SURFACE MODIFICATION OF BIODEGRADABLE ANTI-ADHESIVE MEMBRANES WITH POLYVINYL ALCOHOL TO IMPROVE BIOCOMPATIBILITY

Highlights

Surface modification of biodegradable anti-adhesion membranes with polyvinyl alcohol improves the physical and mechanical properties and hemocompatibility of the products, but at the same time reduces the rate of biodegradation, which leads to calcification of the membranes during subcutaneous implantation in laboratory animals and requires the elimination of the negative impact.

Aim. To evaluate the effect of surface modification with polyvinyl alcohol on the biocompatibility of anti-adhesion biopolymer membranes manufactured by electrospinning.

Methods. Membranes were formed from a composition of poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) (50:50) and poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) (85:15), using 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropanol as a solvent. Dexamethasone was added to impart anti-inflammatory activity. Membranes were formed by electrospinning, after which they were surface modified with a 0.5% aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol. Physicomechanical properties, hemocompatibility, biocompatibility, and in vivo degradation were assessed.

Results. PVA modification in the dry state was accompanied by an increase in the tensile strength and a two-fold increase in Young's modulus with a comparable elongation at break. Two-minute hydration returned the modulus to its original values. The hemocompatible properties of all sample groups met the safety criterion for hemolysis (≤ 2%). The number of adherent cells in PM/DM/PVA decreased severalfold compared to PM and PM/DM, and the strain index decreased to 1.4 versus 2.33–2.42. After 14 days, PM and PM/DM demonstrated active fiber erosion, while PP/DM/PVA retained a continuous PVA layer and less pronounced surface degradation. By 3 months, PM had completely degraded, PM/DM remained as small fragments surrounded by macrophages, and a calcification contour was visualized for PM/DM/PVA.

Conclusion. Modification of the polymer membrane surface with polyvinyl alcohol eliminated residual electrostatic stress and improved the physical, mechanical, and hemocompatibility properties. However, subcutaneous implantation in laboratory animals resulted in calcification of the samples. Therefore, further research is needed to evaluate optimization of the PVA layer to reduce the susceptibility to calcification.

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