S-Nitroso--acetyl-D-penicillamine covalently linked to polydimethylsiloxane (SNAP-PDMS) for use as a controlled photoinitiated nitric oxide release polymer.

Nitric oxide (NO) plays a critical role in the regulation of a wide variety of physiological processes. It is a potent inhibitor of platelet adhesion and aggregation, inhibits bacterial adhesion and proliferation, is implicated in mediating the inflammatory response toward implanted devices, plays a role in tumor growth and proliferation, and is a neurotransmitter. Herein, we describe the synthesis and NO-release properties of a modified polydimethylsiloxane that contains S-nitroso--acetyl-D-penicillamine covalently attached to the cross-linking agent (SNAP-DMS). Light from a C503B-BAN-CY0C0461 light-emitting diode (470 nm) was used as an external trigger to allow precise control over level and duration of NO release ranging from a surface flux of zero to approximately 3.5×10 mol cm min. SNAP-PDMS films stored in the dark released NO after 297 days, indicating the long-term stability of SNAP-PDMS.