Biodegradable and biocompatible radiopaque iodinated poly-3-hydroxy butyrate: synthesis, characterization and in vitro/in vivo X-ray visibility

Some novel radiopaque biodegradable and biocompatible iodinated polymers based on poly-3-hydroxy butyrate (PHB) were obtained. Following the attachment of diethanol amine to PHB, the hydroxyl ends were capped with 4-iodobenzoic acid and 2,3,5-tri-iodobenzoic acid. In this manner, tri-novel radiopaque polymers were obtained. The resulting polymers were structurally characterized by NMR technique. They were evaluated with respect to their possible use as radiopaque implant biomaterials indicating X-ray visibility in a noninvasive manner using routine X-ray absorption imaging techniques. These polymers exhibited good radiopacity with conventional imaging X-ray techniques in vivo. Additionally, biocompatibility of these iodinated polymers was also evaluated. There were no signs of infection or abscess formation on the surgical area. These novel radiopaque PHBs should be promising biomaterials for a new-generation radiopaque materials.