In this research, in order to make a hydrogel with suitable properties, the combination of the properties of interpenetrating polymer networks and nanocomposites was used. In this regard, gelatin methacrylate/alginate hydrogel was made in the form of interpenetrating polymeric networks (IPN) and the properties of this hydrogel were improved with the clay nanoparticles. In this research, the effect of adding different percentages (0, 1, 2 and 3% by weight) of nanoclay on the physical, chemical, biological and mechanical properties of GelMA/alginate hydrogels was investigated and cell viability, adhesion and growth were eva‎luated. 1HNMR and FTIR approved showed GelMA formation and FTIR results showed the formation of nanocomposite IPN network. The presence of nanoclay caused a change in the porosity and pore size of hydrogel containing nanoclay and a change in morphology in the cell growth of GelMA/alginate hydrogel. Due to the increase in the physical connections, positive effect on the compressive and tensile modulus of the hydrogel was observed. Owing to the increase in cross-links, it reduced the rate of swelling and destruction of hydrogels during 14 days of exposure in dionized water compared to the hydrogel without nanoparticles. A very good agreement between the experimental results of the properties and the values predicted by different theoretical models was shown. Also, the obtained hydrogel showed suitable thin shear properties. The results of this research showed that the addition of nanoclay increased the compressive and tensile strength of GelMA/alginate hydrogels by about 3 times and 2 times, respectively, compared to the hydrogel without nanoclay. The highest compressive strength was 170.0±3.5 kPa, tensile strength was 44.6±4.2 kPa, and the elongation at the break point was about 120% in the hydrogel containing 2% by weight of nanoclay. Also, the survival of fibroblast and chondrocyte cells on GelMA/alginate nanocomposite hydrogels containing 2% by weight of nanoclay was observed to be more than 98% within 7 days. Finally, in order to investigate the self-healing property of this hydrogel, the GelMA/alginate nanocomposite hydrogel containing 2% nanoclay was examined by macromolecular and micromolecular tests, and the self-healing property of the hydrogel was confirmed. The strain sweep rheological test showed that the sample containing nanoclay have elastic behavior and suitable returnability up to 80% strain. Cyclic loading-unloading compression test showed that with the increase of 2% nanoclay, the elastic modulus of GelMA/alginate hydrogel sample increased by about 20%, and the sample containing nanoclay showed a larger hysteresis cycle. The tensile strength test on the repaired samples showed that the hydrogel sample containing 2% by weight of nanoclay, the tensile modulus was recovered up to 74%. These results show that GelMA/alginate-nanores nanocomposite hydrogel can be a suitable candidate for use in cartilage tissue engineering.

سعيد نوري خراساني

رسول اسمعيلي نيسياني , شهلا خليلي

مهشيد خرازيهاي اصفهاني , افسانه فخار , مهران حياتي