title: Haemocompatibility of vitamin-E-enriched poly(D,L-lactic acid).
abstract: Poly(D,L-lactic acid) (P(D,L)LA) is a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer whose use is limited to orthopaedic applications. In fact, the mechanical properties of P(D,L)LA are not usually utilized for cardiovascular applications, as the polymer has been proven to activate both granulocyte- and platelet-causing inflammation. In order to improve P(D,L)LA haemocompatibility vitamin E (alpha-tocoferol, 10-30% (w/w)), a natural biological anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, was added during the solvent casting of P(D,L)LA film. The P(D,L)LA films obtained were then analysed using FT-IR analysis to assess vitamin E presence; polymer surface wettability and human plasma protein adsorption were measured by sessile drop test, spectrophotometric protein quantification and Western blot, respectively, and polymer haemocompatibility was assessed measuring platelet and granulocyte adhesion and whole blood coagulation. Vitamin E presence caused an increase in polymer surface wettability and human plasma protein adsorption. The combination of both effects may account for the decrease in platelet and granulocyte adhesion and for the doubling of whole blood clotting time measured onto vitamin-E-enriched P(D,L)LA compared to control P(D,L)LA. Our results indicate that vitamin E addition improves P(D,L)LA haemocompatibility, making this polymer suitable for cardiovascular application.
authors.affiliation: Human Anatomy Laboratory, Research Center for Biocompatibility Tissue Engineering, Experimental and Clinical Medicine Department, University of Eastern Piedmont A. Avogadro, Via Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara, Italy.
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Renò
authors.forename: Vincenzina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Traina
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cannas
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017155:Wettability
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001798:Blood Proteins; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D014810:Vitamin E; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide)