Tissue spinal cord response in rats after implants of polypyrrole and polyethylene glycol obtained by plasma.
Most of the biomaterials used nowadays for the reconstruction of the spinal cord (SC) tissue after an injury, tested in animals, have obtained modest results. This work presents a study about the compatibility of two novel, non-biodegradable, semi-conductive materials, obtained by plasma polymerization: iodine-doped pyrrole (PPy/I) and pyrrole-polyethylene glycol (PPy/PEG). Both polymers, separately, were implanted in the SC tissue of rats after a transection. Prior to implantation, the elemental composition and the physico-chemical properties of polymers were studied by electron scanning microscopy, IR Spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. We used adult female Long Evans rats, subjected to SC transection. Animals were randomized to be allocated in one of the treatment groups and were killed four weeks after the lesion for histology study. Results showed that both implants were integrated to the SC tissue, as inflammatory and gliotic responses, similar to those observed in the control group, and rejection of the implant, were not evident. Moreover, the immediate effect of PPy/I or PPy/PEG in the injured SC prevented secondary tissue destruction, as compared to non-implanted control animals. In conclusion, implants of semi-conductive polymers were well-tolerated and integrated favorably to SC tissue after transection.
Departamento de Física, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Iztapalapa, Mexico, Mexico.
Roberto
R
Olayo
Camilo
C
Ríos
Hermelinda
H
Salgado-Ceballos
Guillermo Jesus
GJ
Cruz
Juan
J
Morales
Maria Guadalupe
MG
Olayo
Mireya
M
Alcaraz-Zubeldia
Ana Laura
AL
Alvarez
Rodrigo
R
Mondragon
Axayacatl
A
Morales
Araceli
A
Diaz-Ruiz
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D020007:Implants, Experimental; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000628:therapy*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011108:Polymers; D011758:Pyrroles; C067635:polypyrrole; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols