Preparation and characterization of injectable fibrillar type I collagen and evaluation for pseudoaneurysm treatment in a pig model.
OBJECTIVE
Despite the efficacy of collagen in femoral artery pseudoaneurysm treatment, as reported in one patient study, its use has not yet gained wide acceptance in clinical practice. In this particular study, the collagen was not described in detail. To further investigate the potential of collagen preparations, we prepared and characterized highly purified injectable fibrillar type I collagen and evaluated its use for femoral artery pseudoaneurysm (PSA) treatment in vivo using a pig model.


METHODS
Purified fibrillar type I collagen was characterized using electron microscopy. The effect of three different sterilization procedures, ie, hydrogen peroxide gas plasma (H2O2), ethylene oxide gas (EtO), and gamma irradiation, was studied on both SDS-PAGE and platelet aggregation. Different collagen injectables were prepared (3%, 4%, and 5%) and tested using an injection force test applying a 21-gauge needle. To evaluate the network characteristics of the injectable collagen, the collagen was suspended in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at 37°C and studied both macroscopically and electron microscopically. To determine whether the collagen induced hemostasis in vivo, a pig PSA model was used applying a 4% EtO sterilized collagen injectable, and evaluation by angiography and routine histology.


RESULTS
Electron microscopy of the purified type I collagen revealed intact fibrils with a distinct striated pattern and a length<300 μm. Both SDS-PAGE and platelet aggregation analysis of the sterilized collagen indicated no major differences between EtO and H2O2 sterilization, although gamma-irradiated collagen showed degradation products. Both 3% and 4% (w/v) collagen suspensions were acceptable with respect to the force used (<50 N). The 4% suspension was selected as the preferred injectable collagen, which formed a dense network under physiologic conditions. Testing the collagen in vivo (n=5), the angiograms revealed that the PSA partly or completely coagulated. Histology confirmed the network formation, which was surrounded by thrombus.


CONCLUSIONS
Collagen injectables were prepared and EtO sterilized without major loss of structural integrity and platelet activity. In vivo, the injectable collagen formed a dense network and triggered (partial) local hemostasis. Although optimization is needed, an injectable collagen may be used as a therapeutic agent for femoral PSA treatment.
Geutjes
Paul J
PJ
Department of Biochemistry 280, NCMLS, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
van der Vliet
J Adam
JA
Faraj
Kaeuis A
KA
de Vries
Noes
N
van Moerkerk
Herman T B
HT
Wismans
Ronnie G
RG
Hendriks
Thijs
T
Daamen
Willeke F
WF
van Kuppevelt
Toin H
TH
D017541:Aneurysm, False / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004355:Drug Stability; D000431:Ethanol / Q000737:chemistry; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D005720:Gamma Rays; D006487:Hemostasis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000737:chemistry; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D011859:Radiography; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors
D024042:Collagen Type I; D000431:Ethanol; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide