N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine → N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine

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In one aspect, a hydrogel composition for use as a support scaffold for developing mineralizing connective tissue is provided. The basic hydrogel solution consists of a 30% (w/v) solution of albumin in phosphate-buffered saline containing 40 mM N-acetylcysteine mixed in a 1:1 ratio with a suspension of mineral salt(s) in water. Either of two mineral salt suspensions stimulates hydrogel formation and alters the characteristics of the gel: (1) 0.5 g calcium hydroxide suspended in 10 mL water or (2) 0.5 g calcium hydroxide suspended in 10 mL water and 0.5 g magnesium hydroxide suspended in 10 mL water, then combined in ratios of 2.5:1 up to 6:1 calcium hydroxide to magnesium hydroxide. The albumin/N-acetylcysteine solution is mixed 1:1 with either of the mineral salt solutions, yielding a final volume ratio of (1) 1:1 for the albumin/N-acetylcysteine to calcium hydroxide mixture or (2) multiple volume ratios of albumin/N-acetylcysteine to the combined calcium hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide suspension. The addition of small amounts of other additives (e.g., fibrinogen, beta-glycerol phosphate, 2-phosphoascorbic acid) does not affect formation of the hydrogel.

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