Polyurethane foam/nano hydroxyapatite composite as a suitable scaffold for bone tissue regeneration.

In bone tissue regeneration, the use of biomineralized scaffolds to create the 3D porous structure needed for well-fitting with defect size and appropriate cell interactions, is a promising alternative to autologous and heterologous bone grafts. Biomineralized polyurethane (PU) foams are here investigated as scaffold for bone tissue regeneration. Biomineralization of the foams was carried out by activation of PU surface by a two steps procedure performed for different times (1 to 4 weeks). Scaffolds were investigated for morphological, chemico-physical and mechanical properties, as well as for in vitro interaction with rat Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BMSCs). Untreated and biomineralized PU samples showed a homogenous morphology and regular pore size (average Ø=407µm). Phase and structure of formed calcium phosphates (CaPs) layer onto the PU foam were analyzed by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, proving the formation of bone-like nano hydroxyapatite. Biomineralization caused a significant increase of mechanical properties of treated foams compared to untreated ones. Biomineralization also affected the PU scaffold cytocompatibility providing a more appropriate surface for cell attachment and proliferation. Considering the obtained results, the proposed scaffold can be considered suitable for bone tissue regeneration.

Programmed cell delivery from biodegradable microcapsules for tissue repair.

Injectable and resorbable hydrogels are an extremely attractive class of biomaterials. They make it possible to fill tissue defects accurately with an undoubtedly minimally invasive approach and to locally deliver cells that support repair or regeneration processes. However, their use as a cell carrier is often hindered by inadequate diffusion in bulk. A possible strategy for overcoming this transport limitation might be represented by injection of rapidly degradable cell-loaded microcapsules, so that maximum material thickness is limited by sphere radius. Here, the possibility of achieving programmable release of viable cells from alginate-based microcapsules was explored in vitro, by evaluating variations in material stability resulting from changes in hydrogel composition and assessing cell viability after encapsulation and in vitro release from microcapsules. Degradation of pure alginate microspheres was varied from a few days to several weeks by varying sodium alginate and calcium chloride concentrations. The addition of poloxamer was also found to accelerate degradation significantly, with capsule breakdown almost complete by two weeks, while chitosan was confirmed to strengthen alginate cross-linking. The presence of viable cells inside microspheres was revealed after encapsulation, and released cells were observed for all the formulations tested after a time interval dependent on bead degradation speed. These findings suggest that it may be possible to fine tune capsule breakdown by means of simple changes in material formulation and regulate, and eventually optimize, cell release for tissue repair.

Micro- and nano-hydroxyapatite as active reinforcement for soft biocomposites.

Pectin-based biocomposite hydrogels were produced by internal gelation, using different hydroxyapatite (HA) powders from commercial source or synthesized by the wet chemical method. HA possesses the double functionality of cross-linking agent and inorganic reinforcement. The mineralogical composition, grain size, specific surface area and microstructure of the hydroxyapatite powders are shown to strongly influence the properties of the biocomposites. Specifically, the grain size and specific surface area of the HA powders are strictly correlated to the gelling time and rheological properties of the hydrogels at room temperature. Pectin pH is also significant for the formation of ionic cross-links and therefore for the hydrogels stability at higher temperatures. The obtained results point out that micrometric-size hydroxyapatite can be proposed for applications which require rapid gelling kinetics and improved mechanical properties; conversely the nanometric hydroxyapatite synthesized in the present work seems the best choice to obtain homogeneous hydrogels with more easily controlled gelling kinetics.

Adipose-derived stem cells could sense the nano-scale cues as myogenic-differentiating factors.

Microenvironmental cues, such as surface topography and substrate stiffness, may affect stem cells adhesion, morphology, alignment, proliferation and differentiation. Adipose derived stem cells (ASCs) have attracted considerable interest in regenerative medicine due to their easy isolation, extensive in vitro expandability and ability to differentiate along a number of different tissue-specific lineages. The aim of this work was to investigate ASCs adhesion, alignment and differentiation into myogenic lineage on nanofibrous polymeric scaffolds with anisotropic topography. Nanostructured scaffolds with randomized or parallel fibers were fabricated by electrospinning using polycaprolactone (PCL) and the polycarbonate-urethane ChronoFlex AL 80A (CFAL). Cells expressed myosin (fast skeletal) and tropomyosin in all surface topographies 7 days after seeding but myotube formation was only observed on CFAL scaffolds and only few myotubes were formed on PCL scaffolds. The different cell behavior could be ascribed to two main parameters: fibers dimensions and fibers orientation of the substrates that could result in a better myotube formation on CFAL scaffolds.

Advances in biomedical applications of pectin gels.

Pectin, due to its simple and cytocompatible gelling mechanism, has been recently exploited for different biomedical applications including drug delivery, gene delivery, wound healing and tissue engineering. Recent studies involving pectin for the biomedical field are reviewed, with the aim to capture the state of art on current research about pectin gels for biomedical applications, moving outside the traditional fields of application such as the food industry or pharmaceutics. Pectin structure, sources and extraction procedures have been discussed focussing on the properties of the polysaccharide that can be tuned to optimize the gels for a desired application and possess a fundamental role in application of pectin in the biomedical field.

Pectin-based injectable biomaterials for bone tissue engineering.

A variety of natural polymers and proteins are considered to be 3D cell culture structures able to mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) to promote bone tissue regeneration. Pectin, a natural polysaccharide extracted from the plant cell walls and having a chemical structure similar to alginate, provides interesting properties as artificial ECM. In this work, for the first time, pectin, modified with an RGD-containing oligopeptide or not, is used as an ECM alternative to immobilize cells for bone tissue regeneration. The viability, metabolic activity, morphology, and osteogenic differentiation of immobilized MC3T3-E1 preosteoblats demonstrate the potential of this polysaccharide to keep immobilized cells viable and differentiating. Preosteoblasts immobilized in both types of pectin microspheres maintained a constant viability up to 29 days and were able to differentiate. The grafting of the RGD peptide on pectin backbone induced improved cell adhesion and proliferation within the microspheres. Furthermore, not only did cells grow inside but also they were able to spread out from the microspheres and to organize themselves in 3D structures producing a mineralized extracellular matrix. These promising results suggest that pectin can be proposed as an injectable cell vehicle for bone tissue regeneration.

Structural properties of polysaccharide-based microcapsules for soft tissue regeneration.

Autologous and eterologous cell encapsulation has been extensively studied for clinical application in functional organs substitution, recombinant cell transplantation in gene therapy or in muscle and cartilage regeneration to treat degenerative pathologies. In this work, calcium alginate, calcium alginate/chitosan, calcium alginate/gelatin and pectin/chitosan microcapsules were prepared to be used as innovative injectable scaffolds for soft issue regeneration by a simple extrusion method from aqueous solutions. Prepared microcapsules had spherical morphology, whereas their size was deeply influenced by the polymeric composition. When incubated in a physiological-like environment up to 30 days, they underwent an initial swelling, followed by weight loss at different rates, depending on the microcapsules formulation. The encapsulation of mouse myoblast cells (C2C12 cell line) was obtained in calcium alginate, calcium alginate/chitosan, calcium alginate/gelatin microcapsules. Cells were alive throughout the encapsulation procedure, and were recovered by a mechanical rupture of the microcapsules. After 7 days, fractured microcapsules led cells to migrate gradually out.

Ability of polyurethane foams to support placenta-derived cell adhesion and osteogenic differentiation: preliminary results.

In bone tissue reconstruction, the use of engineered constructs created by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that differentiate and proliferate into 3D porous scaffolds is an appealing alternative to clinical therapies. Human placenta represents a possible source of MSCs, as it is readily available without invasive procedures and because of the phenotypic plasticity of many of the cell types isolated from this tissue. The scaffold considered in this work is a slowly degradable polyurethane foam (EF PU foam), synthesized and characterized for morphology and in vitro interaction with chorion mesenchymal cells (CMCs). These cells were isolated from human term placenta and cultured onto the EF PU foam using two different culture media (EMEM and NH osteogenic differentiation medium). Synthesized EF PU foam showed homogeneous pore size and distribution, with 89% open porosity. In vitro tests showed CMCs scaffold colonization, as confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) observations and hematoxylin-eosin staining. Alizarin Red staining revealed the presence of a small amount of calcium deposition for the samples treated with the osteogenic differentiation medium. Therefore, the proposed EF PU foam appears to stimulate cell adhesion in vitro, sustaining CMCs growth and differentiation into the osteogenic lineage.

Biodegradable microgrooved polymeric surfaces obtained by photolithography for skeletal muscle cell orientation and myotube development.

During tissue formation, skeletal muscle precursor cells fuse together to form multinucleated myotubes. To understand this mechanism, in vitro systems promoting cell alignment need to be developed; for this purpose, micrometer-scale features obtained on substrate surfaces by photolithography can be used to control and affect cell behaviour. This work was aimed at investigating how differently microgrooved polymeric surfaces can affect myoblast alignment, fusion and myotube formation in vitro. Microgrooved polymeric films were obtained by solvent casting of a biodegradable poly-l-lactide/trimethylene carbonate copolymer (PLLA-TMC) onto microgrooved silicon wafers with different groove widths (5, 10, 25, 50, 100microm) and depths (0.5, 1, 2.5, 5microm), obtained by a standard photolithographic technique. The surface topography of wafers and films was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. Cell assays were performed using C2C12 cells and myotube formation was analysed by immunofluorescence assays. Cell alignment and circularity were also evaluated using ImageJ software. The obtained results confirm the ability of microgrooved surfaces to influence myotube formation and alignment; in addition, they represent a novel further improvement to the comprehension of best features to be used. The most encouraging results were observed in the case of microstructured PLLA-TMC films with grooves of 2.5 and 1microm depth, presenting, in particular, a groove width of 50 and 25microm.

Ability of polyurethane foams to support cell proliferation and the differentiation of MSCs into osteoblasts.

In bone tissue reconstruction, the use of engineered constructs created by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that differentiate and proliferate into three-dimensional porous scaffolds is an appealing alternative to autologous and heterologous bone grafts. Scaffolds considered in this work are represented by polyurethane (PU) foams. Two PU foams (EC-1 and EC-2) were synthesized and characterized for morphology, mechanical properties and in vitro interaction with the osteoblast-like cell line MG63 and MSCs from human bone marrow. EC-1 and EC-2 showed similar densities (0.20 g cm(-3)) with different morphologies: EC-1 showed a more homogeneous pore size (average Phi = 691 microm) and distribution, with a 35% open porosity, whereas EC-2 evidenced a wide range of pore dimension, with an average pore size of 955 microm and a 74% open porosity. The compressive properties of the two foams were similar in the dry condition and both showed a strong decrease in the wet condition. In vitro tests showed good MG63 cell proliferation, as confirmed by the results of the MTT assay and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations, with a higher cell viability on EC-2 foam 7 days post-seeding. In the experiments with MSCs, SEM observations showed the presence of an inorganic phase deposition starting day 7 onto EC-1, day 14 onto EC-2. The inorganic particles (CaP) deposition was much more evident onto the pore surface of both foams at day 30, indicating good differentiation of MSCs into osteoblasts. Both PU foams therefore appeared to stimulate cell adhesion and proliferation in vitro, sustaining the MSCs' growth and differentiation into osteoblasts.

Skin-derived stem cells transplanted into resorbable guides provide functional nerve regeneration after sciatic nerve resection.

The regeneration in the peripheral nervous system is often incomplete and the treatment of severe lesions with nerve tissue loss is primarily aimed at recreating nerve continuity. Guide tubes of various types, filled with Schwann cells, stem cells, or nerve growth factors are attractive as an alternative therapy to nerve grafts. In this study, we evaluated whether skin-derived stem cells (SDSCs) can improve peripheral nerve regeneration after transplantation into nerve guides. We compared peripheral nerve regeneration in adult rats with sciatic nerve gaps of 16 mm after autologous transplantation of GFP-labeled SDSCs into two different types of guides: a synthetic guide, obtained by dip coating with a L-lactide and trimethylene carbonate (PLA-TMC) copolymer and a collagen-based guide. The sciatic function index and the recovery rates of the compound muscle action potential were significantly higher in the animals that received SDSCs transplantation, in particular, into the collagen guide, compared to the control guides filled only with PBS. For these guides the morphological and immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated an increased number of myelinated axons expressing S100 and Neurofilament 70, suggesting the presence of regenerating nerve fibers along the gap. GFP positive cells were found around regenerating nerve fibers and few of them were positive for the expression of glial markers as S-100 and glial fibrillary acidic protein. RT-PCR analysis confirmed the expression of S100 and myelin basic protein in the animals treated with the collagen guide filled with SDSCs. These data support the hypothesis that SDSCs could represent a tool for future cell therapy applications in peripheral nerve regeneration.

Bioabsorbable scaffold for in situ bone regeneration.

A non-porous poly-DL-lactide tubular chamber filled by demineralised bone matrix (DBM) and bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) in combination, was evaluated as a scaffold for guided bone regeneration (GBR) in an experimental model using the rabbit radius. The tubular chamber had an internal diameter of 4.7 mm, a wall thickness of 0.4 mm and a length of 18 mm. Autologous BMSC were obtained, under general anaesthesia from rabbit iliac crest and isolated by centrifugation technique. Allogenic DBM was obtained from cortico-cancellous bone of rabbits. In general anaesthesia, a 10-mm defect was bilaterally created in the radii of 10 rabbits. On the right side (experimental side) the defect was bridged with the chamber filled with both BMSC and DBM. On the left side (control side) the defect was treated by positioning DBM and BMSC between the two stumps. At an experimental time of 4 months histology and histomorphometry demonstrated that the presence of a tubular chamber significantly improved bone regrowth in the defect The mean thickness of newly-formed bone inside the chamber was about 56.7+/-3.74% of the normal radial cortex, in comparison with 46.7+/-10.7% when DBM and BMSC without the chamber were placed in the defect, P<0.05). These results confirmed the effectiveness of the chamber as a container for factors promoting bone regeneration.

Antibacterial activity of zinc modified titanium oxide surface.

Titanium-based implants are successfully used for various biomedical applications. However, in some cases, e.g. in dental implants, failures due to bacterial colonization are reported. Surface modification is a commonly proposed strategy to prevent infections. In this work, titanium oxide, naturally occurring on the surface of titanium, was modified by promoting the formation of a mixed titanium and zinc oxide, on the basis of the idea that zinc oxide on titanium surface may act as the zinc oxide used in pharmaceutical formulation for its lenitive and antibacterial effects. The present work shows that it is possible to form a mixed titanium and zinc oxide on titanium surfaces, as shown by Scanning Electron Microscopy and XPS analysis. To this end titanium was preactivated by UV on crystalline titanium oxide, both in the anatase form or in the co-presence of anatase and rutile. By performing antibacterial assays, we provide evidence of a significant reduction in the viability of five streptococcal oral strains on titanium oxide surfaces modified with zinc. In conclusion, this type of chemical modification of titanium oxide surfaces with zinc might be considered a new way to reduce the risk of bacterial colonization, increasing the lifetime of dental system applications.

Microspheres leaching for scaffold porosity control.

Scaffold morphology plays a key role in the development of tissue engineering constructs. The control of pore size, shape and interconnection is needed to achieve adequate nutrient transport and cell ingrowth. Several techniques are available for scaffold manufacturing, but none allows easy control of morphology and is, at the same time, applicable to a wide variety of materials. To investigate the possibility of processing a wide range polymers by solvent casting/particulate leaching with accurate control of scaffold morphology, three different porogens (gelatin microspheres, paraffin microspheres and sodium chloride crystals) were used to fabricate scaffolds from commonly employed biodegradable polymers. The outcome of processing was evaluated in terms of scaffold morphology and structure/properties relationships. Highly porous scaffolds were obtained with all porogens and well defined spherical pores resulted from microspheres leaching. Furthermore, scaffolds with spherical pores showed better mechanical performance and lower flow resistance. Cytocompatibility tests performed showed no evidence of processing residuals released from the scaffolds. Solvent casting/microspheres leaching, particularly gelatin microspheres leaching, can be used to process a large number of polymers and enables to tailor scaffold pore size, shape and interconnection, thus providing a powerful tool for material selection and optimization of scaffold morphology.

Calcified matrix production by SAOS-2 cells inside a polyurethane porous scaffold, using a perfusion bioreactor.

The repair and regeneration of damaged or resected bone are problematic. Bone autografts show optimal skeletal incorporation, but often bring about complications. Hence, there is increasing interest in designing new biomaterials that could potentially be used in the form of scaffolds as bone substitutes. In this study we used a hydrophobic cross-linked polyurethane in a typical tissue-engineering approach, that is, the seeding and in vitro culturing of cells within a porous scaffold. The polyurethane porous scaffold had an average pore diameter of 624 microm. Using a perfusion bioreactor, we investigated the effect of shear stress on SAOS-2 human osteoblast proliferation and calcified matrix production. The physical, morphological, and compressive properties of the polyurethane foam were characterized. At a scaffold perfusion rate of 3 mL/min, in comparison with static conditions without perfusion, we observed 33% higher cell proliferation; higher secretion of osteopontin, osteocalcin, decorin, and type I collagen (9.16-fold, 71.9-fold, 30.6-fold, and 18.12-fold, respectively); and 10-fold increased calcium deposition. The design of the bioreactor and the design of the polyurethane foam aimed at obtaining cell colonization and calcified matrix deposition. This cultured biomaterial could be used, in clinical applications, as an osteoinductive implant for bone repair.

Design, synthesis and properties of polyurethane hydrogels for tissue engineering.

Due to their similarity to natural soft tissues, water-swellable polymeric materials (hydrogels) are, in principle, ideal candidates for scaffolds/matrices in tissue engineering. Polyurethanes (PU), hydrophilic but water-insoluble, can be obtained by the incorporation of hydrophilic soft segments, e.g. poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). These materials possess the favorable characteristics of the family of PUs as well as the ability to mimic soft tissues. In this work, new crosslinked PU-hydrogels were prepared in a one-step bulk polymerization process using an aliphatic diisocyanate, PEO, a low molecular weight diol, and a tri-functional crosslinking agent. A porous structure was also obtained by air-incorporation under mechanical stirring at a controlled high speed during the polymerization. Structural characteristics of the compact (PU-HyC) and the porous (PU-HyP) material were investigated. Molecular weight between cross-links, M(c), and crosslinking density, rho(x), were typical of a low crosslinking degree. A homogeneous distribution of non-interconnecting pores (phi100 microm) was observed in PU-HyP. Both materials showed a high water adsorption. The swelling behavior and weight loss in water was affected by porosity. For their mechanical behavior in the swollen state, the novel PU hydrogels can be considered for biomedical applications where good mechanical properties are required (i.e. 3D scaffold for tissue engineering).

Cytocompatibility of polyurethane foams as biointegrable matrices for the preparation of scaffolds for bone reconstruction.

This work reports preliminary results on the development of biointegrable scaffolds, composed of biostable 3D polymer matrices and bioabsorbable inorganic salts, to be used for cell anchorage in bone regeneration. Three crosslinked polyurethane foams (PUFs), prepared by one-step bulk polymerisation from a polyether-polyol mixture, polymeric MDI and water as expanding agent, were tested for their ability to promote adhesion and growth of bone-derived cells. The open porosity of these foams ranged from 16 to 31% with an average pore size of 470 /600 microm, compressive strength (at 10% ε ) of 0.28/0.38 MPa and elastic moduli of 4.88/6.61 MPa. The human osteosarcoma line Saos-2, and primary cultures of normal human articular chondrocytes and bone marrow-derived (HBM) stromal cells were used for in vitro cytocompatibility tests. For cell adhesion and proliferation analysis, DNA synthesis was evaluated by 3 H-thymidine uptake. Osteoblastic differentiation of Saos-2 adherent cells was determined by measuring the enzymatic activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP). All cell types were able to adhere to all tested PUFs and to synthesize DNA. At 48 hr culture, HBM stromal cells showed the maximal rate of adhesion with the highest rate of proliferation onto PUFs with the largest pore size, whereas both chondrocytes and Saos-2 appeared to adhere preferentially onto foams exhibiting the highest percentage of open porosity. Up to 8 days in culture Saos-2 cells were able to proliferate into all PUFs, with a time-dependent increase of DNA synthesis and ALP activity. At SEM, the morphology of cells adherent to PUF pores was spread with cytoplasmatic extroflessions, indicating a good metabolic activation. These results demonstrate a good cytocompatibility of the proposed 3D matrices, suggesting that their use in the preparation of composite scaffolds is worth further investigation. (Journal of Applied Biomaterials & Biomechanics 2003; 1: 58-66)ABSTRACT: This work reports preliminary results on the development of biointegrable scaffolds, composed of biostable 3D polymer matrices and bioabsorbable inorganic salts, to be used for cell anchorage in bone regeneration. Three crosslinked polyurethane foams (PUFs), prepared by one-step bulk polymerisation from a polyether-polyol mixture, polymeric MDI and water as expanding agent, were tested for their ability to promote adhesion and growth of bone-derived cells. The open porosity of these foams ranged from 16 to 31% with an average pore size of 470 /600 microm, compressive strength (at 10% ε ) of 0.28/0.38 MPa and elastic moduli of 4.88/6.61 MPa. The human osteosarcoma line Saos-2, and primary cultures of normal human articular chondrocytes and bone marrow-derived (HBM) stromal cells were used for in vitro cytocompatibility tests. For cell adhesion and proliferation analysis, DNA synthesis was evaluated by 3 H-thymidine uptake. Osteoblastic differentiation of Saos-2 adherent cells was determined by measuring the enzymatic activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP). All cell types were able to adhere to all tested PUFs and to synthesize DNA. At 48 hr culture, HBM stromal cells showed the maximal rate of adhesion with the highest rate of proliferation onto PUFs with the largest pore size, whereas both chondrocytes and Saos-2 appeared to adhere preferentially onto foams exhibiting the highest percentage of open porosity. Up to 8 days in culture Saos-2 cells were able to proliferate into all PUFs, with a time-dependent increase of DNA synthesis and ALP activity. At SEM, the morphology of cells adherent to PUF pores was spread with cytoplasmatic extroflessions, indicating a good metabolic activation. These results demonstrate a good cytocompatibility of the proposed 3D matrices, suggesting that their use in the preparation of composite scaffolds is worth further investigation. (Journal of Applied Biomaterials & Biomechanics 2003; 1: 58-66).

Silk fibroin-polyurethane scaffolds for tissue engineering.

Silk fibroin (SF) is a highly promising protein for its surface and structural properties, associated with a good bio- and hemo-compatibility. However, its mechanical properties and architecture cannot be easily tailored to meet the requirements of specific applications. In this work, SF was used to modify the surface properties of polyurethanes (PUs), thus obtaining 2D and 3D scaffolds for tissue regeneration. PUs were chosen for their well known advantageous properties and versatility; they can be obtained either as 2D (films) or 3D (foams) substrates. Films of a medical-grade poly-carbonate-urethane were prepared by solvent casting; PU foams were purposely designed and prepared with a morphology (porosity and cell size) adequate for cell growth. PU substrates were coated with fibroin by a dipping technique. To stabilize the coating layer, a conformational change of the protein from the alpha-form (water soluble) to the beta-form (not water soluble) was induced. Novel methodology in UV spectroscopy were developed for quantitatively analyzing the SF-concentration in dilute solutions. Pure fibroin was used as standard, as an alternative to the commonly used albumin, allowing real concentration values to be obtained. SF-coatings showed good stability in physiological-like conditions. A treatment with methanol further stabilized the coating. Preliminary results with human fibroblasts indicated that SF coating promote cell adhesion and growth, suggesting that SF-modified PUs appear to be suitable scaffolds for tissue engineering applications.

Novel poly(urethane-aminoamides): an in vitro study of the interaction with heparin.

In order to obtain heparin-binding polyurethanes, tertiary amino-groups have been introduced in the polymer backbone by attributing a key-role to the chain extender, i.e. substituting butanediol, commonly used in polyurethane synthesis, with a tailor-made diamino-diamide-diol. In this work a poly(ether-urethane-aminoamide) (PEU/PIME/al) was obtained with poly(oxytetramethylene) glycol 2000, 1,6-hexamethylene-diisocyanate and the new chain extender, in the molar ratio 1:2:1. The heparin binding capacity of PEU/PIME/al was evaluated with 125I labelled heparin, using for comparison the analogous polymer obtained with a diamide-diol (i.e. the poly(ether-urethane-amide) PEU/PIBLO/al), and two commercially available biomedical polyurethanes (Pellethane 2363 and Corethane). pH and ionic strength dependence of the heparin uptake were investigated by treating all the polyurethanes with solutions of 125I heparin into buffers from pH 4 to 9 or NaCl molarity from 0.0 to 1.0. The stability of the interaction with bound heparin was investigated by sequential washing treatments (PBS, 1 N NaOH, 2% SDS solution), then analysing the residual radioactivity on the materials. Results indicated that the heparin binding of PEU/PIME/al is significantly higher and more stable than that of the other polyurethanes, with a time-dependent kinetic. The interaction with heparin appears to be prevalently ionic, with the contribution of other electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), performed on human plasma with polyurethane-coated, heparinized test tubes, indicated that bound heparin maintains its biological activity after the adsorption.

In vitro stability of polyether and polycarbonate urethanes.

The in vitro structural stability of poly-ether-urethanes (PEUs) and poly-carbonate-urethanes (PCUs) was examined under strong acidic (HNO3) or alkaline (NaClO) oxidative conditions and in presence of a constant strain state. Polyurethane (PU) samples were represented by sheets solvent-cast from commercial pellets or by tubular specimens cut from commercial catheters. The specimens were strained at 100% uniaxial elongation over appropriate extension devices and completely immersed into the oxidative solutions at 50 degrees C for 7-14 days. The changes induced by the oxidative treatments were then evaluated by molecular weight analysis, tensile mechanical tests, and scanning electron microscopy. In the experiments with solvent-cast samples, the PEU Pellethane was degraded more in the alkaline oxidative conditions and mainly in the absence of an applied uniaxial stress. All the tested PCUs were, on the contrary, more affected by the acidic oxidative agent. All the PCUs proved to have overall better stability than the PEU. The susceptibility to oxidation was also dependent on the shape and bulk/surface organisation acquired by the same polymer during its processing. When the oxidative test was applied to catheters made of a PEU and a PCU, the results confirmed the better stability of poly-carbonate-urethanes.