ABSTRACT
Objective@#: Biodegradable poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) with a highly biocompatible surface via tantalum (Ta) ion implantation can be an innovative solution for the problems associated with current biodegradable stents. The purpose of this study is to develop a Ta-implanted PLLA stent for clinical use and to investigate its biological performance capabilities. @*Methods@#: A series of in vitro and in vivo tests were used to assess the biological performance of bare and Ta-implanted PLLA stents. The re-endothelialization ability and thrombogenicity were examined through in vitro endothelial cell and platelet adhesion tests. An in vivo swine model was used to evaluate the effects of Ta ion implantation on subacute restenosis and thrombosis. Angiographic and histologic evaluations were conducted at one, two and three months post-treatment. @*Results@#: The Ta-implanted PLLA stent was successfully fabricated, exhibiting a smooth surface morphology and modified layer integration. After Ta ion implantation, the surface properties were more favorable for rapid endothelialization and for less platelet attachment compared to the bare PLLA stent. In an in vivo animal test, follow-up angiography showed no evidence of in-stent stenosis in either group. In a microscopic histologic examination, luminal thrombus formation was significantly suppressed in the Ta-implanted PLLA stent group according to the 2-month follow-up assessment (21.2% vs. 63.9%, p=0.005). Cells positive for CD 68, a marker for the monocyte lineage, were less frequently identified around the Ta-implanted PLLA stent in the 1-month follow-up assessments. @*Conclusion@#: The use of a Ta-implanted PLLA stent appears to promote re-endothelialization and anti-thrombogenicity.
ABSTRACT
Hydroxyapatite(HA) has been extensively used as bone graft materials and tooth implant surface coating materials because of its biocompatibility and osteoconductive properties. However, as HA is intrinsically poor in mechanical properties, zirconia(ZrO2) was incorporated with HA as reinforcing phases for improvement of mechanical properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the biological activities of HA-coated zirconia through the cell proliferation test, measurements of alkaline phosphatase activity, and histologic examination. Four kinds of tested blocks were prepared according to the pore size (300-500micrometer/500-700micrometer) and the porosity (70%/90%). Cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity was measured at 1, 7, 14 days. The number of cells proliferate after 7, 14 days were significantly increased in all groups when compared with that of the first day, but there was no significant difference between the 4 groups at each time period. At the 7 day, alkaline phosphatase activities of cells cultured in 4 groups were higher than that of the first day, but there was no significant difference between the 4 groups at each time period. The human gingival fibroblast and MG 63 cell was used to evaluate the cell cytotoxicity using MTT test. The materials tested in the current study turned out to be non-cytotoxic. In histologic examination(SEM), at 1 day there were many cells attached on the surfaces of all kinds of tested blocks. The number of cells were increased over time. At the 14 day, there were more cells proliferated than 1 day and some of the pores of blocks were partially filled with the proliferated cells. The in vitro response of osteoblast-like cells to the HA-coated zirconia showed comparable effect on transformation comparable to hydroxyapatite.