NEW HYDROGEL MATRICES BASED ON CHEMICAL CROSS-LINKED ALPHA,BETA-POLYASPARTHYDRAZIDE - SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND IN-VIVO BIOCOMPATIBILITY STUDIES

New swellable micromatrices of alpha,beta-polyasparthydrazide (PAHy) c rosslinked with glutaraldehyde were prepared. The effect of crosslinki ng agent concentration was evaluated. In particular, crosslinking dens ity affected aqueous dynamic swelling and glass-transition temperature of the material. The structure of prepared networks was also studied by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray analysis. Finally, biocompat ibility of PAHy derivatives was investigated in vivo by subcutaneous i mplantation and in oral administration to laboratory animals.