title: Development of a biodegradable ureteric stent: surface modification and in vitro assessment.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to develop a short bioresorbable ureteric stent and to characterize the chosen polymers with respect to surface modification, biocompatibility, and loading of a biologically active compound. As materials for the stent, poly(D,L-lactide) and poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) were chosen. Degradation experiments were carried out and analytical data were obtained by contact angle measurement, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and infrared spectroscopy in the attenuated reflection mode (FTIR-ATR). Gas loading technology was used to incorporate biologically active compounds, and biocompatibility of the polymers was assessed by in vitro cellular assays, applying measures such as cell morphology, proliferative activity, and membrane integrity. Our results indicate that surface modification of bioresorbable polymers is a suitable and efficient approach to improve the surface properties. Incorporation of biologically active compounds was possible without loss of activity, and in vitro assessment of cellular responses demonstrated the biocompatibility of the chosen polymers and modifications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Rheinisch Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brauers
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Thissen
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Pfannschmidt
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bienert
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Foerster
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Klee
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Michaeli
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Höcker
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jakse
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002455:Cell Division; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000032:analysis; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D015607:Stents; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide); D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II