efficiency of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG). LGG was coated by the double layers of chitosan (CS) and tannic acid (TA), and then embedded in calcium alginate (CA) hydrogel microspheres to form LGG@CT@CA. The microspheres resisted gastric liquids, improving LGG safe transit through the stomach to reach the colon. LGG@CT was rapidly released in the colon due to the good swelling of hydrogel microspheres. More importantly, LGG exhibited long-term retention up to 7 days in the colon and colonized the deep site of the colonic mucosa. LGG@CT@CA had a high therapeutic efficiency of ulcer colitis with the long colon and the low intestinal permeability of colonic tissues. LGG@CT@CA also alleviated the small intestinal damage induced by irradiation and the survival rates were improved. The mechanisms included local ROS decrease, IL-10 increase, and ferroptosis reduction in the small intestine. The oral colon-targeted system holds promise for oral probiotic therapy by the long-term retention and colonization in the colon.

Oral quercetin nanoparticles in hydrogel microspheres alleviate high-altitude sleep disturbance based on the gut-brain axis

High-altitude sleep disturbance is a common symptom of acute mountain sickness, which can be alleviated via modulation of the gut-brain axis. Quercetin (Que) is used to modulate gut microbiota and serves as a potential drug to regulate the gut-brain axis, but the poor solubility and bioavailability affect its biological functions. Here, Que nanoparticles (QNPs) were prepared with zein using an antisolvent method, and QNP-loaded calcium alginate hydrogel microspheres (QNP@HMs) were prepared using electrospinning technology to improve the gastrointestinal stability and intestinal adhesion of QNPs. In the mouse model of high-altitude sleep disturbance, oral administration of QNP@HMs before the mice entering high altitude prolonged sleep duration, improved blood cell recovery, spontaneous behavior and short-term memory, and reduced such inflammation factors as TNF-α and iNOS. Moreover, QNP@HMs enhanced the abundance of probiotics in the gut, including Lactobacillus and Lachnospira, and reduced intestinal inflammation. However, in the mice after gut sterilization by long-term oral antibiotics, QNP@HMs showed no therapeutic effect. QNP@HMs are a promising medication for the prevention of high-altitude sleep disturbance based on the gut-brain axis.

Establishment of microneurovascular units in alginate hydrogel microspheres to reveal the anti-hypoxic effect of salidroside

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Continuous-flow viscoelastic profiling of calcium alginate hydrogel microspheres using a microfluidic Lab-on-a-chip device

Calcium alginate (Ca-alginate) hydrogel microspheres, distinguished by their unique viscoelastic attributes, have found valuable utility in encapsulating bioactive components and facilitating targeted release applications. However, the rapid profiling of the viscoelasticity of these hydrogel microspheres has posed a significant challenge. In this study, we have developed a continuous-flow methodology for swift viscoelastic profiling of a substantial population of hydrogel microspheres, employing embedded electrode pairs and validated with 0.5–2.0% w/v Ca-alginate hydrogel microspheres. Our approach involves the measurement of microsphere size and travel trajectories through the observation of electric signal variations across the embedded electrode pairs. These signals arise from the displacements of the leading and trailing edges of the microspheres. By applying a quasi-linear viscoelastic (QLV) model to interpret the electric signals, we can effectively deduce the viscoelastic properties of the microspheres. Notably, this innovative technique enables fast viscoelasticity screening with a concise constriction channel featuring a minimal number of electrode pairs. The measurement is independent of the applied flow rate. The outcome of our work has led to significantly improved measurement throughput of up to 2650 counts/min for Ca-alginate hydrogel microspheres with 0.5% w/v. Furthermore, this approach can distinguish hydrogel microspheres of varying qualities and chemical compositions based on their viscoelastic properties. This breakthrough holds significant promise for real-time sorting and separation of microspheres, which is particularly useful for developing innovative food structures and texturizers, along with possibilities across a wide spectrum of engineered foods, such as plant-based, printable or bioinspired hydrogels.

Preparation of a novel alginate hydrogel microspheres covered by hollow silica for controlled-release application

Sodium alginate hydrogel has been widely used in the field of controlled-release. In this paper, in order to prevent the negative effect of fast degradation and explosive release of pure sodium alginate hydrogel in the drug delivery process, we developed a novel alginate hydrogel supported by hollow silica microsphere for drug delivery. Briefly, the drugs were fused with sodium alginate and the hollow silica microspheres followed by ion crosslinking to form a composite hydrogel microsphere with a core–shell structure (SA@SiO2). The structure and morphology of the composite hydrogel were characterized by Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) along with fluorescence microscope. On this basis, using three different types of organic compounds (rhodamine B, Indocyanine green and salicylic acid) as model molecules, the controlled-release performance of the SA@SiO2 microspheres were investigated in detail. The research results show that the drug delivery system has broad-spectrum controlled-release performance for different types of molecules, and the controlled-release time can exceed 40 h. At the same time, the pH- responsive property of the sodium alginate hydrogel endows the delivery system with a certain targeting function. This study provides a new strategy for constructing an efficient targeted drug controlled-release system.

Chemical Communication and Protocell‐Matrix Dynamics in Segregated Colloidosome Micro‐Colonies

AbstractDespite an emerging catalogue of collective behaviours in communities of homogeneously distributed cell‐like objects, microscale protocell colonies with spatially segregated populations have received minimal attention. Here, we use microfluidics to fabricate Janus‐like calcium alginate hydrogel microspheres with spatially partitioned populations of enzyme‐containing inorganic colloidosomes and investigate their potential as integrated platforms for domain‐mediated chemical communication and programmable protocell‐matrix dynamics. Diffusive chemical signalling within the segregated communities gives rise to increased initial enzyme kinetics compared with a homogeneous distribution of protocells. We employ competing enzyme‐mediated hydrogel crosslinking and decrosslinking reactions in different domains of the partitioned colonies to undertake selective expulsion of a specific protocell population from the community. Our results offer new possibilities for the design and construction of spatially organized cytomimetic consortia capable of endogenous chemical processing and protocell‐environment interactivity.

Chemical Communication and Protocell-Matrix Dynamics in Segregated Colloidosome Micro-Colonies.

Despite an emerging catalogue of collective behaviours in communities of homogeneously distributed cell-like objects, microscale protocell colonies with spatially segregated populations have received minimal attention. Here, we use microfluidics to fabricate Janus-like calcium alginate hydrogel microspheres with spatially partitioned populations of enzyme-containing inorganic colloidosomes and investigate their potential as integrated platforms for domain-mediated chemical communication and programmable protocell-matrix dynamics. Diffusive chemical signalling within the segregated communities gives rise to increased initial enzyme kinetics compared with a homogeneous distribution of protocells. We employ competing enzyme-mediated hydrogel crosslinking and decrosslinking reactions in different domains of the partitioned colonies to undertake selective expulsion of a specific protocell population from the community. Our results offer new possibilities for the design and construction of spatially organized cytomimetic consortia capable of endogenous chemical processing and protocell-environment interactivity.

Performance enhancement of white rot fungi extracellular enzymes via new hydrogel microenvironments for remediation of benzo[a]pyrene contaminated soil

Organic pollutants with low solubility and high ecotoxicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity, are rapidly entering and accumulating in soil, resulting in soil pollution. Several methods have been investigated for remediation of organic contaminated soil, including enzymatic remediation approach. However, free enzymes are easily deactivated, which hinders their practical application in soil remediation. Immobilization of enzyme improves its stability and catalytic performance, but the immobilized material itself becomes secondary pollutants in soil. In this study, Trametes versicolor extracellular enzyme was immobilized on the degradable calcium alginate hydrogel microspheres. The laccase maintained a high activity. In addition, the addition of cellulose improved the strength of the carrier. Hydrogel microspheres solved the problems of easy inactivation of free enzyme and secondary contamination of immobilized materials. By a novel combination of extracellular enzymes and hydrogel microenvironments, immobilized enzymes not only demonstrate outstanding performance in thermal stability and pH adaptability, but also achieves a significant improvement in biocatalytic activity for benzo[a]pyrene contaminated soil. The thermal stability of immobilized enzyme was much higher than that of free enzyme. When the temperature increased to 50 °C, the activity of immobilized enzyme remained at 93.15% of the maximum enzyme activity, while the activity of free enzyme decreased to 63.76%. At pH 8, the immobilized enzyme activity maintained 74.84% of the maximum enzyme activity, while the free enzyme activity was only 11.86%. Immobilized enzymes can effectively remove 91.40% of benzo[a]pyrene from soil within 96 h. Furthermore, the catalytic oxidation of benzo[a]pyrene by enzymes that have been immobilized ultimately results in the production of 6,12-benzo[a]pyrene-dione. Molecular dynamics simulation showed that the catalytic degradation of benzo[a]pyrene was mainly through the interaction of amino acid residues PRO-391 with the Pi-alkyl of benzo[a]pyrene. This study presents an innovative strategy for designing and developing immobilized enzymes for use in biocatalytic applications related to eco-remediation of soil.

Affinity screening of potential anti-obesity and anti-diabetic component from pomegranate peel by co-immobilization of lipase and α-amylase using carbon nanotube and hydrogel

Lipase and α-amylase play a very important role in the screening of anti-obesity and anti-diabetic drugs. Here, bienzyme microspheres containing lipase and α-amylase were synthesized for simultaneous affinity screening of anti-obesity and anti-diabetic component from pomegranate peel. Lipase was immobilized by functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) coated with polyamide dendrimers to obtain MWCNT-lipase. Subsequently, MWCNT-lipase and α-amylase was encapsulated by sodium alginate (SA) hydrogel microspheres to form MWCNT/SA-bienzymes. Under the optimized reaction conditions, the immobilization rate of lipase and α-amylase was 65.16% and 95.79%, and the activities were 85.76% and 88.11% of free enzymes, respectively. Moreover, the enzyme activity conditions of MWCNT/SA-bienzymes were also optimized. The MWCNT/SA-bienzymes were more stable than two free enzymes at room temperature and can be reused. More importantly, in application, a compound (ellagic acid) was selectively screened from pomegranate peel extract by MWCNT/SA-bienzymes. In vitro activity determination confirmed that ellagic acid with IC50 of 369.83 ± 11.75 μg/mL and 672.81 ± 18.55 μg/mL can interact with two enzymes through non-competitive inhibition. The molecular docking showed that ellagic acid bound with α-amylase and lipase through hydrogen bonds, van der Waals forces, etc, resulting in the binding energies of − 8.54 kcal/mol and − 6.87 kcal/mol, respectively.

MS-proteomics provides insight into the host responses towards alginate microspheres.

Protein adsorption to biomaterial surfaces is considered a determining factor for the host response. Here we detail the protein adsorption profiles of alginate hydrogel microspheres relevant for cell therapy using mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics. The investigated microspheres include sulfated alginate (SA), high G alginate (HiG), and poly-l-lysine coated alginate (AP), which previously have been shown to exhibit different inflammatory and fibrotic responses. The biological significance was assessed in lepirudin-anticoagulated human whole blood (hWB) by functional analysis of the acute-phase responses (complement and coagulation). Proteomic profiling revealed distinct signatures for the microspheres, wherein Ingenuity Pathway Analysis identified complement and coagulation as the top enriched canonical pathways. The levels of complement and coagulation activators and inhibitors were distinctly different, which was reflected in the functional hWB analyses: SA was highly enriched with inhibitory factors of complement and coagulation (e.g. C1 inhibitor, factor H, antithrombin-III, heparin cofactor 2), other heparin-binding proteins and factors promoting fibrinolysis (factor XII, plasma kallikrein), conforming to an anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic profile. HiG enriched moderate levels of complement inhibitors, conforming to a low-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic profile. AP showed the most prominent enrichment of complement activators (e.g. C3, properdin, C-reactive protein) and low levels of inhibitors, conforming to a pro-inflammatory and highly pro-fibrotic profile. In conclusion, the extensive enrichment of inhibitory acute-phase proteins on SA could be a determining factor for its reduced host response. The interactions between the plasma proteins and hydrogel surfaces shown herein point to proteomics as an important supplement to existing in vitro and in vivo methods for designing biocompatible alginate-based hydrogels.

Direct Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells to 3D Functional Hepatocyte-like Cells in Alginate Microencapsulation Sphere.

Background: The lack of a stable source of hepatocytes is one of major limitations in hepatocyte transplantation and clinical applications of a bioartificial liver. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) with a high degree of self-renewal and totipotency are a potentially limitless source of a variety of cell lineages, including hepatocytes. Many techniques have been developed for effective differentiation of hESCs into functional hepatocyte-like cells. However, the application of hESC-derived hepatocyte-like cells (hESC-Heps) in the clinic has been constrained by the low yield of fully differentiated cells, small-scale culture, difficulties in harvesting, and immunologic graft rejection. To resolve these shortcomings, we developed a novel 3D differentiation system involving alginate-microencapsulated spheres to improve current hepatic differentiation, providing ready-to-use hESC-Heps. Methods: In this study, we used alginate microencapsulation technology to differentiate human embryonic stem cells into hepatocyte-like cells (hESC-Heps). Hepatic markers of hESC-Heps were examined by qPCR and Western blotting, and hepatic functions of hESC-Heps were evaluated by indocyanine-green uptake and release, and ammonia removal. Results: The maturity and hepatic functions of the hESC-Heps derived from this 3D system were better than those derived from 2D culture. Hepatocyte-enriched genes, such as HNF4α, AFP, and ALB, were expressed at higher levels in 3D hESC-Heps than in 2D hESC-Heps. 3D hESC-Heps could metabolize indocyanine green and had better capacity to scavenge ammonia. In addition, the 3D sodium alginate hydrogel microspheres could block viral entry into the microspheres, and thus protect hESC-Heps in 3D microspheres from viral infection. Conclusion: We developed a novel 3D differentiation system for differentiating hESCs into hepatocyte-like cells by using alginate microcapsules.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosomes Encapsulated Oral Microcapsules for Acute Colitis Treatment.

Mesenchymal stem cells derived exosomes (MSC-exos) exhibit an intrinsic and directed efficiency for multiple diseases, while their versatile and effective delivery to the target site is still a challenge. Herein, inspired by the acids and enzymes resistant property of sealing gelatin capsules, novel MSC-exo-encapsulated oral microcapsules are presented for colitis treatment. Based on a microfluidic electrospray technique, MSC-exos are first encapsulated in sodium alginate (SA) hydrogel microspheres with sustainable bioactivity. The resultant SA microspheres are then coated with a middle gelatin layer to protect MSC-exos from degradation. Especially, with an enteric coating-Eudragit FS30D on the outer layer, the resistance of the microcapsules in gastric juice is further enhanced. The prepared microcapsules maintain the stability and bioactivity of the MSC-exos during storage, protect them from the harsh conditions in the gastrointestinal tract, and enable the release of actives in the suitable sites for exerting their biological functions. In addition, these MSC-exos encapsulated microcapsules reduce the proinflammatory cytokines levels of inflammatory macrophages and impaired colonic epithelial cells, which exhibit superior damage repair ability in injured colon sites. Thus, it is believed that the proposed oral MSC-exos encapsulated microcapsules are valuable for many practically clinical treatments.

Enhanced treatment of organic matters in starch wastewater through Bacillus subtilis strain with polyethylene glycol-modified polyvinyl alcohol/sodium alginate hydrogel microspheres

Starch wastewater is a wide range of environmental issues with organic pollutants. A high efficiency and stability hydrogel-organic degradation system was designed via Bacillus Subtilis with Polyethylene glycol (PEG)-modified Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/Sodium alginate (SA) hydrogel microspheres. Bacillus subtilis was immobilized on the surface or inside of PEG-modified PVA/SA hydrogels microspheres via physical adsorption. Results showed PEG-modified PVA/SA microspheres had an effect of adsorption on Bacillus subtilis with enhancing bearing rate to 54.22% compared to the blank control group. The effect of microspheres on degradation was remarkable in simulation starch wastewater with a maximum COD removal rate of 93.35% and compared in reality starch wastewater with 90.02% under the optimal condition of pH = 6, 35℃, 20% dosage, 180 rpm. This novel biological method on starch wastewater enhanced tolerance of microorganisms and degradation effect, reflecting safety, effectiveness, and economy with great significance to environmental protection.

The potential of the incorporated collagen microspheres in alginate hydrogel as an engineered three-dimensional microenvironment to attenuate apoptosis in human pancreatic islets

BackgroundTissue engineering is considered as a promising tool for remodeling the native cells microenvironment. In the present study, the effect of alginate hydrogel and collagen microspheres integrated with extracellular matrix components were evaluated in the decrement of apoptosis in human pancreatic islets. Materials/methods: For three-dimensional culture, the islets were encapsulated in collagen microspheres, containing laminin and collagen IV and embedded in alginate scaffold for one week. After that the islets were examined in terms of viability, apoptosis, genes and proteins expression including BAX, BCL2, active caspase-3, and insulin. Moreover, the islets function was evaluated through glucose-induced insulin and C-peptide secretion assay. In order to evaluate the structure of the scaffolds and the morphology of the pancreatic islets in three-dimensional microenvironments, we performed scanning electron microscopy. ResultsOur findings showed that the designed hydrogel scaffolds significantly improved the islets viability using the reduction of activated caspase-3 and TUNEL positive cells. ConclusionsThe reconstruction of the destructed matrix with alginate hydrogels and collagen microspheres might be an effective step to promote the culture of the islets.

Point-of-care testing (POCT) of patients with a high concentration of uric acid by using alginate hydrogel microspheres embedded with CdZnTeS QDs and urate oxidase (Alg@QDs-UOx MSs).

High concentration of uric acid is usually related to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Developing a simple method for the rapid and efficient detection of uric acid has a great significance in clinical diagnosis. In this work, alginate hydrogel microspheres embedded with CdZnTeS QDs and urate oxidase (Alg@QDs-UOx MSs) were prepared for the first time, and further used for point-of-care testing (POCT) of patients with a high concentration of uric acid. This strategy is mainly based on visual detection of H2O2, the product of uric acid after an enzymatic reaction. The proposed sensor (Alg@QDs-UOx MSs) has several advantages. First, it can reduce the interference of the proteins to the fluorescence of QDs. Second, Alg@QDs-UOx MSs help improve the stability of the CdZnTeS QDs as well as the activity of urate oxidase during storage. Third, it is easy to use, has fast response speed, and is of low cost. Therefore, the proposed sensor shows good application prospects. Simply through the built-in camera of a smartphone, we can visualize the urine samples from patients with a high concentration of uric acid within 10 minutes, and the accuracy rates were 100%. In the range of 100.0 μM to 900.0 μM, the I/I0 values and uric acid concentrations are in a great linear relationship (R2 = 0.9973), indicating that this method can be employed for quantitative analysis of uric acid in human urine (<10 mM). The limit of detection (LOD) is 20.3 μM.

Loofah Activated Carbon Sodium Alginate Hydrogel Microspheres with High Efficiency Cyclic Adsorption for Antibiotic Contaminants

The global abuse of antibiotics has led to many environment problems such as water pollution and drug-resistant bacteria. In this study, pure natural loofah was used as raw material to form powdered loofah activated carbon (LAC) after high temperature carbonization annealing, and sodium alginate (SA) with gel ability was combined to prepare loofah activated carbon sodium alginate (LAC-SA) hydrogel sphere by external emulsification method. This work showed that the adsorption mechanisms of LAC-SA microspheres for the three antibiotics of ofloxacin (OFO), tetracycline (TC) and norfloxacin (NFO) were in line by the psedosecond-order and the formula of Langmuir. The ofloxacin (OFO) antibiotic solution was used as a sample for cyclic adsorption experiment for 10 times and the cumulative adsorption amount exceeded 700 mg g–1.

X-ray CT in Phase Contrast Enhancement Geometry of Alginate Microbeads in a Whole-Animal Model.

Imaging soft biomaterials in vivo is a significant challenge, as most conventional techniques are limited by biomaterial contrast, penetration depth, or spatial resolution. Exogeneous contrast agents used to increase contrast may also alter material properties or exhibit local toxicity. The capability to observe biomaterial constructs in vivo without introducing exogenous contrast would improve preclinical testing and evaluation. Conventional X-ray Computed Tomography allows fast, high-resolution imaging at high penetration depth, but biomaterial contrast is low. Previous studies employing X-ray phase contrast (XPC) and utilizing a synchrotron source provided support for the significant potential of XPC in imaging biomaterials without contrast agents. In this study, XPC tomography was used to image alginate hydrogel microspheres within a small animal omental pouch model using a commercially available X-ray source. Multilayer microbeads could be identified in the XPC images with volumetric and structural information not possible in histological analysis. The number of microbeads present and microbead volume and diameter could be quantified from the images. The results of this study show that XPC tomography can be a useful tool for monitoring of implanted soft biomaterials in small animal models.

Hierarchical porous nanostructured polypyrrole-coated hydrogel beads containing reduced graphene oxide and magnetite nanoparticles for extraction of phthalates in bottled drinks

A hierarchically porous polypyrrole-coated nanostructured composite of reduced graphene oxide and magnetite nanoparticles (PPy-rGOx-Fe3O4) incorporated into alginate hydrogel microspheres was synthesized and applied as a magnetic solid phase extraction adsorbent. The double network porous nanostructure of the composite hydrogel was created by CO2 produced from the reaction of hydrochloric acid with the CaCO3 in the hydrogel. The developed hydrogel microsphere was characterized and evaluated for the extraction and enrichment of phthalates. Several parameters that could potentially affect the extraction efficiency of the developed hydrogel microspheres were investigated. The developed method provided a wide linear range from 0.005 to 500 μg L−1 for dibutyl phthalate, 0.01 to 500 μg L−1 for diethyl phthalate, benzylbutyl phthalate and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, and 0.02 to 500 μg L−1 for dimethyl phthalate and di-n-octyl phthalate. Low limits of detection were obtained in the range of 0.005–0.01 μg L−1. The developed adsorbent was successfully used to extract phthalates in bottled water and beverages and the recoveries achieved were between 87.5 and 99.1%. The developed adsorbent can be used as an alternative rapid, convenient and cost effective adsorbent for the enrichment and analysis of trace phthalates.

Efficiency of Zinc and Calcium Ion Crosslinking in Alginate-coated Nitrogen Fertilizer

The work evaluated the difference of nitrogen retention in sodium alginate hydrogel microspheres with 50% of nitrogen, to allow the production of controlled release fertilizers. The crosslinking with the calcium and zinc ions occurs in a differentiated way, and it is emphasized that zinc binds more slowly and covalently. After the spheres were elaborated, a leaching test was performed to simulate the release of nitrogen by soil moisture. In this case, the zinc nitrate-reticulated beads showed a lower loss of the nitrogen content compared to calcium, with values of 6.7129% of nitrogen for zinc nitrate, corresponding to about 50% of the initial value, and 43.6345 % of nitrogen for calcium chloride corresponding to about 90% of the initial value. The characterization of the samples was performed by fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) analysis, and characteristic calcium and zinc alginate compounds were observed, in the same way as the connections caused by nitrogen. It can be defined that the zinc-crosslinked alginate obtained a lower swelling capacity and higher retention of nitrogen than with calcium chloride, being an alternative for the preparation of slow-release fertilizer. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v10i3.1103

Graphene oxide encapsulated polyvinyl alcohol/sodium alginate hydrogel microspheres for Cu (II) and U (VI) removal

In this work, a novel sodium alginate (SA)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/graphene oxide (GO) hydrogel microspheres were prepared by a simple method. Sodium alginate was physically crosslinked by Ca2+; GO was encapsulated into the composite to strengthen the hydrogels; PVA played a significant role in well dispersing of GO in SA. The SA/PVA/GO (SPG) hydrogels were employed as an efficient adsorbent for removal of Cu (II) and U (VI) from aqueous solution. Batch experiments with the subject of the pH, initial metal ion concentration, competing ions and contact time were investigated. Structure characterization was successfully conducted by FTIR, SEM, EDX, BET and XPS. Furthermore, the sorption kinetics of Cu2+ and UO22+ followed pseudo-second order model and exhibited 3-stage intraparticle diffusion model. Equilibrium data were best described by Langmuir model and the obtained maximum adsorption capacities of SPG hydrogel microspheres for Cu2+ and UO22+ were 247.16 and 403.78 mg/g, respectively. The difference in adsorption capacity can be confirmed by the percentage of elements in EDX spectra and the intension of peak of elements in XPS spectra. The SPG sorbent exhibited excellent reusability after 5 adsorption-desorption cycles. All results suggested that the prepared adsorbents could be considered as effective and promising materials for removal of Cu (II) and U (VI) in wastewater.