Department of Chemistry
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Item Development of Novel Silk/Collagen based Hydrogels as Nucleus Pulposus Alternatives for Improved Spine Care(Library Information Services COMSATS University Islamabad Lahore Campus, 2021-02-23) Ifrah Kainat; FA19-R06-006; Dr. Aqif Anwar; LHR TP 7332Spine being the main structural unit of human body helps in keeping it in well defined shape and allowing it to perform its normal activities. Without a spine human structure will collapse and the body will not be able to maintain its integrity. The Spine is dependent on small intervertebral discs present amid the vertebrae to keep it standing and perform the vital functions. These intervertebral discs have three main structural unit mainly annulus fibrosus, nucleus pulposus and the end plates. Degeneration of the discs occur due to nucleus pulposus when it fails to perform its functions due to loss to water and other chemical components which allows it to withstand the mechanical pressure coming from different body parts. Disc degenerative diseases are the main health concern all over the globe as it effects the health of workers, in different fields of life. Problems associated with lower back pain have been an issue for mankind for centuries. Biblical and Hippocratic data have recorded the earliest cases of patients with lower back pain. Lower back pain is a major health concern in industrialized countries all over the world, placing an economic burden on the society. Billions are consumed on health care due to lower pain all over the globe. Different methods to cure DDDs include discectomy, implants and fusion. Most of these are shortlived treatments and results in reduction of disc height. Most recent approach is to replace the problem causing nucleus pulposus with some other biocompatible material that can mimic its natural properties in having enough mechanical strength. Hydrogels are supposed to be best materials to replace nucleus pulposus. Keeping in view we tried to fabricate silk , PVA and collagen based hydrogels crosslinked by glutaraldehyde as a replacement for nucleus pulposus. The hydrogels were fabricated using freeze drying method and were characterized using FTIR, SEM, Alamar blue assay, swelling and degradation studies. The characterization showed designed hydrogels were cell compatible, non-cytotoxic and were stable under swelling and degradation studies. These hydrogels can be further studied and can be used as a viable nucleus pulposus replacement.