Hybrid PVA-xanthan gum hydrogels as nucleus pulposus substitutes

Hybrid hydrogels were synthesized mixing poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and xanthan gum (XG) in different molar ratios and using trisodium trimetaphosphate, as crosslinking agent, to obtain potential nucleus pulposus substitutes. Human Nucleus Pulposus (NP) is a hydrogel-like tissue with peculiar properties, which determine its role in supporting and dissipating spinal loads. Hydrogel obtained mixing PVA and XG in molar ratio 4:1 (PX25) showed mechanical, swelling, and thermal properties, i.e., heat capacity, which make it a good candidate as a potential NP substitute. Preliminary cytotoxicity tests pointed out that the developed materials did not show any signs of cytotoxicity towards NIH3T3 cells.