Evaluation of small intestinal submucosa as scaffolds for intestinal tissue engineering.
BACKGROUND
Biodegradable scaffolds have been used for regenerating the small intestine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of small intestinal submucosa (SIS) as scaffolds for intestinal regeneration in a rat model.


METHODS
A tubular one-ply or four-ply SIS was interposed between isolated jejunal segments in rats. The scaffolds were harvested at 2, 4, and 8 weeks after implantation, and the specimens were examined grossly and histologically.


RESULTS
Significant contractions were observed in SIS scaffolds after implantation. The one-ply SIS contracted to 44% of its initial length at 2 weeks and continued to contract to 6% of its initial length at 8 weeks. The contraction of four-ply SIS scaffolds was less than that of the one-ply SIS, reaching 29% of its initial length at 8 weeks. Minimal epithelial and smooth muscular regeneration was observed in the SIS scaffolds after implantation.


CONCLUSIONS
A significant shrinkage was observed in the SIS scaffolds after implantation. Although the four-ply SIS contracted less than the one-ply SIS, neither scaffold supported significant amount of intestinal regeneration.
Lee
Min
M
Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Chang
Paul C Y
PC
Dunn
James C Y
JC
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000502:physiology; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D012778:Short Bowel Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds