Temperature/near-infrared light-responsive conductive hydrogels for controlled drug release and real-time monitoring

Nanoscale. 2020 Apr 30;12(16):8679-8686. doi: 10.1039/d0nr01736a.

Abstract

Stimuli-responsive hydrogels with adaptable physical properties show great potential in the biomedical field. In particular, the collection of electrical signals is essential for precision medicine. Here, a simple strategy is demonstrated for achieving controlled drug release and real-time monitoring using an interpenetrating binary network consisting of a graphene aerogel and a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogel with incorporated polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA-NPs). Owing to the good physical properties of graphene and the embedded PDA-NPs, the hybrid hydrogel shows enhanced mechanical properties and good electrical conductivity. In addition, the hybrid hydrogel also shows dual thermo- and near-infrared light responsiveness, as revealed by the controlled release of a model drug. In addition, as the hydrogel exhibits detectable changes in resistance during drug release, the drug-release behavior of the hydrogel can be monitored in real time using electrical signals. Moreover, owing to the abundance of catechol groups on the PDA-NPs, the hybrid hydrogel shows good tissue adhesiveness, as demonstrated using in vivo experiments. Thus, the developed hybrid hydrogel exhibits considerable practical applicability for drug delivery and precision medicine.

MeSH terms

  • Acrylamides / chemistry
  • Animals
  • Delayed-Action Preparations / administration & dosage
  • Delayed-Action Preparations / chemistry*
  • Delayed-Action Preparations / pharmacokinetics
  • Delayed-Action Preparations / radiation effects
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Graphite / chemistry
  • Hydrogels / administration & dosage
  • Hydrogels / chemistry*
  • Hydrogels / pharmacokinetics
  • Hydrogels / radiation effects
  • Indoles / chemistry
  • Infrared Rays
  • Mice
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Precision Medicine
  • Temperature
  • Tissue Adhesives / administration & dosage
  • Tissue Adhesives / chemistry
  • Tissue Adhesives / pharmacokinetics
  • Tissue Adhesives / radiation effects
  • Wounds and Injuries / drug therapy

Substances

  • Acrylamides
  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • Hydrogels
  • Indoles
  • Polymers
  • Tissue Adhesives
  • polydopamine
  • Graphite
  • N-isopropylacrylamide