Fibrin as a matrix for grafting 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate: Preparation and characterization of the graft and its in vivo evaluation for wound healing

Abstract In this work, fibrin was used as a substrate to graft 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) by free radical polymerization using potassium persulfate and sodium metabisulfite as redox initiators. The extent of grafting the synthetic polymer on the biopolymer was studied under various experimental conditions, and the optimum factors for affording maximum grafting were standardized. The graft, fib‐g‐p[HEMA], was characterized by Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction studies. The graft exhibited a higher shelf life than native fibrin. The biocompatibility of the graft has been tested by in vivo studies and the results, in terms of collagen formation and wound size, proved its suitability for wound healing. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 65A: 435–440, 2003