Real-Time Fluorescence Tracking of Protoporphyrin Incorporated Thermosensitive Hydrogel and Its Drug Release in Vivo

Fluorescence imaging in vivo will pave an important way for the evaluation of biomaterials. The major advantage of fluorescence imaging compared to other imaging modalities is the possibility of tracking two or more fluorescence probes simultaneously with multispectral fluorescence imaging. It is essential to elucidate the location, erosion, drug release and resection of implanted biomaterials in vivo. Herein, a thermosensitive hydrogel with a protoporphyrin core based on a PEG and PCL copolymer (PCL–PEG–PPOR–PEG–PCL) was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization using protoporphyrin as a fluorescence tag. The optical properties of the hydrogel were investigated by UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopy in vitro and by fluorescence imaging system in vivo. The hydrogel erosion and drug delivery in vivo were monitored and tracked by multispectral fluorescence imaging system in nude mice. The results show that the thermosensitive hydrogel exhibits fluorescence and injectability in vivo with good biocompatibility. Through the modality of fluorescence imaging, the status of the hydrogel is reflected in situ in vivo including its location and erosion. Multispectral analysis separates the autofluorescence signals from the specific label and provides the ability to locate the drug and carrier. The protoporphyrin incorporated thermosensitive hydrogel can be a potential visiable biomedical implant for tissue repair or drug delivery.