Cu2+ and Ag+-complexes with a hyaluronane-based hydrogel

Copper(II) and silver(I) hyaluronane-based hydrogel complexes were synthesised. The amount of metal ion uptaken by hydrogel was determined by atomic absorption and the hydrogel–metal ion complexes were characterised by water-uptake measurements, SEM-EDAX and FT-IR analysis. The coordination sites were identified for both metal ions and the stability at various pH levels was determined. The cytotoxicity of hydrogel metal ions was evaluated by using fibroblast (3T3) cells. The copper(II) complex was ‘‘in vivo’’ tested and showed proangiogenic activity, stimulating the growth of new vessels without inducing an inflammatory reaction. The antibacterial activity of a silver complex was determined, showing that the presence of silver ions drastically reduced the adhesion and proliferation of Staphylococcus epidermidis.