PREPARATION OF POLY(VINYL ALCOHOL)-BLENDE D HYDROGELS WITH AN INHIBITION EFFECT FOR CELL ATTACHMENT AND THEIR PERMEATION PROPERTIES OF VITAMIN-B-12 AND DISSOLVED-OXYGEN

New hydrogel membranes, which have an inhibition effect for cell attac hment, were prepared by blending of PVA with poly(ethylene glycol) (PE G) or poly(acryl amide) (PAAm). Their permeation properties of vitamin Bit and dissolved oxygen through their membranes were studied. Blende d membranes of PVA and PEG or PAAm were prepared by mixing each compon ent at various mixing ratios in an autoclave, casting, and drying in a ir. When their membranes were immersed in distilled water, both the PE G and the PAAm components were released from the corresponding membran es. Both the blended hydrogels inhibited attachment of cultured fibrob last cells more than did those prepared with PVA only. The unfrozen wa ter content and the free water content estimated from DSC measurements increased with increasing PEG (or PAAm) content. The permeability coe fficients of vitamin Bit increased with increasing PEG (or PAAm) conte nt. The PAAm hydrogels had higher permeability of vitamin Bit than did the PEG hydrogels. The permeability coefficients of dissolved oxygen increased with increasing PEG (or PAAm) content. The PEG hydrogels had higher permeability of dissolved oxygen than did the PAAm hydrogels. These results were considered in relation to the physical structure an d the state of water in the hydrogel membranes.