title: Histopathology of the three implanted degradable biopolymers in rabbit eye.
abstract: New straightforward applications of new biopolymers are needed in glaucoma surgery. The aim of this study was to compare biocompatibility of three biomaterials in rabbit eyes after deep sclerectomy; a collagen implant (AquaFlow) represented the "gold standard". A blend of 85:15 poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) and 70:30 poly(L-lactide-co-1,3-trimethylene carbonate) copolymers in a molar ratio of 70:30 (Bio-1 = Inion GTR membrane) and poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide with molar compositions of 50:50 (Bio-2) and 85:15 (Bio-3) were inserted into rabbits eyes. Bio-1, Bio-2 or Bio-3 caused very mild eye irritation or tissue response which was comparable to that of the collagen implant. The biodegradation time of Bio-1, Bio-2, and Bio-3 implants was over one year, 3 months and 6 months, respectively. Implant mapping by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microscopy revealed a heterogeneous distribution of degradation products throughout Bio-1, Bio-2, and Bio-3. All implants were surrounded by a very fine tissue capsule which was not visible after total degradation of the implants. The FTIR spectrum of tissue capsule around Bio-1 was almost identical to that around Bio-2 whereas significant differences were observed in the spectrum of the tissue capsule around Bio-3. Despite some differences in tissue response, all tested implants represent biologically acceptable materials for drainage devices in glaucoma surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Kuopio, 70211 Kuopio, Finland. Seppo.Ronkko@uku.fi
authors.forename: Seppo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rönkkö
authors.forename: Petri
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rekonen
authors.forename: Roope
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sihvola
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kaarniranta
authors.forename: Tuomo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Puustjärvi
authors.forename: Markku
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Teräsvirta
authors.forename: Hannu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Uusitalo
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D001704:Biopolymers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D002465:Cell Movement; D005123:Eye / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology; D011817:Rabbits; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
chemical_list: D001704:Biopolymers