Preparation and characterization of biodegradable alkylether derivatives of hyaluronan

Series of partially hydrophobic and water soluble alkyl ether hyaluronans were prepared. The conditions of chemical reaction of alkyloxymethyloxiranes with hydroxyl groups of hyaluronan (HA) were examined. Varying reagent ratio, amount of DMSO, pH, original molecular weight (Mw) and reaction time affected the formation of the products and derivatives with various degree of substitution (DS) and Mw can be obtained. All novel HA derivatives were fully biodegradable with testicular hyaluronidase. Tests for chondrocyte adhesion, proliferation, as well as their differentiation marker production on the surfaces containing HA derivatives showed better or equal quality as original HA.