Papers by Author: Min Suk Lee

Abstract: Methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (MPEG)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) diblock copolymer was synthesized by ring-opening of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL) in the presence of a monomer activator with the terminal alcohol of MPEG as an initiator. The temperature sensitive behavior of the prepared MPEG-PCL diblock copolymer solution was examined. The polymer solution formed translucent sol at the room temperature. As the temperature increased from room temperature, the sol became gel, indicating that the diblock copolymer solution at room temperature can form gel at body temperature. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) loaded MPEG-PCL diblock copolymer solution and Pluronic solution for comparison were prepared to examine the release behavior of BDNF. Pluronic gel exhibited nearly complete release of BDNF even at 2 day, while the release of BDNF in MPEG-PCL gel showed the prolonged release profile for 21 days. In this study, we confirmed that thermosensitive MPEG-PCL diblock copolymer in this work could utilize as a potential carrier of BDNF.

Abstract: To develop a wound dressing that can be removed from the injured skin without the damage and supporting rapid healing, we made hybrid dressing of small intestinal submucosa (SIS) and hydrogels. Alginate and gelatin used as a dressing material in hydrogels were selected to coat SIS sheets. Characteristics and tendency of wound healing of prepared sheets were investigated. Water uptake ability was greater when the sheets were coated with gelatin than alginate although both showed higher water absorption than the native SIS sheets, but the degradation rate of alginate/gelatin coated SIS was slower than that of native SIS because both polymers may delay contact time of enzyme to the SIS surface in solution. It was observed that less of fibroblasts attached to the natural polymer coated SIS sheets. This property will make easy for the detachment of the sheet from the defected tissue. Wound closure examination showed that prepared sheets enhanced wound healing. It was concluded that prepared alginate/gelatin coated SIS sheets are positively regarded as an appropriate biodegradable wound dressing that is reducing patient’s pain during change of the dressing.