Collagen cross-linking and resorption: effect of glutaraldehyde concentration.
Cross-linked collagen bioprostheses usually are designed to be inert and nonresorbable, resulting in fatigue and wear failure in high-stress environments. Eventual replacement of the implant, although minimizing strength loss during resorption, would result in a graft with reparative ability. Kangaroo tail tendon (KTT) partially cross-linked with glutaraldehyde (GA) was evaluated in vitro for resistance to bacterial collagenase digestion and in vivo for biocompatibility and resorbability in an intramuscular implant assay. Cross-linking was quantified by thermal denaturation studies. Incomplete cross-linking was achieved with concentrations of GA less than 0.1% (w/v). KTT cross-linked in greater than or equal to 0.05% GA were collagenase resistant being incompletely digested after 240 h. Cross-linking of KTT with low concentrations of GA resulted in partial collagenase resistance and slowed resorption.
Roe
S C
SC
Centre for Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia.
Milthorpe
B K
BK
Schindhelm
K
K
D000818:Animals; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D003094:Collagen; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D005976:Glutaral; D007614:Macropodidae; D011817:Rabbits; D013710:Tendons / Q000637:transplantation*
D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D003094:Collagen; D005976:Glutaral