Preparation of polymeric cryogels for removal iron ions from human plasma

Iron overload is a major health concern associated with various diseases, including thalassemia and hemochromatosis. Current treatment options, such as chelation therapy, often suffer from side effects and limited efficacy. Polymeric cryogels have emerged as promising materials for removing iron ions from biological fluids due to their high porosity, biocompatibility, and tunable properties. This study focuses on preparing and characterising polymeric cryogels based on poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) for the selective removal of iron ions from human plasma. The cryogels were synthesized via a simple and versatile cryo-polymerization technique, and then deferoxamine (DFO) as a chelating ligand was attached. The influence of various parameters on iron adsorption capacity was investigated. The results demonstrated that PHEMA-GMA cryogels exhibited a highly porous structure with a high specific surface area, facilitating efficient iron ion adsorption. The maximum adsorption capacity of the optimized cryogel was comparable to that of commercial chelating resins. Furthermore, the cryogels displayed high selectivity for Fe3+ ions over other metal ions, indicating their potential for selective iron removal from human plasma. These findings suggest that PHEMA-GMA cryogels hold promise as a novel and effective platform for treating iron overload disorders.