Injectable hydrogels containing heparin and sodium alginate: Preparation, biocompatibility, and potential applications

Abstract

Heparin (HEP) is a form of glycosaminoglycan, that can influence physiological functions. Therefore, heparin hydrogels offer broad application prospects in tissue engineering. Here, the HEP-based injectable hydrogel was prepared using HEP and sodium-alginate (SA). To create HEP with amino groups, adipic dihydrazide was grafted to HEP using the Adipic Dihydrazide (ADH) method. Then, SA was oxidised by sodium periodate. A novel HEP-based hydrogel was formed through the Schiff base reaction. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the pores in the hydrogel were suitable for cell growth. The cytocompatibility of the HEPbased hydrogel was investigated by MTT colorimetric assay and cell live/dead staining. The results showed that the HEP-based hydrogel has good biocompatibility, and can promote cell growth and proliferation. In conclusion, the HEP-based hydrogel can be applied in regenerative tissue engineering.