Biocompatibility of Biopolymers

Abstract

This study examines the biocompatibility of two different syn thetic copolymers; a water soluble copolymer based on [N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide] (HPMA) and an insoluble polymer based on 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). Activation of classical and alternative complement pathways, phagocytic function, bone marrow status, and humoral immune re sponses were assessed after long-term application of the copolymers to mice of the C57BL/10ScSn strain. Histological examination was also performed on sec tions of liver, spleen and kidney. Our results indicate that a total dose of 2 g of HPMA copolymer/1 kg of body weight and 2.5 x 10⁹ particles/mouse of HEMA microspheres did not affect any of the immune parameters that were studied.