Acrylamide hydrogel was prepared by γ-irradiating ofthe aqueous solution of acrylamide monomer with 4.65 kGy γ-rays. Spectroscopic, thermal and mechanical properties, swelling properties, diffusional behavior of water, diffusion coefficients and network properties of AAm hydrogel are examined.

In vitro swelling and in vivo biocompatibility of acrylamide hydrogel were investigated. The swellings of AAm hydrogelare investigated in distilled water, human serum and some simulated physiological fluids such as phosphate buffer at pH 7.4, glycine-HCl buffer at pH 1.1 physiological saline solution. For the analysis of human sera biocompatibility, acrylamide hydrogel was incubated in 10 different human sera for 24 hours and its biocompatibility with some biochemical parameters have been investigated. No significant difference in values before and after the test procedures has been found. AAm hydrogel was subcutaneously implanted in rats for up to 10 weeks and the tissue response to these implants was studied. Histological analysis indicated that tissue reaction at the implant site progressed from an initial acute inflammatory response characterized. No necrosis, tumorigenesis or infection was observed at the implant site up to 10 weeks. In vivo studies indicated that the radiation induced acrylamide hydrogel was found to be well-tolerated, non-toxic and highly biocompatible.