ADSORPTION OF PLASMA-PROTEINS TO DMAA HYDROGELS OBTAINED BY IONIZING-RADIATION AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH BLOOD COMPATIBILITY

The interaction of plasma proteins such as albumin, gamma-globulin, an d fibrinogen with the surface of graft copolymers DMAA-G-PTFE, DMAA-G- PETFE, and DMPLA-G-PE obtained by radiation graft polymerization was s tudied. The adsorption of serum proteins was affected by the hydrophil icity of the graft copolymers. Increased albumin adsorption and decrea sed fibrinogen and gamma-globulin adsorption with increasing grafting levels was shown. A certain range of degrees of grafting showed an imp roved blood compatibility of the polymeric surfaces due to the existen ce of a hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance on the polymers. The results s uggest that the DMAA-G-PTFE, DMAA-G-PETFE, and DMAA-G-FE graft copolym ers can be used as biomaterials for longterm use in cardiovascular sys tems.