Preparation and characterization of infection-resistant antibiotics-releasing hydrogels rods of poly[hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-(poly(ethylene glycol)-methacrylate]: biomedical application in a novel rabbit penile prosthesis model.

In this work, preparation and characterization of novel three different antibiotic loaded penile prosthesis in the rod form were investigated by copolymerization of 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) with poly(ethylene glycol)-methacrylate, (PEG-MA). To achieve this goal, a series of novel copolymer hydrogels were prepared in rod form using HEMA and PEG-MA monomers via UV initiated photopolymerization. The thermal stability of the copolymer was found to be lowered by increase in the ratio of PEG-MA in the rod structure. Contact angle measurements on the surface of copolymer hydrogel demonstrated that the copolymer gave rise to a significant hydrophilic surface compared with pure poly(HEMA). The blood protein adsorption and platelet adhesion were significantly reduced on the surface of the copolymer hydrogels compared with control pure poly(HEMA). Poly(HEMA:PEG-MA;1:1)-1 formulation containing different antibiotics (20 mg antibiotic/g polymer) released about 90, 91, and 55% of the total loaded cephtriaxon, vancomycin, and gentamicin in 48 h at pH 7.4, respectively. Finally, antibiotics loaded biocompatible poly(HEMA:PEG-MA;1:1)-1 hydrogel compositions was used as a penile prosthesis in preventing cavernous tissue infections in a rabbit prosthesis model. The efficacy of the three different antibiotics loaded hydrogel system was evaluated in four different groups of rabbits, in which various infectious agents were inoculated. The animals were sacrificed after predetermined time periods, and clinical, histological and microbiological assessment on the implant side were carried out to detect infections. Eventually, we concluded that three different antibiotic loaded penile prostheses (i.e. poly(HEMA:PEG-MA;1:1)-1 hydrogel systems) were as effective as parenteral antibiotics applications.